May 9, 2022
When you hear the word “vindication” what comes to mind? Do you automatically think that if harm has been inflicted that harm must be returned, similar to an eye for an eye situation; and if so, do you think that you have the right to avenge another person? Or, when you hear the word “vindication” do you immediately think of justice, and if so, who provides that justice?
We must remember that God wants to be our Vindicator. He is the only One who brings all injustices into His Light of Truth, and we must be in the right relationship with Him.
So, what does the “right relationship” look like? It is our faith! God cannot work on our behalf, in and through ALL circumstance, if our faith is not firmly rooted in trusting that He is working for our good. The Apostle Paul reminds us of that the great mystery of our faith is that “Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed-in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.” (1 Tim 3:16)
If God vindicated Christ by the Spirit and took Him into heavenly glory, you and I must trust and believe that He will also vindicate us against injustices because we contain the Spirit of Christ. With this being said, we must also remember what Christ endured in the earthly realm. At times, you and I will experience loss and walk-through disasters within this realm, but what we may not realize is that those moments are really victories within the heavenly realm (re-read the great mystery of our faith to see how Jesus is truly vindicated…from flesh by the Spirit and into heaven…the flesh part was painful). God’s economy isn’t always understood by human understanding, because His ways are far greater than our ways, and “we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Rom 8:28)
In today’s passage from Revelation 15, we are being prepared for the pouring out of the bowl of God’s judgement in chapter 16. Today, the beast thought that he got rid of his enemies, but they came back with their sovereign Lord for His vindication. The Holy Spirit gives John another sign of the future world dictator and his religious system. The seven angels seen here are different from previous chapters, and the seven plagues completes the Tribulation period. Next, in chapter 16, the bowl of judgements will conclude God’s judgment on the world. But, for now, the martyrs who conquered the beast stand by the sea of glass and enter into worship for the Almighty Lord God, the King of all nations, for He ALONE is holy, and only His righteous deeds are revealed (because He is the true Vindicator against ALL evil).
Revelation 15:1-4 NLT
The Song of Moses and of the Lamb
1 Then I saw in heaven another marvelous event of great significance. Seven angels were holding the seven last plagues, which would bring God’s wrath to completion. 2 I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. 3 And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations.
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Vindicator. Even when I cannot see it, I know that You are working within the heavenly realm on my behalf and for my good. Help me to grow in my faith, and to press even firmer, into You, when things are hard. Lead me, Father, to bring more hearts to Your Kingdom. I ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant