Justice, Mercy, and the Collapse of Empire

What do you do with biblical texts that depict God pouring out bowls of cosmic destruction? For those of us who believe in a nonviolent, loving God, passages like Revelation 15-16 create serious problems. They've been used to terrorize people and justify violence for centuries. This sermon offers a different way forward. By understanding apocalyptic literature as symbolic resistance writing from the powerless, and by reading through three theological frameworks—universalism, pacifism, and open theology—we discover something surprising: even here, the text itself points toward universal reconciliation rather than eternal punishment. The sermon explores how God's wrath might be less about cosmic revenge and more about love fiercely opposing what harms creation. If you've ever struggled with violent biblical imagery, wondered how justice and mercy fit together, or wanted to resist oppressive systems while still holding onto hope, this conversation is for you. Includes a bonus Andor reference about resisting empire.