Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 14:6-8. 

                                                                                                                                                          “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people;  and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come;  worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

 

                                                                                                                                                        And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”  Revelation 14:6-8.

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Today’s Scripture presents two angels who represent agents of God to perform His will.  One angel preaches the eternal gospel which is an exercise of God’s lovingkindness.  A second angel announces judgment which is an exercise of God’s justice.

It is easier for man to understand and accept God’s lovingkindness than it is for us to understand and accept God’s justice.  But, I wonder if it is easier for the angels to understand and accept God’s justice than it is for them to understand and accept God’s lovingkindness.  I think the angels marvel at God’s lovingkindness to “totally depraved” man.

“Who is the wise man that may understand this?  And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it?  Why is the land ruined, laid waste like a desert, so that no one passes through?  The Lord said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice nor walked according to it, but have walked after the stubbornness of their heart and after the Baals, as their fathers taught them,” therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.  I will scatter them among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known;  and I will send the sword after them until I have annihilated them.”  Jeremiah 9:12-16.

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.