Many people view Christianity as a rigid set of rules they have no interest in following, which leads them to dislike God. I could not disagree more. God loves us and created us in His image. He knows exactly what we need to be joyful and fulfilled, and He always, always wants what is best for us.
The entire purpose of the Bible is to provide us with this wisdom—to teach us what is good for us and what is bad for us. This guidance is given out of His profound love for humanity.
Evil Does Not Win Because of God’s Justice
A central theme in the Bible, particularly highlighted in the book Revelation: The Ultimate Hope in Christ, is that evil will not triumph. Jesus Himself confirms this in His final words recorded in the Bible:
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:12-16)
Many find these words frightening, but I find them deeply encouraging. Jesus came to earth to save us from condemnation and death. If we choose to repent and follow Him, we are granted the right to the tree of life and welcomed into the eternal city. Those who turn their back on Him, however, are justly punished based on their own actions.
If there were no justice for sin, evil would ultimately win. Because God is Holy, He cannot tolerate sin and evil deeds; He must punish all sin. This is why He wiped out the entire human race with the flood during the time of Noah, saving only eight people.
Jesus draws a direct parallel between the time of Noah and His second coming:
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.” (Matthew 24:36-40)
Peace in Divine Justice
The fact that evil does not win makes me joyful, not sad. The knowledge that Jesus sits on His throne and that God is perfectly loving and just makes life worth living.
Putting my trust in Jesus, following His laws and rules. Repenting when I make mistakes gives me total peace and comfort. I don’t need to worry about anything; everything is totally taken care of. I am freed from anger, bitterness, or resentment. Living my life confident that all the evil and wrongs of the world will eventually be swept away. Hallelujah!
The Gift of Free Will
Many ask how I can love a God who allows so much suffering. My response is that we each choose our path, and God allows us the free will to do very bad things. He wants us to choose Him freely, not to be forced or coerced.
I think of my cat: Do I want to force him to sit on my lap. Or do I want him to choose to come and sit there, purring contently?
That is why God gives us the opportunity to choose Him by repenting and following Jesus. Those who don’t will be judged by their own actions and will perish, as they should.
Reading the book of Revelation leaves no doubt that we all must repent for our sins and turn toward Jesus! I encourage everyone to do just that, so they can live their best life. Knowing that God and His son Jesus will take care of everything.