Where is the Promise of His Coming?

In Revelation 5 there is a heartbreaking moment followed by a moment that invoked consummate worship. God is on the throne (blessed be His name!) and He holds in His right hand a sealed scroll. But no one is found who is worthy to open it. John then “wept much” because no one was found worthy to open it. Whatever the scroll contained (click here for some ideas) it must be very important and critical that someone open it if John wept so much. But do not fear; there is someone worthy! “Behold the Lion, the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals (verse 5).” The opening of the seals unleashes judgment on the earth. Think of of the power and grace of God. He has the right and power to allow Jesus to open the seals, to start the judgment of the earth, but He hasn’t.

There is a time in the Bible when it was time for judgment. Ezekiel 12:5 says, "For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it," says the Lord GOD.'" And even though the people did not believe it would happen - it did. They had been warned for 200 years, and it did come.

Fast forward to today. It has been two thousand years since Christ has come to earth. In 2 Peter it says, “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” Just like those in Judah, they think that since the words have been delayed that they will not come.

How are we to see it? When I thought about Revelation 5 I was in awe of the power of God. At any moment He could rapture the church, and allow the tribulation to wreak havoc on the whole earth. But He hasn’t. Do you know why? 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” It is not that God is incapable; it is not that He will not fulfill those promises of judgment. It is that He is gracious and patient. He wants everyone to repent and believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins so they do not have to go through the judgment and then to hell. In Ezekiel God brought down judgment that He had warned them of for 200 years. For almost 2000 years the church has had the book of Revelation that tells of coming judgment. God loves people. He wants people with Him. He does not want them in hell.

If judgment makes you squirm or makes you wonder about God's love think on this. God has the perfect balance of time in His hands. Just as He is patient and wants more to come to repentance, He also knows when the time has come when people will not repent anymore. He knows then it is time to bring judgment so more people are not born only to reject Him and enter eternity without Him. God's coming judgment should not make us question God's love, it should make us share it with others in this time of grace. It hasn't happened yet, so we need to tell others of the saving power of Jesus Christ!