THE STARS OF HEAVEN FELL … AS A FIG TREE CASTETH HER UNTIMELY FIGS

Once we come to the loosing of the seals we enter a series of divine judgements that will follow the rapture of the church. The telling phrase is found, ‘For the great day of His wrath is come; who shall be able to stand?’ v. 17.

This is earth’s darkest hour and nothing can equate to the sorrow or terrible consequences of God’s wrath poured out upon men. The throne of God will now operate in a way that men have often accused God of not doing - putting things right by judgement. This has been long delayed, but wrath is seen now as the only solution to man’s rebellion against God.

The ultimate conflict between good and evil will take to the world stage in this last scene of the drama. God, who has waited with undeniable patience for men to turn to Him in repentance, now comes out in inevitable judgement. With the God of all grace, this has always been a final resort; only and even now He will appeal and hope that men will come to Him in repentance. He can yet respond in salvation but it is not to be, for men will not have it, Rev. 16. 9, 11, 15, 16.

So, who is able to stand? The imagery used by John to convey what he saw implies the collapse of all social restraints. Heav­enly bodies are always used in scripture to portray dignitaries and ruling powers, cf. Gen. 1. 16; 37. 9. As rulers are divinely appointed, it would seem that this order of things is allowed to fail, bringing anarchy and instability on a universal scale. It is untimely in that this is the time when such persons and author­ity would be most needed.

There follows a desperate hunt to find a place of shelter and safety for the general population of men. One can feel for fami­lies and those with children as disorder and evil pervades the earth. Sadly, no such safety will avail for them and they will seek death in preference to life, 6. 15, 16.

Two things we need to thank God for today. Firstly, that there is a refuge in Christ, the true shelter, that is still available now. Secondly, that the rapture of the church by our Deliverer from coming wrath, is our daily hope, 1 Thess. 1. 10.