Revelation 17 -- Prostitutes and Beasts

One of the strangest chapters ever.  Full of symbolism and images of things that once were, are not, yet will come back again.  Whoa.

I loved verse 7 when the angel says, "Why are you astonished?  I will explain...".

The explanation wasn't the easiest thing I've ever tried to understand, but I certainly appreciate the idea that God and His angels realize that these writings aren't all that easy to comprehend for us human beings.

Overall, what I mostly see is that evil is going to be dealt with.  The sources of evil are going to be dealt with.  Evil is going to be eradicated, and what's left will be nothing but good.  That sounds pretty fantastic.

Revelation 16 - 7 Bowls of Wrath

I don't know what to feel when I read something like this chapter.  Should I feel grateful that our God deals with evil?  I think so.  Should I feel afraid because our God clearly doesn't mess around?  Probably.  Should I be distraught because of the people who are going to be the recipient of this wrath?  Yes?  I think? 

I don't like to read about 100 pound hailstones falling on people who are cursing God the whole time.  That is not a feel good story to me.  But I know He is to be trusted and everything He does is born out of a perfect, infinite love that I can't begin to imagine. 

I have heard it said that only in comfortable suburbia do we long for a God who deals with everything and everyone gently and quietly.  There are billions of people all over the world who have been crying out for justice for centuries.  They will get their justice.  I see that in this chapter.