Righteous and Merciful
Observations from the Structure and Context of this Passage:
This passage describes a series of judgements, each one more severe. There is a sense of escalation here.
But notice that, in each judgment, only “one third” of any given thing is affected. There is an emphasis on restraint in these judgments.
Lastly, notice how the judgments are interrupted by an eagle crying out a triple-warning “to those who dwell on the earth” because of the remaining judgments. So things are about to get worse.
Also note that in the immediate context—Revelation 9:1-5—an angel is offering incense to God, which represents the prayers of the saints. And then the angels blow their trumpets. So these judgments are in answer to our prayers.
Emphasis
What do these judgments picture? On the one hand, they picture God’s faithfulness to do justice in response to the prayers of His people. Already in Revelation 1-3, John and the churches he’s writing to are going through “tribulation.” (1:9, 2:9-10, 22)
We pray for God’s will to be done. We pray for justice and for peace. Here we begin to see God’s justice being done. Peace will reign, in answer to our prayers, through the judgments which Christ will oversee.
But on the other hand, this passage has a clear sense of restraint, yet also clear escalation and warnings. Why? So that those who experience these restrained-judgments will repent and turn to Jesus. (See Revelation 9:20)
Last week, we saw in Revelation 5 that Jesus will perfectly execute God’s righteous plan. Now we begin to see that perfect, righteous, plan being executed. And it is a plan that contains both “the kindness and the severity of God.” (Rom 11:22) We see Christ answering our prayers for justice, but in a way that continues to call sinners to repentance.
Argument of Revelation 8:6-13
The judgements of Christ are righteous and merciful.
We have always wondered how can God punish wickedness, and also let the wicked repent? How can God be both righteous—that is doing what is right—and also justify the unrighteous—which sounds wrong? (Rom 3:26)
But this is precisely what Jesus accomplished on the cross. On the cross, Jesus absorbed God’s righteous judgment against sinners, but He also mercifully reconciled sinners to God.
Or we wonder, How can God judge the wicked and all injustice, and yet remain the God who is Love?
In Revelation 8:6-13, we see both things being done. God is righteously judging the wicked, answering the prayers of His persecuted people. But God is doing it in such a way that the wicked are shown mercy, being encouraged to repent.
Good News
This is a vision of God’s future judgment. But it is for God’s people today. It is for us to know that Christ’s judgments are righteous and merciful.
When we believe the Gospel, we believe the account of Christ’s life, death, and life, and what that means about us—we are justified, saved, redeemed, adopted, and so much more!
But to believe the Gospel means to believe in Jesus; that is, to believe Jesus. So that when Jesus says, Follow Me, we will. And even when we don’t understand where Jesus is leading us, or why, or how… we will still follow.
The future holds many mysteries for all of us, and much pain. Even before the angels and the trumpets appear, God's people will have many “tribulations.”
Yet we can know that Christ’s judgments, decisions, plans, and ways, are righteous and merciful. “The ways of the LORD are right.” (Hosea 14:9)
Application
The question of discipleship is: Is Christ’s Way good? Is the path He’s leading me on going to be right—I want to walk it—and merciful—I can walk it? Is what He’s asking of me today, what I truly want to obey?
This vision helps us see: The way of Christ is right. Where He is leading is good. And so, why is [whatever is happening] happening? It may be in answer to prayer, or it may be to prevent further harm, or it may be both.
And though we cannot always see this in our lives, we can see it in this vision. Christ will do what is right, and show mercy, both, always.
Follow Him.
Prayer
LORD God, in this strange text of Scripture, I glimpse Your ways. I see You answering prayers. I see You showing mercy still. These are things I have always loved about You. These are things that every day I wonder about. Help me to trust in You. To know You and Your ways. To not be afraid. To follow.
You lead, Lord Jesus. Help me follow. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
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