The history of God’s judgment on Earth and verses about his judgment in the book of Revelation have caused some to question his goodness. Though it may be difficult for some to imagine a loving God, judging the earth, human wisdom doesn’t see all the factors that God does. His justice is merciful in preventing ongoing misery.
In the case of the Flood, when things were almost universally corrupt with rampant cruelty and violence, it was time for a reset so people could live in peace and happiness. Whether some innocent people may have died along the way isn’t the biggest issue for him because he can resurrect them just as he was resurrected, to enjoy the Earth forever after its recreation.
According to the principle of cultural revelations of Christ, a visual example that helps make sense of God’s judgment can be seen in the movie “Pale Rider,” starring Clint Eastwood. The film hints that “Preacher” might be dead, and Eastwood said the character is “a ghost,” but scripture clarifies that the dead are not aware and are just resting in the grave until the resurrection. His likeness is a better match to the likeness of Christ, who was dead and then resurrected.
The Preacher first came in answer to prayer and when he arrives on a pale horse as the family is reading Revelation 6 about the pale horse whose rider is death. He has 6 bullet hole scars on his back, which would have been lethal. Jesus also has scars to prove he was dead. And he appeared and disappeared in different places after his resurrection, like the Preacher disappears and only his hat was still there.
After helping those he calls his “friends,” as Jesus called his followers, Preacher goes to settle an “old score.” This seems to imply judgment of those who killed him and who are persecuting his friends. On the way to face them, he throws dynamite sticks at their work camp. When he gets to the town, he wreaks havoc on them and they can’t kill him no matter how many times they try.
These themes connect with global themes of Christ’s judgment through the four horsemen prophecy of Revelation. And it makes sense when you see the characters and how some of them are corrupt and intent on persecuting innocent people. The example is basically what God is doing anytime he judges the earth.
But some vestiges of Flood evidence, while providing a reminder of God’s judgment, also speak of his great mercy. Geological layers, seen in places such as the Grand Canyon, were obviously formed by water. Being perfectly flat with no topsoil between them, there is no way they could have formed slowly. After the layers formed, while still soft, a dam likely breached that carved out the Grand Canyon.
Such layers stand as reminders of how water sculpted the earth as we now know it. But the colorful bands in this and other canyons, such as Utah’s Bentonite Hills and the Paria River Canyon, also remind of God’s rainbow promise never again to destroy the earth by water (Genesis 9:13-17).
And the canyons provide a visual resemblance to the foundations of the New Jerusalem, as described in Revelation 21:19-20. They make it easy to envision how the God who made such layers with subtle nuances of minerals and crystals is building a beautiful city for his people, which has “foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10).
In this way, these desolate Flood wastelands are transformed into emblems of eternal redemption by the God who delights in turning tragedy to triumph in grand style. And in this, we see a shining example of how things that may seem random are often by design. From the cosmos to the continents, the atmosphere to the oceans, there is symmetry and order underlying the appearance of randomness.
Not that every storm or tragedy happens by God’s intent. Most occur because the natural order became imbalanced after our first parents rebelled, compounded by ongoing environmental impacts. Nevertheless, the Creator’s handiwork can often still be seen.
We find more canyon echoes of God’s unending love through the name connection with the Paria region and its “rainbow mountains,” which is one of the most strikingly colorful regions in the US. Paria, or pariah, refers to someone who is despised or outcast from society. This reminds of Bible verses that speak of God’s compassion for such individuals.
In Luke 14:21, Jesus spoke of gathering “the poor and maimed and blind and lame” into the heavenly banquet supper. Isaiah 56 pronounces blessings on strangers and eunuchs who choose the things that please God and take hold of his covenant (verse 4), saying:
Neither let the foreigner, that has joined himself to HWHY, speak, saying, “HWHY will surely separate me from his people,” neither let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree…” 5 Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. Isaiah 56:3, 5
And of outcasts it says: “The Lord HWHY, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, ‘Yet will I gather others to him, besides his own that are gathered,’” (Isaiah 56:8). I can’t help but think such verses are for those who are struggling to find their place in the world. Eunuchs represent those who don’t easily fit within gender categories for various reasons. Genetics, abuse, and mixed messages are among the factors often involved.
To those, God is saying, “Do not despair.” We aren’t defined by externals, but by character. Though God cannot condone a path that will lead to more pain and confusion, he sees your struggles and has compassion on your sorrows. God has a rainbow promise for you. Not the disappointing mirage this world offers, but something so much better.
A group that has been referred to as pariahs is the Dalits, India’s most subordinated caste. Individuals from this caste have faced ongoing persecution and discrimination, often being forced into dehumanizing and hazardous labor. They face barriers to education, intimidation, and humiliation in many places.
It’s inspiring to think that providence would arrange for this symbolism of the New Jerusalem to connect with them by name. It sends the message that God is watching human activities with a close eye. He has endowed humanity with a conscience, the Holy Spirit moving upon our hearts, so everyone who mistreats others will have to answer for it someday. Jesus, who will judge the earth, put himself in the place of those who suffer mistreatment:
Then the King will say to them… “Inasmuch as you did it to one of these my brethren, even the least, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:34-36, 40
This shouldn’t be taken to mean opening the door to every stranger, of course. Common sense is always in order for reasonable safety precautions. Jesus made this clear in Matthew 10:16 when he said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be… wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” But there are many things we can do to reach out to others in our daily lives to show kindness.
Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who are persecuted and reviled for righteousness (Matthew 5:10, 11), which could apply to those who are mistreated when they don’t deserve it. First Peter 2:20 indicates that those who take such treatment patiently when they suffer wrongfully are acceptable to God.
Not that anyone should take a victim mentality. It’s clear from Bible teachings and examples that the religion of Christ is proactive, even to the point of standing up to earthly authority sometimes. We can’t always control what happens, though, and should seek to live at peace with everyone as far as possible (Romans 12:18). So, it’s better to keep your heart at peace when things are beyond your control and hope in Christ.
Through the naming of this region, God is sending a message to the pariahs of every land continuous with Matthew 19:30 that says, “Many will be last that are first; and the first last.” To the ones who are not looked at as being important, he is saying, “Hold on, don’t give up, I’m coming for you.” He’s building his city on Pariah hill, and no one will overrule his judgment.
God loves those who are doing the persecuting every bit as much as he loves those who are persecuted; it’s just harder for him to reach them because they rarely feel their need of help. Yet, it can be a multitude of factors that contribute to hateful attitudes, including emotional scars and personal insecurities. So, we should be cautious about making sweeping character judgments, while still holding people accountable for their actions.
When you think of the Apostle Paul, there’s hope for even these. He was initially one of the most energetic persecutors of the cause he eventually joined. This is why Jesus said to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), and why Paul himself later said to “Bless them that persecute you; bless and curse not,” (Romans 12:14).
But this likeness of paradise, hidden in plain sight, is not just a promise for the future. It teaches how to make Heaven on Earth even now through its links associated with human kindness. Treating others as you would want to be treated is the principle that pervades all Heaven. This is the summary of God’s law, as Matthew 7:12 teaches.
The sandstone sediments also remind us that the grains of time are slipping by, and opportunity is soon to close (2 Corinthians 6:2). Whatever we must do to draw close to God now will be worth it, since this is going to be too beautiful to miss:
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem… 18 And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. Revelation 21:10, 18-20
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Parts of this article are excerpted from my book, Nautical Allegories of the Bible, now available on Amazon in eBook and paperback formats, with excerpts free to read online at this web page.
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