Revelation 6:15-17
15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Any reader of Christian theology and biblical commentaries will understand that the book of Revelation and interpreting its prophecies is and has been a very debated issue. Who are the riders on the four horses? What exactly are all those odd-looking and often scary creatures? What do we do with that thousand year period in chapter 20? But, here at the end of chapter 6, we see something that we cannot debate, though many people do not give it enough thought.
Revelation 6 includes the opening of a series of seals. My best understanding is that this is an indication of the moving of human history toward its ultimate and God-honoring conclusion. God’s kingdom will come and his will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. The first five seals show that, as history moves forward from when John was seeing it, the world experiences conquest, war, hunger, and death. The church will experience persecution, but the Lord comforts the persecuted and promises justice. And when the sixth seal is opened, we see apocalyptic upheaval as the Lord himself does justice. This justice terrifies a world full of cowering and godless leaders who have never thought that they would be called to account for their decisions.
Notice in the verses above what most terrifies the leaders. These strong and powerful men are hiding in holes in the ground, begging to be invisible, because they cannot bear to see the face of the Lord on his throne, nor can they bear—and this has my attention today—the wrath of the Lamb. Something about the sight of Jesus, the Lamb of God, is so terrifying to this watching world that they would rather be buried alive in a ditch than to face what the Son of God is bringing.
The Lamb has wrath. There is a Christmassy thought for you. This is the same person whose birth we celebrate this season. This is the one who came in sweetness and gentleness to give the greatest display of the love of God ever seen. Yet, as we learn more about the Lord Jesus, we also must grasp that he has every bit of the wrath and just fury of God as we saw it in the Old Testament. Jesus hates sin. Jesus will do justice. Jesus will return. Jesus will judge. Jesus has wrath.
So, this day, as many of us think about the first coming of the Savior, let us remember that that coming is not the only coming of the Savior. Jesus awaits the time of his return. When that return happens, the justice of God will be done. Make no mistake, this will not be the Son of God sadly watching as his mean Father does all the judging. No, Jesus will be working hand-in-hand with the Father to pour out the wrath of the Godhead over all those who have rejected his grace, rebelled against his authority, and corrupted his creation.
God is love. Jesus is God. The Father is God. The Holy Spirit is God. God is just. The Father, Son, and Spirit are just. This is one God, unified in his eternal perfection. That perfection includes the sweetness of the babe in the manger and the wrath of that same Savior returning to crush those who have never submitted to his rightful rule.
How should we think about this? It is frightening. Yet, it is the same message that the Bible has always presented. Sin brings death. God brings both justice and grace. The best way to respond is to get under the grace of God before the Lamb returns in wrath. Also, it is wise to respond by understanding that this is an accurate picture of Jesus, the real Jesus. God also intends that this picture comfort a persecuted church and call a rebellious world to repentance.
Lord, as I see this picture of your promised justice, I am reminded that my picture of you must be adjusted to be accurate. You are merciful. You are just. You will forgive all who come to you. You will punish those who refuse and who continue to rebel. Your word will not be unfinished. History will conclude as you have promised. I ask that you help me to see you as you are. I ask that you help me properly praise you and submit to you. I ask that you have mercy, rescuing many, before this great day of your return comes. I ask that you help your church to be a strong and faithful witness to your glory. Let us love you this season as we remember the first Advent of the Savior. Let us also be comforted and challenged remembering that the second Advent will be powerful.
Pastor Travis Peterson 