God loves the world so much – so why is He unleashing all of this suffering on the planet?
In Revelation 9 there are incredible horrors unleashed – 1/3 of the people die, and others are in so much pain they want to die, but can’t. All of this seems so far from the God of love that we know. This reminds us of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah – and it is meant to. Sodom was a town that was so evil that it did not repent, even when sulfur rained down and destroyed it. Sulfur is coming from these “riders” (almost definitely imagery, not literal), and destroying people who practice witchcraft, murder, sexual immorality, and theft.
God is love – and even these horrors are meant to bring people BACK to Him. Death and suffering will happen, and pass – they are not eternal. But our choices towards God have eternal consequences. God will allow and sometimes even send pain and death – so that we will turn back to Him. It is not His usual or preferred method, but He can and does use it.
Has God ever disciplined you? How can you be aware of God’s love for you, even in hard times?
