Deutero-Exodus

Revelation 8:1-13

This chapter is a sobering picture of calamities to come. It's my hope that these occur after the rapture of the church. But even after that God's work and war on earth are not yet done. Undoubtedly, many who have 'sat on the fence' spiritually will turn in faith to Christ after the rapture. The years of tribulation will be starkly polarizing. There may be millions who penitently turn to Christ, but exponentially more who become all the more entrenched in unbelief and in hatred of Christ (look ahead to Rev. 9:21).

Our chapter pictures the great cataclysmic judgment that will come to the earth during these unimaginably awful days. The hail and fire of verse 7, the sea turned to blood in v. 8, and the sources of light struck in v. 12; each draw to mind the plagues of Egypt. As the book of Deuteronomy chronicles the 2nd reiteration of the law (after the book of Exodus), here in this portion of Revelation we have a veritable Deutero-Exodus. We see the preparation of God's people for their final exodus from the trials of this world.

We cannot want any of our family or neighbors to go through last days without Christ. "Holy Spirit, call through your Word, work to convict the consciences of unbelievers, and fill each of us that our witness will be free -- so to rescue people from living through days described here!"

The destruction described in this chapter is mind-numbing: the fraction 'one-third' is repeatedly applied. Three times worse than 'decimation'! A third of the earth to be burned. A third of trees, grass, the sea and its creatures annihilated. A third of rivers and springs ruined. A third of the sun, moon, and stars will be obliterated. A third of the day lightless, and (blackest hole) also the night. And, also the ghastly death of a third of humanity (see 9:18).

A history-knowing friend told me recently that some estimate loss of life in WWII at 70-some million people. If the destruction of Revelation 8 & 9 occurred today, a third of our present 6.6 billion world population would mean nearly 100 times the WWII loss of life would occur. God save us!

And yet, the fact that the destruction is still a fraction is indicative that judgment and devastation is even then incomplete. Worse will come. All will be judged. All the earth and fallen creation will be consumed. None survive outside Christ. We should hear this warning to stir our mission. There is yet time. Judgment is not yet fully poured out. People may still be saved. The 'incense burner' (or censer) used in verse 5 to pour out the hot coals of judgment from the righteous fury of the altar, is also the same censer that at the altar mingles the prayers of faith that rise pleasingly to God (vv. 4 & 5). Mercy and judgment meet at this altar!

PPaul