Revelation chapters 6 and 7 depict images of grand events, worldwide in scope, with impact reaching into heaven. I admit I don’t understand many of the images. But there is no mistaking that our Lord and God is the one in command. And he commands actions that no other being in the universe has the authority to command.
One of the things that stands out as I read is “death.” It plays a major part in the events around the fourth seal and the fifth seal. In 6:8 authority was given to “Death” and “Hades” over “a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.” Only God could give this authority. Then in 6:9-11 martyrs who had been killed “because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained” are mentioned. And…they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.” The One, and only One, who has the ability and authority to determine when we die, sees death (and life) so much differently than we do. His ways are not our ways. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Rom.11:33
God created death, God allows death, God uses death for His holy purposes. God commands death. In the resurrection of Jesus, God gloriously displayed His power over death. And in one of the greatest victories in all the universe, possibly THE greatest, God will throw Death and Hades into the lake of fire. Then (sorry, we are peeking ahead) Rev. 21:4 says God will “wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
No more death. Instead there will be LIFE everlasting!...with Him!!
These things are hard to understand. But our God, who assures us of everlasting life…with Him, is worthy. He is worthy of our worship. He is worthy of our trust. Trust Him.
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