the Harshness of God's Judgment

Revelation 19:17–21 NKJV

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Introduction:

As we imagine this scene unfolding, there are a few particulars I’d have you to keep in mind:

There will be no funeral services for the judged.

It will include everyone, small and great, bond and free!

No one will be able to bury their dead, because no one will escape the wrath of God!

Supernaturally, God ill summon the vultures and all birds that eat carrion. They will come from all over the globe to feast upon the carcases of the dead in the valley of decision!

There will be no honor, no remembrance, no epithet inscribed.

Their remains will be the excrement of the birds!

The Harshness of God’s judgment:

I. Should Cause Us to Give Thanks.

A. That His grace is sufficient for us.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

B. That He has given us everlasting life.

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

C. That He has made us:

The Body of Christ.

The bride of Christ.

The beloved in Christ.

The Harshness of God’s judgment:

II. Should Provoke Us to Share Christ.

The judgment is going to be so severe, I want to ask you this question:

Do you really want to see anyone, friend or enemy, fall into this condemnation?

The Apostle Paul says in

2 Corinthians 5:12–15 NKJV

12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

The Harshness of God’s judgment:

III. Should Bring Us to Our Knees.

A. In worship.

Revelation 7:11 NKJV

11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

B. In prayer.

Paul with Ephesian elders

Acts 20:36 NKJV

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

C. In obedience.

More metaphoric than physical, in that we obey Him with our very being.

Conclusion:

My friends, you know we have a duty to perform.

We do not know how much time we have left, but we are called to work while it is day, because the night comes when no-one can work.

The night brings an end to this world, and as we have seen in this passage today an incredibly harsh judgment!

We must do all we can to reach the lost for Christ!