"And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven."
(Revelation 11:13)
When the church is gathered into His bosom, then God’s wrath falls upon the world. “And in that hour there was a great earthquake”—a term always portending God’s judgment falling—“and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” John emphasizes that the world watches as God delivers the church from the world. But it watches with dismay and terror. The reaction is great fear falling upon them, terror at the reality that the church is indeed the people of God, and its gospel message is indeed truth and life. The numbers used are not to be taken literally, but indicate the beginnings of God’s wrath falling in significant impact. Even those under God’s wrath without any more opportunity to respond to the gospel, will understand their plight so that they “gave glory to the God of heaven.” This is not a new surge of evangelism but a period when God makes even His enemies to acknowledge that He is Sovereign Lord (Phil. 2:9-11).
Here are a few things that we must contemplate:
1. The church is on God’s schedule. When the church has finished its gospel work, then the world faces God’s wrath.
2. The church must not grow discouraged in the work. The Lord sustains us until He is ready to take us to glory.
3. The world will grow increasingly hostile toward the gospel. Don’t let this surprise you. But know that a day of reckoning will take place.
4. The gospel will not always be proclaimed in the world. For those among us who are unbelieving, God has shown mercy to you by allowing you to be under gospel ministry. The day will come when that is over. If you have not repented and trusted Christ as your Redeemer and Lord, then you will give glory to God, but not as His follower but as the object of His wrath.
5. Let the church hear the call of the gospel to go forth and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ!
1. The church is on God’s schedule. When the church has finished its gospel work, then the world faces God’s wrath.
2. The church must not grow discouraged in the work. The Lord sustains us until He is ready to take us to glory.
3. The world will grow increasingly hostile toward the gospel. Don’t let this surprise you. But know that a day of reckoning will take place.
4. The gospel will not always be proclaimed in the world. For those among us who are unbelieving, God has shown mercy to you by allowing you to be under gospel ministry. The day will come when that is over. If you have not repented and trusted Christ as your Redeemer and Lord, then you will give glory to God, but not as His follower but as the object of His wrath.
5. Let the church hear the call of the gospel to go forth and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ!
(Phil A. Newton)
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