A Deeper Love

“Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.” (Revelation 15:7-8)

If you have read any of the devotions in this series on Revelation, you know the hard times that will come on any non-believer who has to go through the tribulation period. Especially for those who choose Jesus, once this time is in full effect, they will have to live through some brutal circumstances. Of course, we do not want to see our loved ones go through this.

Perhaps when you read through Revelation, your mind goes right to a specific person, and you question whether they truly know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. You read the description of what they would go through if they were not raptured, and your heart aches for them. But there is even more to it than that. When we think of the suffering, we immediately think of hell or the tribulation period.

And while hell is the worst of it all, without a doubt, and the tribulation will be awful, there is also a life here on earth. And a life apart from Jesus is filled with troubles, conflict, heartbreak, disappointment, and depression. Sure, someone might go through high moments when they are living in sin. But as high as their highs get, the lows are even lower. They reap what they sow, and the consequences always outweigh the act.

So what about now? Maybe that person you are thinking of is not just headed down the wrong road in the end, but they are struggling NOW. So many believers hesitate to speak the bold, cold, hard truth to that person because they do not want to hurt the relationship. But a deeper love says, I care more about you as a person. I care more about where you are going, and even how your life is right now, than what you think of me.

If you truly love that person, be willing to show them a deeper love. And don’t just do this to seal up their eternity, which is the most important thing for sure. But also remember, you can help change their life in the here and now too. Is that not a win-win? Choose a deeper love.