John saw that this Jesus who he walked and lived with on the earth, was now again what he always had been.

king of kings, lord of lords.

The eternal God.

The mighty one of Israel.

Ruler of all ages, not only of the present age, but all the ages that have been, and all the ages that will be.

He is the one that regulates the affairs of all his creatures.

All things are held together by his direct power.

He is before all things, he is the power that holds all things together.

What he chooses to do, no one can stop.

What he stops no one can start.

He is the one that sets up Kingdoms and empires, but he is also the one who removes them when the purpose of their use is over.

He is not waiting to rule the earth some day, he is ruling the earth now.

Just because the world is unable see this, doesn’t mean that its not true.

His great appearing in the clouds of glory, will be his self revelation of this historic truth.

This is what John saw, he saw the messiah Jesus who was supposed to set up a earthly kingdom on earth in the land of Israel, now universal lord and king of all things.

His universal rule someday will be a visible present rule, but that day waits until he has first put all his enemies under his feet.

This world is not spinning out of control; the man of the glory is controlling all the affairs of this world.

He is not waiting to be judge he is the judge of the world now.

Yes there is a future judgment to come, but there is also a present judgment now.

He disciplines the nations of the earth, he also disciplines the sins and rebellions of his people.

It might be hidden to the natural eyes, but behind the rod of his hidden wrath, is the hand of this man of glory.

He is the beginning of all things, but he is also the end of all things.

The things that are coming at the close of this age will stagger us unless we see that he is Lord of all events.

His judgments are his self-revelation to us, he reveals himself in his judgments.

The revelation of his mercy is hidden in his judgments.

We cannot see his mercy unless we see his judgments.

The cross was the greatest revelation of the mercy of God, but it was only revealed through the greatest revelation of the judgment of God?

God does not just wink at our rebellions and sins, his righteousness requires his judgment.

But when his judgment has been satisfied then his mercy is revealed.

Mercy is always revealed in his judgments.

If we cower from his judgments in our lives, we will not see his mercy in our lives.

Grace is free but its not cheap, it cost the Son of God everything.

If we refuse his discipline in our lives, we also refuse his Grace and mercy in our lives.

The cross is a revelation of both.

His judgment in our lives should not frighten us.

They are one of the great attributes of God, its what makes him God, its what he is, he is a judge over all his creatures.

Looking back at my life I thank God for his judgments, were would I be without them?