God Has A Trigger Point: Romans 1:18-19
“18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19) because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. Romans 1:18-19
Since the time of the fall of Adam and Eve, a battle has been raging throughout human history. Satan as the master of deception has been trying to suppress the truth of God in unrighteousness. And no wonder, for John 8:44 exposes him as a lier and the father of lies. By contrast, in John 14:4 Jesus calls himself the way, and the truth, and the life… He is the only way to the Father.
Paul exposes this battle in Romans 1:18. He then makes the observation that God always shows up with His wrath to stop Satan and his evil schemes. There is a very real sense in which God’s wrath is Divine intervention. God always steps in before total evil can reign.
God intervened in the ancient world through Noah and the flood. He stopped the reign of evil. God intervened in Sodom and Gomorrah. He stopped the reign of evil. Throughout human history God has intervened time and again to stop the reign of evil in the world.
Here is the key, “unrighteousness always works to suppresses the truth!” Never forget this principle. It happens in nations and it happens to individuals. Satan wants to blind minds, obscure truth and lead people into captivity.
But the good news is that God always intervenes. He has a trigger point where He will let evil go no further. The goodness of God always steps in to prevent the ultimate reign of evil. Let me illustrate this concept in with a very fresh personal illumination.
I have a digital alarm clock next to my bed. I often wake up in the night and look over to see the time. This morning I woke up and looked over to see 3:33 on my alarm clock. I thought to myself, “Wow, that’s really interesting.” Then I starting thinking through the possible scenario’s. I could see 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55 … but then I stopped with an astounding realization … I will never see 6:66 on my alarm clock. Why? Because right after 6:59, the big 7:00 suddenly shines across the screen.
This morning, I realized that God has left a witness of Himself in time itself. According to Revelation 13:18, the number 666 is the number of the beast. His goal is to rule and reign. He will push his evil and deception again in the end times, but his plans will be interrupted by the return of the perfect One. The number “7” in the Bible is the number of completion and perfection. Just like on my digital alarm clock, right at after 6:59, Jesus is going to return and prevent the reign of evil. Throughout human history, God has never allowed 666 to fully be achieved.
This small illumination about the nature of time itself was a major blessing to me this morning. I don’t know what time it is right now in the world. Many believe the end is very close. It might be 6:55… but I am not going to be overcome by a frenzy of fear, because I understand with great certainty that 666 will never be realized… because 7:00 is about the step in and intervene.
Gods Word is always exact. Did you notice what Paul said in Romans 1:18? “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” If you want to take this to the next level, read Revelation 19:11-16 and see the description of how the King of King and Lord of Lords is going to be revealed from heaven. He is coming with wrath against the evil one and all unrighteousness. He will stop Satan’s goal to rule and reign on earth with his full scene of evil.
Terry Baxter
State Representative Iowa House District 8
