Ep 500 - Revelation 8:8-13

With the trumpet judgments, John is given a vision of the wrath of God as it is poured out on the fallen world, in a succession of devastating supernatural events. And accompanying their arrival, John hears the sound of a voice calling out, "Woe, woe, woe." This will be a sorrowful time, filled with unrelenting pain and suffering upon the unbelieving world. And while we may find these judgments to be harsh, we must never forget that they are anything but undeserved. God has shown patience on sinful mankind for centuries, allowing them to continue to reject His sovereignty as God, and to refuse His gracious offer of salvation and forgiveness of sin made possible through His Son's sacrificial death. Even during the tribulation, while some will respond to God's offer and place their faith in Christ, the vast majority of people living during that time will worship the Antichrist instead. They will become part of an apostate church that no longer acts as the bride of Christ, but the sad victims of the great prostitute's seduction. So, God brings on the people of earth the hard-earned and long-overdue retribution for their rebellion against Him. For those of us, who as followers of Christ, have long wondered when God will do something about the injustice and immorality in the world, John paints a vivid picture of that very time. It will be harsh and deadly in its impact, but God will be fully justified in His actions. As the righteous Judge of the universe, He will be righting all wrongs and punishing all wrong-doers, giving each of them the punishment they deserve.