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Revelation 5-6:Sometimes God Says, “Wait.”

Jun 23, 2009
Patience, Prayer, Revelation

Today’s reading is Revelation 5:1-6:17.

In Revelation 6:9-11, the souls of martyred saints are seen beneath the altar of God. They want to know when God is going to take vengeance. They, no doubt, remember that God said, “Vengeance is mine.” They wonder when it will happen. God’s answer was, “Wait.” 

I struggle with that answer. Usually, if I pray and something doesn’t happen immediately, I think He just said, “No!” I need to learn patience. I need to learn that God’s timetable is not my timetable.

However, there is a deeper part of this “Wait.” God not only told them to wait, but during that period of waiting, some pretty dreadful things were going to happen. In fact, God was waiting until the dreadful things happened. He wasn’t going to take vengeance until more Christians died at the hands of their persecutors. 

This, of course, leads us into the questions about suffering and God. We have a tendency to think that if a loving God existed no one would suffer, especially not His followers. However, what we learn is life is not about our pleasure. Rather, God in His time is going to do what is best for us and what glorifies Him the most. Sadly, we have bought into the the temporal, materialistic, worldly mentality that what is best for us is a long life. That is only true if there is no resurrection. Once we accept the resurrection, we recognize there are better things than a long life. A resurrection that provides eternal joy and contentment tops that list. But that list may also include a death that glorifies God. 

I’m not saying we should go about seeking martyrdom in some sort of masochistic spirituality. I’m simply saying if that happens, it is not as bad as the world thinks it is. As Paul said in Philippians 1:19-26, death means to go be with Christ. What could be better than that when the time comes?

I have to learn, sometimes God says, “Wait.” Sometimes that means waiting through some very difficult trials. However, God will always do what is best. I need to trust Him.

Keep the faith and pass the word along,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

2 Comments
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  • http://www.raogden.com Robert Ogden

    On the other hand, I wonder if sometimes we emphasize 'other-worldliness' so much that we sometimes forget that life on this earth is more than merely treading water in anticipation of life after death. Whether God gives us long life or short life here, we are to be using it to His glory. I thought this quote from Wilson's "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" was interesting:

    They did not view the earth as an alien place but as a part of creation. It was on earth and on earth alone that human beings’ highest duty and calling could be performed – namely, that of bringing glory to their Maker through the praise of their lips and the work of their hands. (p. 59)

    In a sense, we shouldn't really wish for a long life OR a short life, but simply that we can "fight the good fight" and bring glory to God each day that we are given.

    . . .Yes, and I will rejoice,  for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,  as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. (Paul, Philippians 1:18b-23a

    What I always enjoy from Revelation 5 is the emotion of it all. John weeps and is then overjoyed by the changes that take place in chapter 5. The Lamb is worthy to do something that no other person in heaven or on earth can do – approach the throne of God and take the scroll. Even the Cherubim, the royal guard of God, bow down and worship this Lamb. What sharp imagery!

  • Edwin Crozier

    Good points, Robert. I especially like the part about not wishing for a long life or a short life, but being able to fight the good fight. That gets to the heart of it all. Then, whether long or short, dying will mean going to be with Jesus.

    I always struggle with saying our goal shouldn't be a long life, because I don't want to sound like I'm saying we should start asking for early deaths. Your point deals with that well.



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