Coming Wrath

12/17/25 Bible Thought (Revelation 15)

Photo by Miguel on Unsplash

The judgment of God is just, and He does not err.

The Bible, on innumerable pages, describes God as One who is holy. That is, He does no wrong. Although existing from eternity past, He has a perfect streak of never making a mistake.

That said, as we come to the book of Revelation, we see throughout its pages that the judgment of God is poured out on rebel sinners many times. In chapter 15 specifically, there is an announcement of the final installment of God’s wrath, which will take place with the seven bowl judgments.

One of the things that is tricky about Revelation is that it encompasses some recapitulation. We are brought to the brink of the end multiple times. It’s almost as if John replays a scene from a slightly different perspective for us.

From one perspective, we see the dragon’s wrath; from another, we see the wrath of the Almighty, yet the timeframe overlaps to some extent. That said, from a literary perspective, the seven seal judgments led to the seven trumpet judgments, which now lead to the seven bowl judgments.

It’s not always abundantly clear when events overlap—but one thing is clear, God is just.

A Look at Revelation 15

As the preparations for the bowl judgments are underway, we see another aside with the redeemed in heaven. This time, they are singing around the throne:

“Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! ⁴ Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Rev. 15:3-4).

Their praise to God showcases that His ways are just and true, and likewise that He is holy.

God is right to pour out wrath on those who have rebelled against Him.

Again, at this point in Revelation, we see that every human being had either cast their lot with Jesus or cast their lot with the beast. They were either sealed by God or received the beast’s mark. There wasn’t a third category that was indifferent to what was going on.

Those who belonged to God, even if they were conquered by the beast in death, actually conquered him (Rev. 15:2) by not loving their lives unto death (Rev. 12:11).

Now, those who worshipped the beast would soon receive the justice they deserved.

The Justice and Mercy of God

God is just. As such, sinners will not get away with their crimes against Him. All sin must be paid for, either by the sinner themselves or the blood of a substitute.

In Christ, God has offered terms of reconciliation. In Christ, God has showcased His justice as He punished sin, but He likewise showcased that He is gracious in that He offers justification for those who put their trust in the Savior.

We see again and again that there are no other categories, and this does not change.

Bringing it Home

There is no updated 21st-century gospel where suddenly the fence is safe. In Revelation, the truth that all are either children of God or children of Satan (1 Jn. 3:10) is made clear.

Those who denied God, refused God, and turned instead to the beast will undergo a final outpouring of God’s wrath before the end comes and the great white throne judgment takes place.

God’s justice will not be delayed forever, and it is coming.

Are you ready, friend?

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Challenge for Today:

Do I sometimes see God’s justice as overkill?

Let us always remember that God is holy and will never do wrong. We must trust that in all things He does what is right.