How does Revelation 16:7 affirm God's justice in His judgments? “And I heard the altar reply: ‘Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.’” The Speaking Altar • The altar was earlier pictured as holding “the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God” (Revelation 6:9-10). • Their cry for vindication is now answered; the altar itself affirms that every plague being poured out is righteous. • Scripture shows altars as meeting places between God and humanity (Exodus 20:24). Here the meeting point literally voices approval of His actions. True and Just—The Weight of Those Words • “True” (alēthinos) underscores that God’s judgments are wholly reliable—no exaggeration, no mistake. • “Just” (dikaios) declares them morally perfect—He gives each person precisely what is deserved. • Deuteronomy 32:4 echoes the same two ideas: “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice.” Why the Plagues Are Righteous • Revelation 16:5-6 explains that those under judgment “shed the blood of saints and prophets,” so God “has given them blood to drink.” Justice mirrors the crime. • Romans 2:5 shows the principle behind it: unrepentant hearts are “storing up wrath” for themselves. • God’s wrath is not capricious; it is measured, purposeful retaliation against persistent evil (Nahum 1:2-3). Scripture Echoes of Divine Justice • Psalm 19:9 — “The judgments of the LORD are true and altogether righteous.” • Revelation 15:3-4 — Tribulation martyrs sing, “Righteous and true are Your ways… All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” • Revelation 19:1-2 — The heavenly multitude declares, “For His judgments are true and just; He has avenged the blood of His servants.” • These passages bookend the bowl judgments, repeatedly stressing the same verdict: God’s justice is flawless. Living in Light of God’s Justice • Confidence — Because His judgments are true, believers can rest secure that evil will not go unanswered (Psalm 37:28). • Sobriety — Knowing His justice is certain, people are urged to repent while grace is offered (Acts 17:30-31). • Worship — The proper response mirrors the altar’s proclamation: “Yes, Lord God Almighty,” agreeing with Him in reverent praise (Psalm 145:17). Revelation 16:7, then, is heaven’s concise, authoritative verdict: every act God performs in judgment is perfectly accurate and morally right. |
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