Then I heard a loud voice from the temple say to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God’s anger on the earth.” So the first angel poured his bowl on the earth, and a nasty and terrible sore appeared on the people who had the beast’s mark and worshipped its image. The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and the sea turned into blood, like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned into blood. Then I heard the angel of the waters say,
“You are just, holy one, who is and was,
because you have given these judgments.
They poured out the blood of saints and prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve it!”
And I heard the altar say,
“Yes, Lord God Almighty, your judgments are true and just.” (Revelation 16:1-7, CEB)
I have a love/hate relationship with Revelation. Many today read it as a road map to the return of Christ, but it is a book of hope to those suffering when it was written. It is not a book of things to come, but a story to show hope for those who are following Christ and living how God has called us to live.
We need to see these passages as giving hope to those who stand against the norm and lift up justice and peace for all, because God is with them.
Stand firm. Knowing God is with you.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 