David Bahn – Reflections

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. ⁵ And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say,

“Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was,
    for you brought these judgments.
⁶ For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
    and you have given them blood to drink.
It is what they deserve!”

⁷ And I heard the altar saying,

“Yes, Lord God the Almighty,
    true and just are your judgments!”

⁸ The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. ⁹ They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

¹⁰ The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish ¹¹ and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. –Revelation 16:4-11 [ESV]

These two hymns remind me of the imprecatory psalms, though they are not as extreme as some of the imprecatory psalms.

An imprecation is a curse that invokes misfortune upon someone. Imprecatory psalms are those in which the author imprecates; that is, he calls down calamity, destruction, and God’s anger and judgment on his enemies. This type of psalm is found throughout the book. The major imprecatory psalms are Psalms 5, 10, 17, 35, 58, 59, 69, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, and 140 (GotQuestions.com).

Some of the imprecations of those psalms are brutal. All of them are expressions of moral high ground and complete confidence of being in the right, and their enemies in the wrong. I’m sure there are those who have such a strong sense of moral superiority. And you might second-guess such self-righteousness.

But there can be no question about this judgment. These hymns of Revelation 16 are in response to a complete end to all evil. That is what this chapter celebrates. It celebrates in unabashed joy the demise of those who had persecuted and killed believers and so dishonored God. It expresses unimaginable relief at the end of torment, trouble, and tumult. This is the unleashing of God’s judgment on all who hate him and his ways.

That may seem harsh. It is no soft and gentle moment. But it is a vindication for all who put their trust in God’s ways and his salvation. This hymn makes the point that God’s judgements are completely just. That’s the point of the second of these two hymns of praise. “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” Amen. 

But let us never forget that the judgment of God was unleashed 2000 years ago…on his Son. Jesus bore the sin of the world. And no one need endure the kinds of eternal doom that is described here. God’s will, in fact, is quite the opposite. His will is that all would repent and believe. That is made clear even in the condemnation: People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. 

Jesus’ first sermon was, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” This a daily practice for the believer. In the face of such grave punishment, certainly we will heed his call!

Join me in praying these psalms on this Lord’s Day. He loves us so much!

Psalm 7:1-2, 17

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

² And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. ³ And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
⁴ Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

⁵ After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, ⁶ and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, ⁸ and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. –Revelation 15:1-8 [ESV]

The list of adjectives in this hymn point us toward a majestic, holy, righteous, mighty, and in the context of this chapter, vengeful God. We don’t tend toward that picture of God these days. We’ve learned to get along with the ways of the world. We are seldom in direct danger of attack or threat of bodily harm or grave injustice. Once in a while we may be poked by the wokeness of the world. Occasionally we may want to lash out at those who insult our God. But I don’t know anyone who is ready to take up arms or make a “here I stand” confession in our enemy’s direct line of fire.

To be sure we must take our stand. And there are plenty of challenges to faith and faithfulness. Most of the time, however, these are handled on a low-key basis. We simply refuse to watch certain programs, read certain books or visit certain establishments. Even I seldom take up a direct argument to someone’s off-hand comment or challenge. I tend toward the soft answer that turns away wrath approach (Proverbs 15:1).

But we don’t live under the same degree of persecution and grave physical danger as those in John’s day did. Christians were persecuted horrifically. Some died. Others, like John, were exiled. Still others saw their loved-ones subjected to terrible injustice. It was a constant real and present danger. With that awareness we can better understand the yearning for vengeance. We can see why they called out for justice and the ultimate and uncontested reign of the holy, just, true, and righteous God.

While our yearning may not be as urgent, it is certainly well-founded when we desire God’s ultimate rule and reign in our lives. When he reigns we are able to rise above the tumult of this fallen world. When he rules we are able to find joy even in our sufferings. When his justice and righteousness prevails, schisms, divisions, and scandals are healed.

All that happens when we embrace God’s justice, truth, holiness and righteousness by faith. We look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, redeemed us, forgave us, and justified us before God. For his sake we are declared righteous, just, holy, and pure. Whenever we express that in our interactions with others, we reflect the true nature of God, and give evidence of the grace and truth of his ways.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

² And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. ³ And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
⁴ Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

⁵ After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, ⁶ and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, ⁸ and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. –Revelation 15:1-8 [ESV]

There is a very powerful and enlightening scene in the movie Titanic that left a lasting impression on me. It also gave new meaning to the idea expressed in Revelation 21:1, “…and the sea was no more.” In the movie there is a priest reading from this passage as the ship lists further and further toward its ultimate doom. As the ship sinks the priest reads, “…and the sea was no more.” Think of it! When you’re about to drown in a cold and violent sea, to imagine a place where there is no threatening waves or roaring sea has to be a beautiful and peaceful thought.

Second to that thought is the idea of a sea of glass. And such placid views are the stuff of paintings and peaceful meditation. Imagine sitting beside a glassy sea and contemplating the awesome nature of God and his glorious works, dreaming of a world at peace with nothing to harm or even threatening harm us. This is a vision of peace. Except this sea of glass is mingled with fire. This is a troubling image once again. Fire is often used to speak of judgment. John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and fire. The idea there was of judgment.

The sea is tamed. It can harm no more. It is as though the sea has been judged. Its ways are severely limited. Not only are its boundaries set (remember Job 38:8-11?). Fire rages on its surface. The cataclysmic nature of this judgment scene is clear. This is not just a moment interrupted. This is an ending of all endings.

That’s not good news for those who trouble God’s people. It’s not good news for those who make much of others’ misery. It is not good news for those who delight in chaos, destruction, war, and tumult. But it is good news for those who look forward to the new heaven and new earth. It is good news for those who seek Jesus’ help. It is good news for those who yearn for true peace. It is good news for those who wish to leave behind all sin, corruption, brokenness, pain, threat, distress, fear, and maham in search of God’s perfect peace.

The days leading up to the Great Last Day will be tumultuous. Many will faint for fear. And those apart from God will not have smooth sailing by any means. But the redeemed of God recognize their need for a Savior, and realize that Savior is Jesus Christ who has come to redeem us. We will find perfect peace in him. I look forward to that day. I think it’s getting close.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

² And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. ³ And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
⁴ Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

⁵ After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, ⁶ and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, ⁸ and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. –Revelation 15:1-8 [ESV]

Perhaps you remember the old TV show, That’s Incredible! Somehow the show’s producers found story after story of incredible events. A treacherously dangerous but successful rescue attempt. A one-of-a-kind discovery of rare and extremely valuable treasure hidden in the most incredibly unexpected place. We’d watch an episode and say to each other, “That’s incredible!” And it was. I’m sure the producers told the story and edited the footage to make things appear even more amazing than they would otherwise appear. But the show was well-named.

Stack that up against this observation by author and pastor Max Lucado: “I’ve never been surprised by God’s judgment, but I’m still stunned by His grace.” Then look again at the opening lines of his hymn of praise: “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!” God’s deeds are indeed great. And when we think of the greatness of his deeds we tend to think of miraculous things like crossing the Red Sea on dry ground, falling the walls of Jericho with a trumpet’s blast, or seeing Jesus walk on water. Those are truly great things. 

But God’s most awesome work was done by the frailty of his Son (thanks Michael Card). You want amazing, take a look at Undercover Boss and then multiply it exponentially. Talk about a great work, consider just what Jesus accomplished when he died for the sins of the world. Consider how he reconciled the world to himself, not counting man’s trespasses against him. Consider how God has also passed on that ministry of reconciliation to people like you and me! That’s truly great and amazing.

What God said from the foundation of time has been vindicated. It is all as he said it would be. He promised a Savior and delivered his Son for us all. He promised eternal life and opened the gates of salvation to all who would believe. He said the devil would not prevail, and he triumphed over him on the cross and showed how complete that victory was by his resurrection from the dead. And on the Great Last Day we will stand in awe at the full implication of all these things.

There are times when the apparent winning ways of the world overwhelm. There are times when we are amazed at man’s accomplishments. There are times when we celebrate great human accomplishments as though they are the ultimate expressions of power and glory. There are times when we laud the athlete, idolize the celebrity, or put our hopes on a political leader. None of these are truly great and amazing. That’s God’s realm. His praise will go on for all time, and so will our rightful and proper amazement at his stunning grace and glorious majesty.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

² And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. ³ And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
⁴ Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

⁵ After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, ⁶ and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, ⁸ and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. –Revelation 15:1-8 [ESV]

The common idea of the wrath of God has to do with people being blasted by an angry God who desires to destroy, hurt, and otherwise wreak havoc on people who do not behave properly. The wrath of God, by that definition, would be appropriate for us all – except perhaps people like Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, and maybe the Apostle John (the disciple Jesus loved). But even John, the beloved disciple had his issues. He and his brother James were called sons of thunder because of their haste to call down fire from heaven on some Samaritans who refused hospitality to Jesus and his disciples.

Jesus had a very different approach to this which actually gets at the realities of God’s wrath. He merely went on to another city. He had a message to deliver and a mission to accomplish. He would take the fullness of God’s wrath upon himself so that we do not have to bear it.

One online resource speaks of God’s wrath this way:

God’s wrath is not a reckless rage, an uncontrollable anger, a senseless fury, or an unjust vengeance. The wrath of God is a precise and controlled response to the belittling of his holiness. Everyone who perishes under the wrath of God in eternity will not be because God lost his temper with them and mistreated them. (G3 Ministries)

The author of a Concordia Theological Monthly journal article refuses to disconnect a discussion of God’s wrath from his grace. It says that the founding fathers of the Lutheran church recognized that

the wrath of God was a great reality about which they had not merely read in books, but the withering blasts of which they had felt in their own hearts. Likewise the grace of God was to them not a mere titulus, but a boon which had come to them like the dawn of a bright morning after a night of harrowing gloom and destructive storms.

Yet there is a judgment day. There will be an accounting. Those who wish to find comfort in Jesus’ mercy and grace will experience that boon of deliverance. Those who refuse his grace will be left totally to their own devices. It will not be pretty for them. There will be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

While we wait, God shows his wrath by taking his hands off those who do not believe. And in their unbelief they go farther and farther down the road to perdition (cf. Romans 1:18-32). But God’s hands-off approach is not entirely wrathful. For he is also waiting patiently so that some will repent and not perish (2 Peter 3:9). This is his greatest desire. This is his will: our eternal salvation and perfect joy. And until the end of all time there is hope. But that time will one day come to an end. His wrath will end. And his own will enjoy heavenly bliss forever.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

² And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. ³ And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
⁴ Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

⁵ After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, ⁶ and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, ⁸ and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. –Revelation 15:1-8 [ESV]

We just ended a week-long family vacation/celebration of Diane’s and my retirements. The trip was put off for a year (thanks, COVID!). But we finally got almost everyone together. Nine grandchildren. Six sons and wives. The two of us: 17 people in one 12 bedroom 11-½ bath house. Amusement parks. Resort water park. Pool. Games. Food. Fun. Very few tears. Lots of love and good will. It was a great experience: Thanks be to God! Check out the photo at the bottom of this post to get an idea of the fun we had.

But in less than a thousand years all these great memories will be forgotten. Whether through dementia, or the normal fading of memories, or replacement by even more amazing or impactful events. We all have forgotten moments or events that seemed at the time so vitally important. That’s the bad news.

But there is a good side to the temporary nature of all things. It is hinted at here in this passage. The only things that will truly last are the eternally-good things of God. His majesty, glory, grace, and justice will go on forever. His love never ends or wavers. And even the seemingly ceaseless pains and struggles of life will one day come to an end. The seventh bowl of God’s wrath will finally be poured out. The rule of the Beast – Satan himself – will come to an end. He will one day have been finally and fully conquered. It was a done deal when Jesus died on the cross, made more certain by his resurrection from the dead, and will be fully realized in the life of the world to come.

This is the celebration of this hymn of praise here. The righteous acts of God will be fully revealed. The justice of his ways will be vindicated. The hopes of the faithful will be realized. The faith of even the weakest believer will become sight. And all that glory and joy, praise, and delight will go on forever and ever.

So, too, with the memory of those who have served him. For, as recorded in the  previous chapter, earlier a heavenly announcement will have been made:

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” – Revelation 14:13

Suffering will one day end. Worldly worries will cease. Troubles will be completely forgotten. Faith will become sight. Hopes will be realized. Temptation, trials, troubles, and tumult will all end. We must remember this and join in the hymns of praise to the One who will replace them with pure joy and true happiness, which will never end.

Bahn Family at Disney | Numbers indicate years of birth

Join me in praying these psalms on this Lord’s Day. He loves us so much!

Psalm 119 (various verses)

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” ¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,¹⁷ saying,

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power
    and begun to reign.
¹⁸ The nations raged,
    but your wrath came,
    and the time for the dead to be judged,
and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
    and those who fear your name,
    both small and great,
and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”

– Revelation 11:15-18 [ESV]

Maybe you know someone who is bigger than life. She walks into a room and the air is taken out. Everyone is enamored by her intellectual prowess. No one can hold a candle to her. You may also know someone who is constantly overlooked. He has great ideas, is fiercely loyal,  and truly humble. But no one gives him a second look. 

Both of these meet at the foot of the cross and in the glory of heaven. The great and small alike who fear the name of Jesus will find a place in the eternal kingdom of God. Both will be in awe of the Lamb who reigns. Both will sing praises to God. Both will count it a great privilege to be there. Both will rejoice in  the chasm-spanning reach of the grace of God. Both will experience unfettered and unhindered the steadfast love of God. Both will sing his praises in exuberant joy and stunning humility. 

If arrogance and pride is the source and substance of all sin, then humility and admitted poverty of spirit marks the heart of the redeemed. Hubris is the calling card of the sinful man. Fear of God is the wise choice of those who desire his good. 

There will be a great leveling on the Last Day. The high and mighty will be brought low. The humble will be raised up. And they will meet as true sisters and brothers in Christ, and rejoice together in God’s majesty, power and eternal reign. All men, great and small will proclaim that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the Father, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” ¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,¹⁷ saying,

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power
    and begun to reign.
¹⁸ The nations raged,
    but your wrath came,
    and the time for the dead to be judged,
and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
    and those who fear your name,
    both small and great,
and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”

– Revelation 11:15-18 [ESV]

I don’t consider myself to have many enemies. I don’t avoid certain people or constantly look over my shoulder in my day to day life. Perhaps that’s because I tend toward the safer places of the world. I don’t hang out in places where crime is rampant, or danger lurks. I live a fairly protected life – as far as day to day life is concerned. 

But that view is truly myopic. It does not take into account the terrors of war, the tumult at the border, or the tragedy of human trafficking. I’m too prone to bemoan these things from afar. I pray about them – though not nearly as often or fervently as I should. And when I read the Imprecatory Psalms, I cringe at the strong language and ill will the psalmist focuses toward his enemies. The expressions of anguish at God’s distance and disappointment at his delay in rescue seem far removed from my life. I live too often in blissful ignorance of the evils all around me. 

But that does not mean evil is not present and pressing in on me from every side. Nor is it far from you or any of us. The devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Sin and death claw at us daily, and the terrible realities of our fallen and broken world are ever present.  

But one day – the Great Last Day – all these things will be no longer. Relief will be more sweet to those who suffer under sin’s weight, and evil’s influence. But we who have not had to bear the direct threats of death, torture, or persecution will also discover a new joy. We will discover just how oppressive Satan and sin’s power truly are. A weight we did not realize we were carrying will be lifted and the lifting will bring us such relief and joy that we will gladly join in the hymn of praise to God, the Lamb, the One who will take his great power and assume his rightful place in the hearts of all. 

His servants will be rewarded. His enemies judged. His people – great and small will fully and finally enjoy the salvation he has won for us. And as I think of this, I wonder why he did it? What is the purpose of all this? Why is there a heaven? Why will there be a Last Day? And while I’m not sure I should ask why, I can at least surmise that it is because God loves us and has redeemed us. And we who fear him and not those who can kill the body, will rest forever in his gracious love and the scales that have been balanced at the cross. The empty tomb is a guarantee of all this. And as we wait for the destroyers to be destroyed, can look forward to the restoration of all things and know that some Day all things will be made right with the world.