He brings Justice

In our country we are blessed that the government seeks to provide justice for our citizens. Laws are created and procedures are followed to assure each person in each situation is treated fairly. But it's not perfect. 

Only Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, the King of Kings, will provide perfect justice. Final judgment starts here in chapter 6. 

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” (Revelation 6:1) 

In the last chapter we saw those who follow Jesus will reign with Him. Here we see what that means. As Jesus opens the seals on the scroll, His purpose is executed by the four living creatures. It is not something He does all alone but He works together with His creation. In His first coming, it is the same. He became a baby working through Mary. He accomplished His will using Joseph, the shepherds and the magi. They also agreed and served the Lord to accomplish His purposes. This is what it means to reign with Christ.

We also can agree to serve the Lord today to accomplish His purposes. He is still using us as we listen and obey Him. 

“How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10) 

The martyrs who were slain because of their testimony and devotion to God are praying for justice. They know only true justice comes from Christ. They are asked to continue to wait.  We too must trust the holy and true God for justice. We must be willing to wait for it to come from Him alone. Justice will not be quick, but it will come.

In His first coming, both Simeon and Anna, true followers of God, rejoiced in seeing baby Jesus because they were trusting God for their salvation their whole lives (see Luke 2:21-40). Their waiting produced joyful worship.  

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Revelation 6:15-17)

When justice does come, what do the inhabitants of the earth do? All of them try to hide from God because they are not ready. They do not repent. They refuse to worship or obey.

They now understand none of them can withstand God's wrath. Their riches cannot buy their way out.  Their political power and military cannot force their way out. Their charisma cannot their charm their way out. Their poverty and slavery cannot excuse them. They see they stand powerless against Him so they run and hide.

Trying to control God is nothing new. Herod tried it with baby Jesus too (see Matthew 2:13-16). But no one can frustrate God's will. God will have His way. 

Jesus will bring judgment, of that we can be sure. But we have a choice. 

• We can wait expectantly for justice to come from Him. Or we can try to take revenge ourselves.

• When we sin we can come to Him and repent. He will always forgive. He has already paid the price for every sin! Or we can run away and hide. 

But there is nowhere to run. Jesus will bring justice on His whole creation. Will we be ready? That's up to us.

Beloved, let me be like Mary, always ready to be Your maidservant. Let me come to You, and to Your children with humble confession and repentance when I sin. Help me to be ready for when You come. I don't want to hide from You. I want to be among those who come into Your light. It is not always easy so fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Again and again and again.