Day 361

Nehemiah 7:4-8:18, Revelation 18:17-19:10, Psalm 148:1-6

Destruction and anger never seem to sit happily with us when we read them in the Bible. Especially in the New Testament. In this part of Revelation we have been reading a great deal of it and it is hard to explain at times.

As the rejoicing begins though, we are reminded of what the judgement is all about - throughout Revelation God has been judging the wicked and deceitful ways of the earth. This is the God of justice who will not stand by when wrong is done and not repented of. For all who repent of their sins and kneel before the cross there is forgiveness and freedom, but here Babylon has continued its wicked ways and refused the offer of forgiveness.

John sees rejoicing and hallelujahs next because the judgement is coming to and end, the representative of all that is wrong with the world (Babylon) has been finished and Christ’s reign will continue for all time. This is the point in history where all suffering will cease, where pain will be gone and all who have accepted Christ as Lord and saviour will be united with him for all eternity in ceaseless praise. Let the hallelujahs begin.

The idea of Christ coming again and the peace that will follow is something that I long for. Is it something that you await with eager expectation?