Seven shining angels are about to unleash seven deadly plagues. It's Exodus, the Sequel, and this time the whole unbelieving world is Egypt. You will recognize the story: despite affliction after affliction the unrighteous curse God and do not (perhaps because they cannot) repent. And once more the faithful stand by the sea and sing a song of victory.
It seems the time for mankind's redemption is past. As that time has not yet come, to my ears and heart the song of Moses and the Lamb at first hearing seems grotesque. "Great and marvelous are your deeds"? Plague and torment upon my neighbors? The divine rejoinder is heard in the next line:
"Just and true are your ways, King of the ages."
As a Christian, what is my goal? As David Platt notes in his book "Radical", in the final analysis it is not the benevolent welfare of all mankind. It is justice, and truth, and the glory of God. Even the most passionate public defender lawyer knows at some point he must fall silent and accept the verdict of Justice. Refusal to do so will make him a mocking outlaw as well. Mercy provides relief, Truth proclaims it to every tongue and tribe, but those who refuse will know true, terrible, everlasting justice.
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