What powerful scripture we find in Revelation 19! “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.” When reading this, we recall the Gospel of John. “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God.” People are confronted by God through the Word, which is all powerful. No one, not even the strongest and most deceptive evil that attacks the church from outside or from within, can stand against the Word.

Many people are cynical about justice in today’s world. There is so much evil for which we see no quick justice. We can use this as an excuse to throw up our hands and quit trying. Some want to withdraw from the world, going off in remote places to live. The Word of God calls us to do just the opposite: We are to give of our service to the world for God. True justice is in God’s hands, not a court system we have devised. The important thing is that we have faith in God and that we are faithful in service. Then we have the assurance that our names are written in the book of life.

That God will prevail in the end gives us no reason to be haughty. Christ taught that our proper response is service. He stooped to wash the feet of the disciples. He told the followers that the greatest of all is the servant of all. Those whom he chose to serve most were the outcast and down trodden. Feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the sick and those in prison. Love your neighbor as yourself!

—Dr. Robert Craig

• Have you heard people argue over the various images in this scripture so that they miss the big message?
• What measure do we use to remember that we should “judge not lest we be judged”? How does God’s measure differ from ours?
• What resources do we as Christians have to deal with cynicism?
• When we consider the mercy of God, in what way should we respond to the idea that “Life is not fair”?

How Do I Act?

1. Think of ways that your church can help teens who lead troubled lives. Put a plan of action in place to do this.
2. Service is just as important to a good steward as giving of resources. Try to think of ways that you can serve someone instead of giving “silver and gold.”
3. The use of our time is important in stewardship. Make a point to spend more time with your family and church family, if you believe you don’t spend enough now. Then, make that a habit.
4. Reflect on the difference between mercy and “feeling sorry for someone.” If you know someone who is unemployed, think of merciful ways the church can help and them put them into action.