God's Vengeance is Real
Ezekiel 25:17, "And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes, and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them."
We must maintain a biblical balance if we are to understand God and His ways. When I was a young preacher, it wasn't uncommon to hear and/or preach a message on hell, or to speak of God's wrath upon sin, or to speak of His vengeance. Yet, over time, it seems uncommon to hear and/or preach a message on hell, or God's wrath, or God's vengeance. It is detrimental to us if we don't have a biblical balance in our preaching and teaching. I am not a liberal theologian, nor do I spend time with liberal theologians, but I may have to admit that I have failed in maintaining a biblical balance on the subjects mentioned above. Preaching, in general, has taken a turn over my 42 years and has been more about how to manage our Christian life with the inclusion of an occasional salvation message. May the Lord forgive us, and may He forgive me.
This morning I was struck with the reality, not for the first time, of God's vengeance. Yes, I said God's vengeance, because it does not belong to you or me. Romans 12:19 makes it clear, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord." This is a quotation from Deuteronomy 32:35, "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense..." Yes, vengeance belongs to God, not to you or me.
In Ezekiel 25 the reality of God's vengeance is made apparent. Ezekiel 25:12 speaks of God taking vengeance, Ezekiel 25:14 declares I will lay my vengeance, Ezekiel 25:17, states, I will execute great vengeance. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 expresses the reality of God's vengeance, particularly upon those who are lost and persecute believers, "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power."
Oh yes, God is forgiving, God is love, God is merciful, but don't forget God is a God of vengeance! Make sure you are right with the Lord and prepared for His coming.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you sought vengeance upon another? What were the circumstances and how did that work for you?
2. When was the last time you heard a message about God’s vengeance or hell?
3. Do you believe in a literal burning hell? Do you believe it is forever? How is hell a reflection of God’s vengeance upon sin?
4. Are you right with God today or do you have a need to seek His forgiveness?