Our struggling economy took another hit when the United States’ credit rating was downgraded for the first time in history. This sent the stock market tumbling and made many people even more anxious about the future. Whether this is just a bump in the road or the trigger to the economic downfall of the United States remains to be seen. But even during uncertain times like these, we should be reminded of some important reasons why we ought to praise God.
As John was shown a vision prophesying of the fall of Rome, one of the consequences of the empire’s fall was an economic collapse.
“And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more… The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’” (Revelation 18:11, 15-19).
Interestingly, as the merchants were mourning over the fall of Rome, Christians were told to rejoice.
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her” (Revelation 18:20).
The people of God, though not the direct recipients of His wrath, would surely have to endure some economic consequences as the result of Rome — the engine of the global economy — being ruined. So why were Christians to rejoice? It was because God had “pronounced judgment for [them] against her.” Rome was earlier described as being “drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus” (Revelation 17:6). In overthrowing Rome, God “avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her” (Revelation 19:2). Despite the economic hardships created by the fall of a world power, Christians were to rejoice.
Of course, we want to be careful about inferring that certain similarities between Rome and the United States means that God is at work bringing down our economy in judgment. The Scriptures prophesy of divine involvement in the toppling of Rome (Daniel 2:40-45), but we have no such prophesy about God being directly involved in anything like this with regard to the twenty-first century United States. However, the book of Revelation gives some reasons for Christians to praise God — even in the midst of an economic crisis — that would certainly apply today. Following the destruction of Rome, we read of a multitude in heaven offering their praise to God.
“After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.’
“Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns’” (Revelation 19:1-2, 6).
Contrasting the uncertainty of an economic crisis and corresponding political turmoil with the facts about who God is and what He has done, we have great cause to praise Him. Notice the reasons why the great multitude in heaven praised God.
Salvation — By the grace of God, salvation is available to all men (Titus 2:11). As a result, all that will be obedient to Him will be saved (Hebrews 5:9). Though the material things for which man strives can be taken away or destroyed, the people of God have “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). Through Him we can “obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away,” which is “reserved in heaven” for us (1 Peter 1:4).
His Glory and Power — God is the only one worthy of our worship. Angels were not to be worshipped (Revelation 22:8-9). Apostles were not to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26). Civil authorities were not to be worshipped (Acts 12:21-23). Material things were not to be worshipped (Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Colossians 3:5). As the angel told John, “Worship God” (Revelation 22:9). God is exclusively worthy of worship because He is all-powerful (Ephesians 3:20), our creator (Romans 1:20) and sustainer (Colossians 1:16-17), and the one who has the power to destroy this world in the last day (2 Peter 3:12).
Judgment — Though the judgments of man are often flawed, prejudiced and corrupt, God’s judgments are “true and righteous” (Revelation 19:2; cf. Psalm 19:9). This is because God is perfectly impartial (Acts 10:34-35) and His judgments are based upon the perfect standard — His word (John 12:48; Psalm 19:7; 119:160). In His perfect justice, He will punish those who are evil (Revelation 6:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6) and reward those who are righteous (Hebrews 11:6, 26).
He Reigns — The Lord possesses “all authority” (Matthew 28:18). He is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21). Furthermore, though the kingdoms of earth may rise and fall, God’s kingdom “will never be destroyed… but it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44).
There is no person or group that accurately claim these things that have been attributed to God. Though we may face uncertainty in the months and years ahead, we have the promise of God, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). We can be “content in whatever circumstances” we may find ourselves in (Philippians 4:11). Even if our once strong economy crumbles around us, let us not forget the great reasons for continuing to offer our praise to our God.
