September 10, 2024
People vainly think that they can do whatever they want, ignoring and even blaspheming the God who created them. But the Bible is very clear: judgment is coming for all those who ignore and resist God.
Now is a time of extraordinary mercy when opportunity is given to all to turn to Christ. And, once turning, they will find love that is hard to fathom, mercy that is completely unearned, and blessing that is overwhelming and eternal.
But for all who doggedly resist Christ, there are days of judgment coming. The Apostle John recorded a revelation of these coming days, and Chapter 14 is profound in its certainty. It speaks of Satan and his work in the final days as it grows darker and more prominent. Of evil rulers that dominate the earth and people bowing down to worship him. Of a mark on the forehead and right hand that must be taken for anyone to purchase anything, thus solidifying his domination.
But it also speaks of all those followers of Christ who refuse this mark and persevere in their faithfulness to God. Their reward will be great.
THE REAPERS
… are those who administer the judgment of God upon the unbelieving. And the judgment is so severe that John records it with these words:
So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and the blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles. (Revelation 14:19-20)
This horrific moment of judgment will be described in more detail later in the Revelation. It is undeniable and real, and it is just the beginning of an eternity of judgment for all those who reject Christ.
If you wonder, “When will all this evil in the world be over?” Do not worry. It will happen when the time is ripe and not a moment before. But a day is coming when evil will be fully banished, Satan and his minions will be completely removed, and a new heaven and earth will come with no hint of evil. And at that time, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
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