As we move on in the book of Revelation, we see God’s judgment on the earth begin to unfold and it is not a pretty picture! As each of the seven seals on the scroll in Jesus’ hand is broken, another awful judgment is revealed. War, bloodshed, famine, death, natural disasters. Things are going to get worse and worse as the wrath of God is poured out against the godlessness and wickedness of those who refused to believe Him and chose to go their own way. (Romans 1)
It may seem like the things described here in Revelation are already happening, but future judgment will be much worse. As the saying goes, “We haven’t seen anything, yet.” In that day, people will finally see that choosing their own way was a terrible mistake with horrible consequences. They will suddenly be afraid of God, whom they have chosen to deny, and of the Savior they claimed not to need. They will cry out for the mountains and rocks to fall on them to hide them from the Lord. But there is no hiding from God.
They cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?” – Revelation 6:16-17 NLT
It is a bold and prideful act to choose to deny the Creator despite the evidence all around you. (Romans 1:20) It is foolish to assume that a holy God will tolerate man’s sin forever. It is also misguided to assume that somehow you can accomplish your own salvation. God provided only one way to be made right before Him. One way to escape His judgment. The only way is Jesus. (John 14:6)
As we begin to see the picture of God’s wrath revealed, we do not need to be afraid if we have put our faith in Jesus for salvation. At some point before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth, Jesus Himself will come and rescue us. Believers will not be here to experience the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Only the people who stubbornly refused to believe Him and to put their faith in His Son for their salvation.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. – Romans 2:5 NIV
The first seven seals are only the beginning of God’s wrath. The Bible makes it clear that God will not allow sin to go unpunished. But because of His great love, He made a way for us to escape the ultimate judgment of sin. Once you put your faith in Jesus for salvation, you do not have to fear the wrath of God because Jesus took it all for you on the cross.
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) – Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31) But it is a wonderful thing to be held in the arms of a loving Savior! We are saved by grace, so we have nothing to fear!
If you have not yet asked Jesus to be your Savior, what are you waiting for?
