Mercy triumphs over judgment What words or images come to mind when you think of God’s judgment? Do you imagine horror, fear, finality? Do you imagine the end of the world? Destiny in heaven and hell? For what we think and feel about God’s judgment strongly influences what we think and feel about God and fellow man. Let’s examine scripture to find a range of God’s judgments, and then explore what scripture says happens next. Prominent judgments in scripture Note carefully the frequently repeated pattern of mercy appearing within judgment. 1. Exiled from Eden — Genesis 3:14–19, 23. 2. The flood — Genesis 6:11–14. 3. Sodom & Gomorrah — Genesis 19:23–29. 4. The Name of the LORD — Exodus 34:6, 7. 5. Judgments against the [Gentile] Nations — 1. Egypt — Exodus 12:12; Isaiah 19:1–251; Jeremiah 46:1–28; Ezekiel 29–32. 2. Babylon — Isaiah 13:1–14:23; 21:1–17; Jeremiah 50:1–51:64. 3. Assyria — Isaiah 14:24–27. 4. Philistia — Isaiah 14:28–32; Jeremiah 47:1–7; Ezekiel 25:15–17. 5. Moab — Isaiah 15:1—16:14; Jeremiah 48:1–47; Ezekiel 25:8–11. 6. Ammon — Jeremiah 49:1–6; Ezekiel 25:1–7. 7. Damascus — Isaiah 17:1–14; Jeremiah 49:23–27. 8. Cush — Isaiah 18:1–7. 9. Tyre — Isaiah 23:1—18; Ezekiel 26:1–28:9. 10. Sidon — Isaiah 23:1–18; Ezekiel 28:20–26. 11. Edom — Isaiah 34:1–17; Jeremiah 49:7–22. 12. All the nations on earth — Isaiah 24:1–23. 6. Judgments against Israel — 1. Isaiah 22:1–25. 2. Isaiah 28:1–29:24. 3. Isaiah 30:1–31:9. 4. Jeremiah 5:14–6:30. 5. Ezekiel 12–242. 1 See: http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/biblical-horizons/no-116-five-cities-and-isaiah-19/ 2 Fifteen different prophecies against Israel appear in these twelve chapters. www.melbsdb.com.au 14 Rathmines Road, East Hawthorne, Melbourne God’s self-revelation “[Yahweh’s] mercy endures forever” — Psalm 136:1. “Mercy triumphs over judgment” — James 2:13. “I came to seek and save the perished3” — Luke 19:10. “Just as you [Gentiles] were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they [Israel] too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all [Israel & Gentiles] to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all” — Romans 11:30–32. Mercy following judgment in scripture Not only is God’s mercy frequently inscribed within judgment, but God’s mercy is frequently shown to follow judgment. 1. Exile from Eden — 1. Victory of Jesus — John 12:31; Luke 10:18; Ephesians 4:8. 2. Life in the Second Adam — Romans 5:14, 17–19; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45. 3. Living with God — Revelation 21:3. 2. The flood — 1 Peter 3:18–20; 1 Peter 4:6. 3. Sodom & Gomorrah — Ezekiel 16:53–55. 4. The Name of the LORD — Exodus 34:6, 7. 5. Judgments against the [Gentile] Nations — 1. Individual Gentiles welcomed into the covenant — Isaiah 56:1–8; Ephesians 3:6. 2. Gentile Nations uniting with Israel — Isaiah 19:16–25; Revelation 21:24–26. 3. The death of death — Isaiah 25:1–12; Revelation 20:14. 6. Judgments against Israel — 1. Redemption of Israel — Isaiah 27:1–13; Isaiah 43:1–28. 2. Restorer of Israel & and the Nations — Isaiah 49:1–6. 3. Year of the Yahweh’s Favour — Isaiah 61–62. 4. Recreation — Isaiah 65:17–25; Revelation 21–22. 3 The Greek word that stands behind lost is frequently translated perished and destroyed. page !2 of !3 www.melbsdb.com.au 14 Rathmines Road, East Hawthorne, Melbourne Final mercy The final scene depicted in scripture underscores God’s emphasis on mercy following judgment. Revelation 21 & 22 depicts three divisions of people: 1. Those within the New Jerusalem (God’s Bride) — Revelation 21:1–4; 21:10–14. 2. The nations who were not part of New Jerusalem, but who have repented and are now marching through its open gates and partaking of the tree of life which is provided to heal them — Revelation 21:24–27; 22:2. 3. Those consigned to the lake of fire / outside the city — Revelation 21:7–8; 22:15. And Jesus says (who is He talking to?): “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” And the Spirit and the Bride say: “Come.” And those who hear say: “Come.” And the final, mercy-filled invitation is (to whom is this being said?): “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” page !3 of !3.