S) "20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her."
Revelation 18:20 (NASB)
O) We're coming close to the end of this narrative, and eventually the end of everything. In this chapter, the identity of Babylon is not clear. Opinions over the millennia have varied, but when we read through vv.2-5, it is very clear that her destruction is not something to lament. Having said that, wicked men lamented her destruction, because of the personal loss it meant to them. However, the voice from heaven warns the people of God to get out of the city, lest they participate in her sins and receive her judgment as well. Those who lamented this destruction, were the merchants who were yoked to her in wickedness. However, we are also warned, as Christians, not to be unevenly yoked, because wickedness and righteousness have nothing to do with each other. God's people were warned to distance themselves from this city, because of the overwhelming temptations to participate in her sins. Finally, when God's judgment was executed, the wording is very specific. The judgment God pronounced was for His people, against the wicked city. Our Father in heaven does not want us to be drawn into sins. Jesus said that stumbling blocks would come, but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! (Matthew 18:7). So, when God executes His righteous judgment against such men, those who are placing stumbling blocks that cause others to fall, then His judgment is also on behalf of those who have stumbled on account of the wickedness of others.
A) Recently, I learned of a term I hadn't known, although the concept isn't necessarily new. The word is "imprecatory," and it was used to describe psalms in the Old Testament, where men like David would ask for God's wrath and judgment to come upon their enemies. As a Christian, as a man who has been forgiven so much, it can be difficult to grapple with these type of psalms. Similarly, the verse above comes across as an instruction. The angel of God clearly says to rejoice over the destruction of people - people who need Jesus. The reality, though, is that there have always been, and there will continue to be, those who simply will not repent and believe. Whether or not they are even able, is some cause for debate. However, whether they "can" or not doesn't change the fact, the reality, that there are millions upon millions who will not repent from their evil deeds. When I think about specific things, like the sex trafficking industry, or the creation of illegal drugs, or I think of brutality in the name of greed, these are unspeakably unjust. However, they are not hypothetical problems, but hey have real, living and breathing, people who are driving these evil things forward. There would be no prostitutes if there were no johns, but how many less would there be if there were no pimps? There would be no cocaine if there were no users, but how much less would there be if there were no cartels? There would be no sweat shops if there were no consumers, but how many less would there be if there were no evil business owners? The problems of these kinds of evils are very complex, but I cannot escape the realization that there are real lives involved, not only the victims' lives, but the lives of the people who are propagating these kinds of wickedness. As much as I desire, just as my Father does, for none to perish, but for all to come to repentance, the reality is that it will not happen. There will continue to be myriads who will choose to continue in their sins, and continue to draw others to join them in their sins, even if they are confronted with the truth of the gospel, the reality of God's love, and the free offer for salvation by putting their lives in submission to Jesus as King. So, what then? Admittedly, I have a very hard time accepting this, emotionally. The one comfort I really have, is that it is not up to me to decide. I don't have to try and figure out if a person will never repent. I don't have to determine if there is still hope for them or not. God is perfect. I trust that and believe it completely. He sees the hearts of men. He declares the end from the beginning. He, and only He, is perfectly able and just to judge. The real issue at hand, is that there is wickedness happening. I hope and pray, that the solution for ending that evil, more often than not, will be that the perpetrators of wickedness will repent and turn to Jesus as Lord. But, if they won't do that, I still want evil to end. I still want my children to not fall over a stumbling block that someone put before them. I still want there to be an end to immorality. And so, I will rejoice when God ends it. I hope and pray that it ends because they embrace the gospel. But, I will also choose to rejoice in the destruction of evil, trusting that God has perfect judgment, even if I lament that there was no other way. I can mourn the loss of people, while still rejoicing that their evil deeds have finally ceased with God's final judgment.
P) Father God, I trust You in every way. I am so grateful that I receive Your mercy. I confess that I still need forgiveness every single day. I am still in need of Your patience and the blood of Jesus for justification. Thank You for my open eyes and ears, that I know and have accepted the gospel. I don't know all the ways Your grace is at work in me, but I know that it is at work in me. Father God, I pray that same grace will work in the lives of those who do not know You. Save them all, Lord! My heart is like Yours, and I don't desire for anyone to die in their sins. Open eyes to see and ears to hear. Soften hearts to the gospel, Lord. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and save every single one who will accept Your lordship. Bring into Your kingdom, all who will enter. I trust that You are at work in this way, Lord. Let me be obedient as a worker, as a citizen of Your kingdom. Put me to work, Father God. Let my heart forever be soft in this way, Lord. I pray that my heart is never hardened toward those who do not know You, and especially not toward those who die in their sins. It is a terrifying thing to fall guilty into the hands of the Living God. Let me do nothing, but mourn the loss of people, created in Your image, who die without repenting of their evil ways. However, may I never lose sight of the fact that Your judgment is perfect, and Your judgment of the evils of this world are for my sake. You judge wickedness for the sake of Your children, and for the sake of my children. Thank You, Lord God, that You do not let evil deeds go unpunished. In Jesus Christ, that punishment has been taken for me, and for everyone who will submit to Your lordship. But, to those who will not allow that Jesus takes their punishment, they will by no means go unpunished. You will remove those who place stumbling blocks. I am grateful to You, for being a righteous judge, perfect in timing, able to see the hearts of men with clarity, and who does not miss any evil deeds done on the earth. Everything is seen by You, Lord God Almighty. Let Your will be done, and may my heart remain soft. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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