For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Rev. 16
A thought occurred to me while reading through these seven plagues. These plagues are God’s just judgments on humanity. They fell on all who rejected God, opting instead to serve the beast. When the various plagues fell on these people, they blasphemed God, refusing to repent or give Him glory. I heard some familiar statements in my head as I read that. “Why do bad things happen to good people?” And, “What kind of God would allow such evil to happen?” Or, “If God is good, why does He allow these terrible things to happen?” However you want to phrase it, it is all the same thing. It is a refusal to admit that we are all evil and deserving of God’s just judgment.
So these people cursed God because they were insistent in their belief that they were good apart from God. They refused to acknowledge that they deserved God’s judgment. It is only when the knowledge that God is good and we are not moves us to humbly turn from our wicked ways and lean into God’s righteousness, giving Him the glory, that He in His great mercy protects us from His judgment.
Rev. 17-18
Babylon – all that opposes God – and all those who find their authority and power in and through her, will fall because their authority and power is illegitimate. In other words, they are not God. The angel told John, “These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.” (Rev. 17:14a). Yet another angel said of Babylon, “She will be burned up with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is mighty.” God’s sovereignty is undeniable. We either submit to that truth now, or we learn it the hard way later
Rev. 19
This is the second time the book of Revelation states that Jesus will rule the nations with an iron rod. The first was as the Son of the woman. At that time He was caught up to God, protected from the dragon that waited to devour Him. This time He is on a white horse, riding out to defeat the beast and its armies for good. One Messiah; two appearances. What really interests me, though, is that comment about ruling the nations with an iron rod.
That comment gives me the image of a mighty, powerful, very strict king who forces everyone into subjection to Him. Honestly, the connotation from a human perspective isn’t a great one. Then again, perspective is everything, and depending on which side of that iron rod you are on, a very different image could come to mind. The CSB notes an alternate translation for the word, “rule”. This word could also read, “shepherd”. So now my mind goes to the 23rd Psalm, where it says, “…your rod and your staff – they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4b). In the hand of the Good Shepherd, that iron rod becomes a sure defense against my enemies. Thus, the only ones being forced into subjection are those who refused to acknowledge Him as King in the first place.