Judgments & The Fall of Babylon

These are God’s present, ongoing judgments which restrain evil and wake people up to the danger of their sin (6.2-8; 18.2-8). 

• In Revelation, the judgment of God against evil is part of the good news!
• The scroll represents God’s plan to rescue his people, put an end to evil and renew creation (Rv. 5.9-10).
• The four horsemen represent warfare, violence & bloodshed, famine, and death (6.2-8).

Why is God waiting so long to put things right? (Rv. 6.10)

• Because God’s desire is for all people to repent and be saved! (Rv. 6.10-11; 2 Pt. 3.9).

Why is judgment necessary at all? 

• If you are a human, it isn’t! (Rv. 18.4; Jn. 3.16). 
• Because God loves all he has made, and will not surrender his good world to the powers of evil (Rv. 21.1-4).

Application:

• God is working in the present to restrain evil and call all people to repentance.
• We can face suffering with perseverance because we know that evil will not have the final word. 

Discussion Questions: 

• Share about a time or situation when you saw clearly the need for just judgement.
• Explain how Rv. 6 highlights both the mercy and the justice of God. Why is it so important to hold on to both at once?