How do you feel about the wrath of God? Embarrassed? Frightened? If we’re honest, we may feel uncomfortable talking about it. I would tend to prefer to talk about the love of God! But God’s wrath does not diminish His love, but rather it helps us to understand His love more clearly. Wrath and love are not opposites.
Imagine you saw a child you love being hurt by someone. Wouldn’t wrath rise up within you, and your love for that child would lead you to act against the one harming them.
God is perfectly loving. His love is a holy love, that means He cannot tolerate evil, He must punish it, otherwise He would not be perfectly loving.
Barnabas Fund raise awareness of persecution, here’s an entry from their prayer diary:
Islamist militants affiliated to Al Qaeda killed 26 men at a church service in Banwa province, western Burkina Faso. The militants raided the Sunday morning service and ordered the women and children to leave before shooting the men. They also set fire to houses and livestock.
If you were in Burkino Faso, surely you would be asking “How long O Lord before you will judge and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10). Perhaps the reason we in the West struggle more with the idea wrath of God is that we have not faced much persecution for our faith. Remember who is the book of Revelation written to, Christians who are called to patiently endure, Christians who are facing prison and death, Christians who are facing false teaching, Christians who are tempted to compromise. God wants such Christians to know, His wrath is coming, he’s not forgotten them, keep going because the day is coming when the Lord God will destroy all evil forever.
Maybe for you and I, our struggle is different. But don’t you long for the day when there is no more suffering? No more sickness? No more sin? There is so much hurt in the world, don’t you long for the day when God will get rid of it all? Don’t you ask, “How long will it go on?” And the answer God gives in Revelation 15 is “not forever!” His wrath is coming. If you’re one of God’s people, God’s wrath is not something to be embarrassed about, but to rejoice in! He cares! His wrath shows His love for His people.
In chapter 15 we see that God’s wrath is even something to sing about! Imagine the scenes in Ukraine if Putin is finally defeated! The singing on the streets. Here in Revelation 15, it’s the anticipation of God’s wrath being poured out that gets His redeemed people singing. They are singing song of Moses, this was a song of deliverance from their enemies (Exodus 15), and the song of Lamb, that is because Jesus’ enemies defeated.
Next John sees the 7 angels receiving 7 golden bowls, what are these? Our Psalm for today (141) reminds us that our prayers are like incense rising up before God, and in Revelation 5v8 we saw the golden bowls were the prayers of God’s people. Here in 15:7 we have another reminder, another encouragement, that every prayer of every Christian is heard. Perhaps we’ve wondered, when will God answer? Think of all the prayers of our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters across the world, crying for justice. The cries of the martyrs in ch6 how long? The prayers are answered as the same golden bowls now pour out the wrath of God (v7). We will see what happens as God answers by pouring out His wrath in Revelation 16, but for now, remember God’s wrath is a good thing, it means justice will come. If you belong to Jesus, God’s wrath has already been poured out for you. It was poured onto Jesus instead of you, you are safe.
Heavenly Father, thank you that your love is a holy love, thank you that you will not allow sin and evil to continue unpunished. Thank you that Jesus took the punishment for me, that I need not fear your wrath personally. Thank you that one day all those who belong to Jesus will rejoice at your justice being done. Please may this encourage our persecuted brothers and sisters today. Please also have mercy on (names), please may they turn to Jesus, so that they will not face your wrath. Amen
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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