A Big Stick

Revelation 16:17-21

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

With certainty, you have seen the movie "Walking Tall." Those who have played the lead role in this action thriller carried a big stick, had a no non-sense attitude, and refused to compromise with those corrupting and rejecting the law. There are two ways to deal with corruption: you can wipe out those involved, or you can change those who are willing to change.  This is the offer that God presented to man in sending "His only Begotten Son."  The law defines man as sinful and corrupt, destined to an eternal death sentence.  That law still stands my friends, and it carries a "big stick." On the other end of the spectrum, God "in Christ" has extended His hand of mercy to those who would choose life over death, and allow Him to change them from within. 

Much of the modern day church has insisted upon negating an entire element of God's character. They have removed certain texts of Scripture which do not meet the definition of the Christ they have conjured up in their philosophical, religious minds in an attempt to justify sin and eliminate the reality of condemnation, justice, wrath, and judgment. In doing so, they have taken it upon themselves to negate "the whole counsel of God. Much of the current professing church has moved into fellowship with the apostate church. They have created a wimpy little tip-toe through the tulips Jesus who is all grace. love, mercy, and compassion, who is absent of any suggestion of as to being a God of judgment.

This Scripture text along with numerous other texts in the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation, displays the fact that there is a judgment side of God which can be quite severe. Notice the "flashes of lightening, rumblings, pearls of thunder, and the earthquake" that all originate from the throne of God. This pictures a God who has reached the pinnacle of His patience, whose wrath and anger is now vividly displayed. He will bring down nations with the "fury of His wrath." Now get this! This loving, compassionate, merciful, God of grace will literally rain "one hundred pound hailstones on the people," and it clearly states they come from heaven, from the throne of a God who is pouring out His wrath and judgment on a world that has rejected His way.

My friends, Jesus Christ will meet anyone where they are if they will humble themselves, come to Him by faith, and cry out for His mercy. He is indeed full of love, compassion, mercy, and grace. Those who accept and trust Him by faith will never suffer "the fury of His wrath.  But the Word of God is very clear regarding those who will dare to reject "His only begotten Son" and the hand of mercy He has extended. There is a God of judgment who said, "I change not;" whom the Scripture says is the "same yesterday, today, and forever."  No, Jesus is not some wimpy little tip-toe through the tulips dude who is going to cuddle everyone in His arms, excuse their sin, compromise with their rebellion, and talk sweet to them.  When called for, He will take your head off with the Sword of Truth.

Revelation 19:21

"And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of Him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh."