Prophecy – Revelation 12-17
On Sunday night, my family watched the movie 2012. It was a great disaster movies to end all disasters where the world was to be destroyed according to some Mayan legend made a long long time ago. While it was entertaining, it was quite different from what we read in Revelations.
So it is good to read Revelations to know at least what the Bible says and not what the movie says – even though we may not understand the meaning behind all the prophecies…
Bible Passage: Revelation 12-17
God Restrains Evil
One of the things that stood out for me as I read today’s passage was how God restrains evil.
The presence of pain, suffering, and evil in the world today causes people to wonder if a good God exists, and if He does, why does He not put an end to it if He can.
John’s vision of a beast rising out of the see (Rev 13:1) and causing great havoc in the world does not explain why there is evil, but it does sound an important note of encouragement: the evils of the world happen only by “permission” and those that do occur have precise limits imposed on them by God. Notice that the beats “was given authority to continue for forty-two months” (Rev 13:5, emphasis mine).
Clearly God has place restraints on evil. We have not and will not experience the full onslaught of pain and suffering that could be delivered. The restraining work of God can be seen even from the Old Testament:
- The Flood (Gen 6:5-8) – When evil corrupted the whole world, God acted with great mercy by sending the Flood. This restricted evil and made it possible a second start for earth.
- The Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9) – Again, widespread evil threatened to consume the creation. God intervened by confusing the languages of the peoples to limit their collusion in wickedness. This was a case of God preserving sinful humanity from itself.
- Job (Job 1:6-2:10) – Satan wanted to prove to God that Job’s faithfulness was merely the result of God b;lessing him. So God granted Satan limited permission to inflict suffering.
John was writing to us – the believers – to help us maintain a realistic view of good and evil in the midst of intense persecution. Today, we watched televised reports of death and disasters around the world, and as we experience pain and suffering in our own families and among our neighbours and associates, we too need to maintain a Godly perspective. God has placed limites on evil.
The very fact that we have a distaste for this reflects that we do indeed bear God’s image as His creatures.
God’s People Praise Him
In the midst of all the warnings and prophecies, we also see on clear thing – God’s People continually sing praises to Him.
We are called to rejoice because salvation, strength and the kingdom of our God has come for the evil one has been cast down (Rev 12:10-12).
The special 144,000 having the Father’s name written on their foreheads also sing and rejoice along with God (Rev 14:1-5),
The angels join in the heavenly choruses as they sing of God’s almighty works and His ways (Rev 15:1-4).
It shows me one thing – even in the midst of the toughest times in our lives, we should still find it in us to praise our God for He deserves it.
Come, let us lend our voices and hearts in praise of our God!
All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name!
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PS
Rev 4:6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and back.
Rev 15:2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire and those who have victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
Why has the sea of glass become “mingled with fire”?
Just for sharing: The sea of glass is like a mirror reflecting the glory of those standing on it. These believers who went through the tribulations and trials in Rev 12 and 13. They are the 144K redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Rev 14:4-6)
What are they doing before the throne? Holding harps ready to sing praises to God:
“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
Go through the fire. God is wating to meet us in heaven.
They were refined through fire and became fine gold. The sea of glass mingled with fire bec it is reflecting the glory of these believers redeemed by God.