Why We Do Not Take Vengeance
It is well known in Bible circles the phrase, "It is God's to avenge." It comes from Romans 12:19 which quotes it from Deuteronomy 32:35. God has been saying this to us for a long time.
The reason why we are not to take revenge is because when God does it - we will be commanded to rejoice:
In Revelation, when harlot Babylon is destroyed, this is God's command to his martyred saints:
Revelation 18:20 (ESV) 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”
It may seem strange to rejoice over the collapse of anything. But to feel uncomfortable about it is proof you might not be aware of the damage sexual immorality and overabundance of prideful wealth can do to a nation...
Revelation 18:3 (ESV) For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
It turns entire cities and nations into heartless self-seekers who destroy others to maintain their level of comfort. In a way our quest for bigger and better and cheaper electronics in this country has created impoverished working conditions in other countries. Self absorption is bad for Creation.
But God will be the final judge. And His judgment will level the scales. Those who waited for judgment will not rejoice over the collapse as they will over the surety of God's Word and righteous judgment.
Think of the persecuted Church in Rome to which this was written watching their loved ones mauled b lions and burned to death.
Or think of all the men who were put to death for bringing the Gospel to the masses out of a corrupt church in the 1500-1600s.
Or the many Christian persecuted at all time highs in today's nations that totally lack tolerance.
Or the soon persecution of Christians in America.
Revelation leaves no room for doubt, God will do what He said He would do. Our hope and stay in planted firmly on His just judgment soon to come. And for that we must rejoice.
The reason why we are not to take revenge is because when God does it - we will be commanded to rejoice:
In Revelation, when harlot Babylon is destroyed, this is God's command to his martyred saints:
Revelation 18:20 (ESV) 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”
It may seem strange to rejoice over the collapse of anything. But to feel uncomfortable about it is proof you might not be aware of the damage sexual immorality and overabundance of prideful wealth can do to a nation...
Revelation 18:3 (ESV) For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
It turns entire cities and nations into heartless self-seekers who destroy others to maintain their level of comfort. In a way our quest for bigger and better and cheaper electronics in this country has created impoverished working conditions in other countries. Self absorption is bad for Creation.
But God will be the final judge. And His judgment will level the scales. Those who waited for judgment will not rejoice over the collapse as they will over the surety of God's Word and righteous judgment.
Think of the persecuted Church in Rome to which this was written watching their loved ones mauled b lions and burned to death.
Or think of all the men who were put to death for bringing the Gospel to the masses out of a corrupt church in the 1500-1600s.
Or the many Christian persecuted at all time highs in today's nations that totally lack tolerance.
Or the soon persecution of Christians in America.
Revelation leaves no room for doubt, God will do what He said He would do. Our hope and stay in planted firmly on His just judgment soon to come. And for that we must rejoice.
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