Tuesday 12th December - Revelation 9

Today’s chapter is Revelation 9

Tom writes:

A continuation of chaotic visions. The layering effect of the revelation adds intensity. The numbers convey certainty. But coming at it on this slightly weary morning, it all feels a bit baffling. Let’s just recap on where we are; we’re still watching the activity caused by the seventh seal. These are the seals that release God’s great plan to win back the earth. The lamb is the only one who is worthy to open them, and he is doing so in fulfilment of the long-held prayers of his people. The trumpet blasts that accompany the opening of the seventh seal remind us of the walls of Jericho falling down. The locusts and the plagues remind us of the Exodus from Egypt. This thing we are reading is the climax of the victory of God. It may contain destruction. It may contain woe. But it is, in fact, a final act of liberation, a wilderness wandering coming to an end.

For many of us, there may be a gag reflex at the idea that God - our God of love - is the cause of so much pain. We like to think that God is a bit coochie coochie. But the big picture of liberation helps us swallow and then digest this hearty meal. There is a huge evil force encamped upon the earth. He is a star fallen from heaven. He is the boss of the Abyss. His intention is dire and his power is grave. This beast - who we see in many forms in the next few chapters - is like Pharoah on steroids, like Philistines on a power up. His prime goal is to make people worship idols (v20). His power over people is to keep them feeling proud. They love the work of their own hands, they do what they want, how they want, when they want. And this pride makes them blind to the compassion and rule of God. And so - just like in Egypt - God releases plagues to expose the impotence of the idols. Each woe attacks a widely held idol; the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life. Each woe is measured and restrained; enough to expose the impotence but not so much that everything crashes down. It is all enacted by the lamb to achieve freedom for his people and to offer repentance to those “of the world”. But tragically, very few repent. And that should steel us for these days. We need to pray for steel in our stomachs to stay humble before our God and to keep on keeping on when so many refuse to repent.

Question for reflection

How do you respond emotionally to this passage? How could you meet God in the midst of those emotions?