Revelation Day 18 - The Limits of Suffering

DAY 18
The Limits of Suffering
Revelation 7:1-4, 9-17

Can evil and suffering outmatch God?

Revelation fully acknowledges the existence of evil and suffering. Even saying, “Suffering is allowed,” like we did yesterday, suggests that someone is doing the allowing. Someone else is higher up the pecking order. Revelation goes one step further and shows us that suffering has limits. Everything, even evil, answers to God and God’s government. Evil and suffering may be allowed, but they aren’t allowed forever.

How does Revelation tell us that?

In three ways. First, Rev. 6 tells us that everyone faces judgment. We’ll talk more about that next week. Simply put: one day God will end suffering by holding evildoers accountable.

Second, we know suffering has limits because the saints are sealed. There’s a pause in Rev. 7 for an angel to mark God’s people - 144,000 for Israel’s twelve tribes. Again, it’s symbolism for the whole Church. Sealing a letter was a way of protecting it. God’s people are not protected from suffering but they’re kept safe through suffering and God’s judgment to come out intact on the other side. They get a passing grade and graduate to eternal life.

Third, we know suffering has limits because evil ends. Rev. 7:9-17 are a sneak peek of God’s new creation. God delivers on every promise and shelters his saints forever. A rich diversity of Christians worship God together. Like John says in Rev. 21, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (21:4, NIV).

We are not guaranteed freedom from suffering. But we are promised suffering will one day end and never again be a threat.

REFLECT
How does it help you endure suffering now knowing suffering will one day end?

PRAY
Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb! You have overcome evil and suffering. Take all the praise and the glory, take all the wisdom and thanks, take all the honor, the power, and the strength. You deserve it, God! Yes! Amen!