Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
We have noted previously in our studies of “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1) that many are uncomfortable with the concept of God’s wrath. Revelation 15:1 returns to this topic: “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” This is the last in a series of three signs; the first pertains to Israel, the nation which gave all of us the Messiah (Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17), and the second references Satan and his evil attacks (Revelation 12:3-4, 7-17). This “sign” of “the wrath of God” is “great and marvellous,” a designation used in Scripture just one other time – in verse 3, to signify the “works” of God. Thus, this final earthly expression of God’s wrath is consistent with all of the “works” that reveal His character. In no way, then, is this wrath to be looked upon as a lesser or less desirable attribute of God. It is an essential aspect of His nature, and it is necessary – sadly necessary – as He deals effectively with the insensate sin of the final rebellion. The expression “filled up” means finished or completed and indicates that in a compressed period of time Jesus will fulfill His righteous justice. Why, then, are so many uncomfortable with good finally triumphing over evil? Perhaps it is that we have never adequately considered the only other option – the ultimate triumph of evil over good, which would mean the end of God Himself. Let us reject that wicked (and impossible) outcome and instead “run the way of [God’s] commandments” (Psalm 119:32a).