As we looked at Rev 16 this past Sunday I keyed in on a couple of verses: Rev 16:9, 11, 21 & then 15
I started out by asking: What are the key elements of the gospel? If someone asks you "How do I become a Christ follower?" what do you say? Typically we talk about 1) It's a free gift or you cannot earn salvation, 2) Need to understand your need (e.g. You have sinned, are separated from God) and repent (stop running from God and turn back to him), 3) confess your need and 4) receive Jesus. Typically I use Romans 6:23 (For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord). What we earn (wages) from what we do (sin, typically we talk about breaking the 10 commandments) is death (more than physical it is spiritual and ultimate separation from God). If we try to get to God in our own strength we will crash and burn. When you have the word "but" in a sentence that means that whatever comes after it can negate what comes before, so there is hope. A gift is not something you earn, but rather receive. The gift of God is eternal life (living with God in a restored relationship forever) through Christ Jesus. The question and challenge I ask people is which side of the canyon ("but") are they on? Have they placed there trust in Jesus or are they still earning the wages of sin? You cannot be in the middle you are on one side or the other. Pretty standard gospel presentation...I then asked the congregation if when they are sharing the gospel if someone where to say "Yes, I want to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior" if they would say "Now hold on...are you sure? Have you counted the cost?" It is a free gift that costs you everything...you have to die to be reborn...you have to die to self and live to Christ. See Luke 14:25-33, Matthew 8:18-22. You can't go around saying: "I have Jesus in my back pocket" and keep doing whatever you want.
I asked this because as I looked at Rev 16 I wrestled with verses 9, 11 & 21 and wondered why aren't they repenting? God is pouring out his judgment on them and giving them one last chance to turn back to him. He has tried everything else now he is trying to wake them up one last time. I think part of the answer is that God isn't acting the way they think he should...they want to put him in a box, so they can control him and make him serve them...this was the mistake that was made at the Tower of Babel but that is another message down the road...as I wrestled with that I wondered "How many Christians get angry/upset with God for the same reason?" How often do we loose sight of the big picture and start to think God isn't faithful? Back in Rev 6 the saints cry out "How long O'Lord?" and they are told to wait...and now in Rev 16 we see that God is faithful/true and just. In his timing, not ours he moves. Verses 5 & 6 talk about God's covenantal faithfulness and the absolute reliability of his deeds/judgment. Is God faithful? Yes, even when it seems like he isn't! If you have counted the cost you know and understand that he is worth everything (see Matthew 13:44-46, Mark 10:17-31).
Verse 15 comes in as a warning to believers to persevere. Nakedness = judgment (OT ref: Isaiah 20:1-4, Ezek. 16:36ff, 23:10, 29, so press on to the finish...waiting upon the Lord. Go back and read the messages/warnings to the 7 churches in chapters 2-3.
In the midst of this scene what are believers supposed to be doing? Persevering, continuing to be witnesses...the bowls poured out will turn the world upside down ( the earthquake doesn't affect one city/country, but rather the entire world is shaken). In the midst of this believers are to live knowing that this world is a close to hell as they will ever get. That means living grace filled lives totally dependent upon God continuing to be his witnesses no matter the cost.
