Rejoicing in Judgment
Scripture Reading: Revelation 19
As Christians, we live with a bit of tension over the interplay between grace and judgment. We need to learn how to hold on to the glory of God in both. Revelation 19, like most of this book, is filled with songs of worship. The book is doxological as well as eschatological in nature. The very first song in this chapter begins with, “Hallelujah!” That is that great word that is transliterated rather than translated because its original form is almost sacred and can’t be improved on by saying it in a different language. People around the world, in every language where Christ is worshipped as God and Savior, say “Hallelujah.” It is a universal word of praise.
This is the word that is shouted by a heavenly multitude in Revelation 19. And what is the reason for this exuberant praise? “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute…” God is praised for both His salvation and His judgments.
We understand the first, but we shy away from the second. But, this is my hunch, that there is within us something that longs for righteous justice and judgment in this world where there is so much wickedness, where people seem to get away with the worst sort of evil. We long for things to be set right.
And they will be.
And we will shout “Hallelujah” when that day comes.
