GETTING THE MESSAGE/Free from guilt and sin in Christ

The language of Revelation 6:12-17 points to the final judgment of God. The descriptions in verses 12 -14 of upheavals in creation are used in the Old Testament to express God’s anger with the depravity of the nations. The rest of the passage speaks of the certainty of the judgment to come. However, there are also implied offers of salvation in each of the phrases.

In verse 12, the apostle John sees a great earthquake. Earthquakes often marked the presence of the Lord in judgment in the Old Testament. The earth shook at Mt. Sinai when the law of God was given to men as a warning to law breakers. But when Jesus died on the cross, the earth shook, and the rocks were split. Christ, taking on himself the judgment of God, freed men from guilt and judgment.

We also read in verse 12 that the “sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood.” In Isaiah 13, this phrase and other apocalyptic language are used because the Lord says, “I will punish the world for its evil.”

But in Acts 2, at Pentecost, Peter began his sermon by explaining what was taking place. He quoted the prophet Joel who wrote that in the latter days, the Lord would pour out his Spirit. Peter also quoted Joel, saying, “The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Peter was saying that the time of the latter days, the days between Christ’s resurrection and his return, is the Day of salvation. God has given the world a Savior, and he has attested with signs and wonders that Savior is Jesus of Nazareth, who died on the cross for sinners. God delays his judgment so that Christ and salvation may be proclaimed to sinners, but judgment will come. 

In Revelation 6:13-14, we again see portents of doom connected to the judgment of God: “the stars of the sky fell to the earth… the sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up.” The same language is found in Isaiah 34 because, “The Lord is enraged against all the nations.” The earth is described as turning into a wasteland. 

But in Isaiah 35, we read, “The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with singing… they shall see the glory of the Lord…He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped, then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” This points to Christ; these are the works he did. In Christ, the language of judgment turns into life and joy. 

In Revelation 6:15, we see that when Christ comes in judgment, it is too late for salvation: “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and the rocks of the mountains.” The judgment is impartial and all inclusive. 

In Revelation 5:9, we see that Christ ransomed people by his blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Salvation is also impartial and inclusive. Whosoever believes in Christ shall be saved. God is full of grace, forgiving sin, abounding in love; but who will by no means clear the guilty. We must have Christ to be accepted by God.

In verse 16, we see that the opportunity to call on Christ for salvation has ended, so men call for the rocks and mountains to fall and hide them from the “face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Men may think it degrading that the Bible says they are in sin and misery, deserving judgment, but it doesn’t matter what men like. What matters is what is true.

The question at the end of verse 17 is “Who can stand?” The answer is no man once judgment comes. We will either meet Christ as the Lamb who comes in wrath against the enemies of God, or as the Lamb of God who saves us from sin. This passage is a warning and an appeal from the Lord.  

The Rev. Chris Shelton is pastor of Union’s First Presbyterian Church.