- Far Beyond Man’s Tinkering

We have become complacent about scientific technology and space exploration. We even joke about all the American and Russian metal orbiting the earth and speculate that some sort of a space traffic cop will soon be necessary to keep the traffic lanes open! But these things that mankind and nations do as a result of their science and technology are as nothing compared with the shaking that will occur after the opening of the sixth seal. At least up until this time, our discoveries and experiments in space have not affected the sun and the stars. But God intends to take things out of human hands and human control. In an instant he will convince mankind and nations of the fatal mistake they have made—the mistake of forgetting God and elevating human ability and performance in the place of God.

What God has to say to us in Revelation 6 is a sobering preview. Even for us who are Christians it is difficult to realize the extent of this divine judgment upon our earth. In a word, all inhabitants left on the earth—”kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man”—will be reduced to helplessness and stark fear. Regardless of status, rank or position, men and women will seek a hiding place from God’s wrath: “They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?’

God is obliged to bring this event to pass. Proud and sinful humans, in their blasphemous pursuits, have long profaned the name of Jesus, the heavenly Lamb. They have imagined themselves smart enough, able enough, strong enough to be successful in their rebellion against the suffering Savior.