S) " 7 And I heard the altar saying, 'Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.'"
Revelation 16:7 (NASB)
O) Recently, I have learned of an older view of Revelation, called amillennialism. Essentially, it teaches that the millennial reign of Christ, described in Revelation 20, is not literal, but that it describes the current church age. Along with this interpretation, there is a partial-preterist view of Revelation, that views most of the prophecies of the book as already fulfilled (notably, by the Jewish war in 70 AD, and the destruction of the temple. With those two views together, it would be believed that this entire chapter has quite possibly already come to pass (the seven plagues, the bowls of wrath). This would all be in contrast to most of what I have been taught (that the Great Tribulation, the beast, the antichrist, the plagues, and the millennial reign are all future events). Back to the verse at hand, it comes from the midst of the third bowl of wrath, when the rivers are turned to blood. An angel declares that the punishment fits the crime (vv.5-6), and the response from Heaven is in the verse above.
A) To be sure, my eschatology is not settled, in the least. But, it is of the utmost importance that, when I read through any parts of Revelation (which is prophetic, apocalyptic, symbolic, and mysterious), that I am really focusing on the indisputable truths that are there, because those will be the most applicable to me now, and in the future, however that future looks. No matter what the future holds, between now and the final judgment, I can rest assured that the LORD is true and righteous in His judgments. In all likelihood, I'll never see the days described in this chapter (whether they have already taken place, or I am dead before they come). Still, I will certainly be in the presence of the Almighty God, and He will judge. Therefore, on my judgment day, I have a feeling God will not be too concerned with my eschatology. No, I think it's a much more important thing to be settled, as to whether or not I live in Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Whenever my day of judgment is, if I am found alive in Jesus Christ, then God's wrath for my sins will have been satisfied at the cross, because my Redeemer will have already paid the price. So, more important than resolving my views of the end-times, is that I resolve my views of the now-times. Right now, I must remain in Christ Jesus, walking in the Holy Spirit, living for His glory, and seeking to do His will.
P) Father, You are true and righteous in Your judgments. You are holy and pure. There are still, and probably will always be (at least while I am in my imperfect flesh) many things I do not understand. But I am thankful, that the most important things have already been revealed. So, do not let me become distracted in fruitless debate. It seems that my views on the end-times, and how to view the book of Revelation are much less important than simply being obedient to Jesus Christ. I wasn't redeemed so that I could debate eschatology. I was redeemed to love, heal, feed, share, and give witness to the gospel. Let me remain focused on my life in the here and now. Be glorified in my life, and let Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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