God’s Judgement
BRD REFLECTION 2025
Revelation 16 and Psalm 138 (NIV)
(Ruth Lam from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Revelation 16 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In the midst of a passage which speaks of great judgement, it may be easy to feel frightened by the weight of the punishment that is prophesied. Yet among it all, there is praise from the angels for God’s judgements which are true and righteous (v5, v7). The ones destined for punishment are those who worshipped the image of the beast (v2), who killed saints and prophets (v6), who blasphemed God’s name (v9), and the spirits of demons (v14).
APPLY:
Today’s passage makes me reflect on how I view the end days as a whole. Does God’s great and righteous judgement instil fear in me because of how severe they are? Or as God’s child, do I see the hope brought by this judgement, because that is the final righting of all the injustice in the world? There are things that have been corrupted by sin, and yet are above human ability to overcome. Only our sovereign creator God will be able to remake all things again.
I confess that sometimes in looking at God’s great acts of mercy throughout the Bible, I forget the importance of the balanced doctrine – to keep in mind both God’s mercy and judgement. When studying passages like this on judgement, there is a very real temptation to exalt human compassion over God’s mercy, and wonder if some punishments seem too harsh. But I must remember that God in His perfect wisdom is the best judge and is truly fair, even in ways I may not y understand, showing both grace and punishment concurrently in precise measure. This is beyond my human ability to fathom, and I will only be able to appreciateg it through His grace as I mature as a Christian.
DO:
I will:
- Continually seek to deepen my relationship with God in His Word and desire to live it out, that He may open my eyes to His heart.
- Commit my confusions and thoughts to Him in prayer, asking that He guides my understanding and guards my heart with humility.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, thank You for adopting us, that we may come to know You. Thank You that You offer Your Son to us, that we are spared from Your wrath that is to come upon the earth.. May we never take Your grace for granted, nor underestimate the severity of sin in the world. Please continue holding us close to Yourself, and guide us on how we can please You. Thank You, God.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
