Continuing through the Book of Revelation, the middle chapters — in particular, Chapters 6, 8-9, and 15-18 — recount various devastations and plagues being released upon the earth, thus ushering in the second coming of Christ. Revelation was written by John, beloved apostle and friend of Jesus; and this Book recounts John’s vision of Heaven and the second coming of Jesus.

It’s easy to get lost in the imagery that John records — the imagery is difficult and tragic and confusing at times. There is a great earthquake (Revelation 6: 12) and the stars of the sky fall to the earth (Revelation 6: 13). People on earth scatter and hide in caves and among the rocks; and beg to be hidden from “the wrath of the Lamb.” (Revelation 6: 15-17)

As the story continues, powerful angels, blowing their trumpets, unleash continued woes upon the earth. Hail and fire, mixed with blood, fall to the earth; “and a third of the earth was burnt up, and a third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” (Revelation 8: 7) At one point, “a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light was darkened; a third of the day was kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.” (Revelation 8: 12) Locusts are released from a bottomless pit. They look like horses, “arrayed for battle;” (Revelation 9: 7) and “they have tails like scorpions, and stings, and their power of hurting men for five months lies in their tails.” (Revelation 9: 10)

In Chapter 18, John records the fall of Babylon. Babylon could be a direct reference to pagan Rome; but broadly, it can be viewed here as a reference to any power, imperial or otherwise, that renounces Christian religion and its beliefs:

“Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great! It has become a dwelling place of demons, a haunt of every foul spirit, a haunt of every foul and hateful bird … In one hour has your judgment come … The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendor are lost to you, never to be found again!” (Revelation 18: 2, 10, 14)

I am sharing in this post just a few of the woes and events recorded by John in Revelation. In the midst of this imagery, there are also observations by John that are amazingly simple and clear. For instance:

“The rest of mankind, who were not killed by the plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot either see or hear or walk; nor did they repent of their sorceries or their immorality or their thefts.” Revelation 9: 20-21

It seems impossible to conceive that in this final fight between good and evil — when death and chaos are everywhere and the end is near — that John observes people still unwilling to leave behind their sins. How can this be? And how can God let His beloved people wallow and wither in sin? Isaiah provides some perspective:

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities [or immoral behavior] have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59: 1-2

Isaiah has captured the devastation of sin — it separates us from God so that we can no longer hear His voice.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “We reap what we sow.” The phrase is based on these verses from Galatians:

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6: 7-8

St. Paul is the author of these words to the Galatians. He is reminding us that choosing to be ruled by our flesh and our emotions leads to sinful living. Looking with fresh eyes again at Revelation 9: 20-21, we understand that the eternal danger we face is becoming so lost in the hypocrisy and lies and lawlessness of sin left unchecked that we can no longer see or hear what is True and Good — We can no longer see or hear God.

But all is not lost, for we have the gift of the Book of Revelation.

What I relish about Revelation is that it slows me down — way down. John’s writing makes me reflect deeply on how I am living. This reflection matters because it’s the only way any of us can truly understand where and how our sinfulness is impacting how we love — and how we are loved by others.

St. Paul reminds us in Romans that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3: 23) And within Revelation, John is showing us the devastating consequences of sin. Despite what the modern world and our own emotions may try to tell us, John is telling us that Hell is a very real thing:
Hell is eternal separation from God.

St. Paul reminds us that all is not lost:

“[We] are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by His blood, to be received by faith.” (Romans 3: 24-25)

John, the beloved apostle and friend of Jesus, shares these words earlier in the New Testament:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1: 9) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16)

It is uncomfortable to read many parts of Revelation. If we are honest with ourselves, we all find pieces of our lives there that fall short of God’s plans of goodness for us. And yes, the fierce imagery of John’s vision burns heavily on our hearts and minds.

But more and more, I also see clearly within John’s imagery the Sacred Heart of Jesus on fire with His love for us. Through John, Jesus is trying to tell us that our choices here on earth matter. The words and images are dramatic, but Jesus is fighting for our souls.

The wonder of it all is so beautiful to contemplate.

Jesus loves you deeply.

Do not let any thing — or any person — ever separate you from His Love.

Before Jesus was arrested, He prayed these words to His Father in Heaven, pleading with God for His disciples and for all others who will believe in Him through their testimony:

“‘Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to behold My glory which You have given Me in your love for Me before the foundation of the world.'” John 17: 24