The Gathering Storm of God's Judgment
26 Oct 2005
A northeaster that drew energy from the remnants of Hurricane Wilma battered New England and the mid-Atlantic yesterday with 20-foot waves and winds up to 70 mph. The powerful storm reminded many of the Perfect Storm of October 1991, which inspired a book and movie. The real perfect storm, however, is yet to come.
In Revelation 6:1, John the Revelator turns from the glorious scene in heaven (Revelation 4-5) to face the future of the world—“the things which shall be hereafter” (Revelation 1:19). The first thing he hears is “the noise of thunder.” The sound of thunder serves as a warning of an approaching storm. Much of the rest of Revelation is devoted to the coming storm of God’s judgment upon the earth. As it is with a northeaster or hurricane, there is nothing we can do to prevent the approaching storm of God’s judgment from happening.
Many Christians see the Book of Revelation as an escape hatch. They believe its message is that the church will be snatched out of the world before end time suffering begins. Contrary to this popular belief, the Book of Revelation actually guarantees suffering, not an escape from it. Its real message is to assure us of God’s sovereignty over all suffering, Christ’s presence with us in the midst of suffering, and an eternal reward for those who faithfully endure suffering.
Although the church will suffer through the seal (Revelation 6:2-8:1) and trumpet (Revelation 8:2-14:20) judgments of the Book of Revelation, it will be raptured before the pouring out of Revelation’s bowl judgments—God’s pouring out of His wrath upon a Christ-rejecting world (Revelation 15:1-18:24). All who reject Christ, however, will be caught in the perfect storm of God’s judgment from which none will survive.
We Floridians know all about storm preparedness—all the things we have to do to batten down the hatches and ready ourselves for an approaching storm. As important as it is for Floridians to prepare for forecast hurricanes, it is far more important that all men now prepare for the foretold, forthcoming, inescapable and perfect storm of God’s judgment.
Don Walton
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