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Read: Revelation 15:1-16:7 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways, King of the nations!’ Revelation 15:3a

I know where I was when I heard that Russia had invaded Ukraine, and the immediate

feeling of injustice for all those caught up in another unnecessary war. If I was

shouting ‘This is not fair’ to God, I’m sure the Ukraines were shouting all the more;

perhaps you can relate? God’s people have been there, of course, not least during

their time in Egypt, and yet God brought them out, and standing on the shores of the

Red Sea Moses they sang a hymn of praise. That Red Sea episode seems to be what

those in heaven have in mind as they sing their Song in 15:3-4, and when I first read

this I wondered why? Since then God’s people have grown significantly, of course,

and yet still injustice reigns, still those in power oppress those ‘below’ them, and still

many deny the Lord. Like God’s people in Egypt many Christians are now crying out,

having no one to hear them but God. Will He act again? Our reading today answers

emphatically ‘yes’.

Uncomfortable as we may find it, for evil to be overcome, for injustice to be made

right, for God to be seen for who He truly is, judgement must fall on those who

commit evil. Just as plagues fell on the Egyptians in the Exodus story, so we’re told

God’s anger will fall on those who continue to act against His people (16:1). Time

and again God has worked in human history to end evil regimes: just think of the

empires of fascism, communism, and apartheid of the last century. One day He will

do it again, and this time it will be forever. Then God’s people, His Church, will once

again ‘sing the song of Moses’ (15:3a) as heaven finally comes to reign on earth.

In this time of Advent we look forward to celebrating the birth of a baby who marked

the beginning of the end for all evil, for this baby was God Himself. In just a few days

time we will be singing songs of triumph, to our God, echoing the song of Moses,

as we cry out ‘Joy to the World’. As we prepare for that joyful celebration, let us be

praying for those who are oppressed around the world and for persecuted Christians,

certain that He who came before will one day come again to save us once and for all.

The Revd Michael Print, Vicar of St George’s and All Saints’, Chorley.