October 27, 2022

In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13

Are you able to see God’s redemptive power and purpose in that which the world considers disaster? The tenth and eleventh chapters of Revelation highlight the glory of God as He brings greater understanding of His word and instructs His people to go forth again (10:11) and reach the world with the message of salvation. Obedience to His word in our fallen world brings a mix of joy as sweet as honey and also bitterness on occasion (10:10).

Following the infamous Bible burnings of the late 18th century, the ensuing sweep of revived interest in the Bible was accompanied by the announcement above. There are several parallels to note. The sixth seal also has a great earthquake (6:12) as a sign of the soon end of earth’s history. Satan’s reign over the city (called Babylon (14:8; 17:5; 18:2), meaning confusion - a reference to the condition of the entire world) is soon to end. In the Bible a tenth means the smallest part of a whole, yet the seven thousand killed represents the total of hardened rebels against God. This number was earlier used to represent God’s faithful ones when poor Elijah thought he was the only faithful one left in all of Israel (see 1 Kings 19:18).

“The rest were afraid and gave glory to God” shows us that God is perfectly able to see hearts with even the slightest potential for genuine repentance mixed among the hardened unbelievers. His merciful patience is still being showcased, even as judgements fall. His warnings are always given in love for the purpose of redemption, and He completely regards the right of every individual to choose or reject Him.

The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. (v.14)

The last three woes, announced in 8:13, incrementally increase in intensity. The third and final woe contains no warning, for at this point warnings will be a thing of the past. There is a point on God’s timetable which constitutes a point of no return (see 22:11).

Beloved, it is high time to go forth in His strength—with renewed conviction and vigor—to bring the final message of warning to the world. John the Revelator was shown a concise summary of the message. Here is how it begins:

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (14:6-7)