August 29 Silent Until

Luke 23:8-12 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends – before this they had been enemies.
 
JESUS stood silent amid evil. What would he say? Would Herod care? No, Herod had already killed John the Baptist, who spoke God’s judgment. His evil was bound in sensual immorality. He attempted to bring Jesus down into a gross form of sensual pleasure. Yes, evil has its day against the Son of God.
    But one day the Lamb’s judgment will loudly pour from heaven. Massive destruction will end mankind’s mocking manipulation of the Lord God. See this remarkable vision the Lord gave to the apostle John in Revelation 8:1-2, 5 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets…5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. How loud God’s judgment will be throughout the universe!
    Read through Revelation 7-8. Hear how only Jesus, the Lamb, was worthy to open the seventh seal. Imagine hearing the uncountable multitudes worship God the Father and the Lamb. Fully receive the eternal promise: Revelation 7:17 “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
    The heinous Herod and his loathsome court will one day face the terrors of the Lamb’s holy judgment. Herod and Pilate became friends for eternity in torment.
    Horrific is the sinner’s destination. When we watch the world daily manipulate God into its sensual pleasures, we must believe the Day of the Lord will come. Be silent to refrain from gossip and judgment. Sound God’s gospel grace with love, mercy, kindness, gentleness and forgiveness.
    Pray for God’s mercy on their souls, so they will be counted among the uncountable multitudes in heaven.  
     
Prayer: I pray my tongue is silent in judgment, loosened in the gospel, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.