January 19, Revelation 9
Parents of a strong-willed child know the frustration of being unable, despite one’s best effort, to change another person’s unacceptable behavior. Judges and officers of the law know it, too, with repeat offenders who continue to commit crimes, even after they’ve been to prison. When they’re deemed incorrigible, they are sentenced to life without parole. It’s sad to see anyone who will not listen to authority and learn from unpleasant consequences.
This portion is brimful of awful images, symbolic representations of the wrath of God being poured out on the disobedient. At the fifth trumpet, an angel opens the bottomless pit. Smoke darkens the sun and the air, and from the pit come ferocious locusts/scorpions/horses led by one whose name means Destroyer. They torment the people so that their victims wish to die, but cannot. Then horses with fire, smoke and sulfur coming from their mouths are released to kill one-third of the population.
Without knowing with certainty the exact meaning of the symbolic pictures, we could imagine the survivors of such terrible calamity would be eager to change their ways and show respect for God. But the wonder of it is that after all the suffering and terror, the rest of the people John saw in the vision did not change. They would not turn from worshipping the idols they had made. They were unwilling to repent of murder, sorcery, immorality and theft. Despite
warning, suffering and witnessing such destruction, they were incorrigible.
Paul said in Romans that God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. When kind patience does not work, corrective discipline is applied. When we persist in rebellion and disobedience, even after suffering rough consequences for our sinful behavior, we’re like these impenitent ones who would not let go of their idols or change their ways.
Somewhere along the way, unruly children, hardened criminals and unrepentant sinners have to learn a hard lesson. It’s better to learn and yield before our stubbornness destroys us.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—January 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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