5 But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”

7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.

8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.

— Romans 2:5-8

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

— Jude 1:7

7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

— Galatians 6:7, 17

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, salvation and joy from Jesus Christ to you.

In Revelation 8-9, harsh judgment falls on persistently rebellious humanity through God’s trumpet judgments. Though the timing of these events is not entirely clear, the scenes introduced by the first six trumpets confront us with sin’s severe consequences: destruction, bitterness, loss, pain, anguish, dear, and death. Sin’s present damage will be magnified incomprehensibly in the future. In each case presented in the trumpet judgments, God limits the destruction, revealing His absolute power and control. In mercy, God allows time for repentance. But John watched hardened people refuse to repent. Arrogant human beings continue their corrupt course of rebellion against God.

Only those who have God’s seal will be protected from His judgment. These are God’s people for whom the Lamb died, who have trusted and followed Him. God hears and responds to the prayers of His suffering people with warnings of divine justice against those who persecute them. In a world that prefers the degradation of sin, God’s people remain safe as God exercises His holy judgment. This is a great comforting security that the Lamb’s salvation brings to God’s children.