Te angel’s directive in verse 4 is, “Come out of her.” Do not


be a participant in her evil. Separate from her deeds and her punishment. According to the angel, she stands to receive not simply the commensurate torture that she administered, but double the agony and suffering that she caused (compare verse 6 with Jer. 50:15, 29; 51:24, 35; Isaiah 34; 40:2). Notice how the angel says, “Her sins are piled up to heaven.


God has remembered her crimes” (verse 5, NIRV). As it turns out, God knows everything. God has been keeping track and does not forget what has not been confessed.


I have met quite a few Adventists who actually agree with and condone what, to me, looks like textbook oppression, exploitation, and injustice. They should know that God sees them, too.


What has she done that is so horrendous, you might ask? Te


answer is interspersed throughout chapters 17 and 18, but Rev. 17:6 (NIV) sums up the issue nicely: “I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.” In other words, Babylon empowered herself with the suffering of innocent people.


Injustice Adjacent God hates this—but haven’t we always known it? Scripture consistently reveals God’s hatred of the oppression of innocent and vulnerable people. It violates divine order, the very essence and character of God, and the divine covenant of love. God self- identifies as the defender of the widow, the orphan, and the stranger (Deut. 10:18) and explicitly condemns those who exploit the poor and oppressed (Isa. 10:1-2). Te prophets declared that worship is meaningless when paired with injustice (Amos 5:21- 24; Micah 6:8), calling instead for justice to “roll down like waters” (Amos 5:24, ESV). God’s law forbids oppression and warns that God hears the cries of the afflicted and will act against their oppressors (Exod. 22:21-24; Prov. 22:22-23).


30 AD VENTIS T T OD A Y


We see the culmination of this framework in Christ, who


proclaims good news to the poor, freedom for the oppressed, and judgment against those who abuse power (Luke 4:18; Matthew 23), revealing that God’s kingdom stands decisively against injustice in every form. So, why on Earth do the nations conspire such vain things? Don’t they know that God is watching? I’ve spent considerable time reflecting on how many can be


adjacent to injustice and say nothing. Te Bible teaches that God holds accountable not only those who commit oppression but also those who enable it, warning that He will judge those who “devise injustice” and those who “approve of those who practice it” (Isa. 10:1-3; Rom. 1:32). Notice that the same judgment awaits those who make unjust


laws, those who enforce them, and those who benefit from them. Tis is an evil alliance. Scripture also affirms that those who remain silent or benefit from wrongdoing share in its guilt, for God promises to “repay all according to their deeds” (Prov. 24:12, NRSV) and bring judgment on those who side with injustice rather than defend the oppressed (Ezek. 9:9-10; Prov. 24:11-12).


Faith Alone Isn’t Enough I am mindful that many who gather in Adventist churches and sing sacred hymns are counted among these injustice-adjacent ones. I have met quite a few Adventists who actually agree with and condone what, to me, looks like textbook oppression, exploitation, and injustice. Tey should know that God sees them, too. We have seen a proliferation of nefarious activity in our


world recently. In fairness, we have always seen it; yet, it seems to be getting worse and meeting fewer constraints. Te nations continue to rage; the people plot sinister schemes (Psa. 2:1). Tey’re rising up with the intention that they will “throw off their shackles” and amass limitless power. But God is laughing. Tere is only one Sovereign of the universe. He was appointed by the divine council of heaven, and his throne was secured on Calvary. I remember learning a song as a child that seems to ring


powerfully at this moment: “He sees all I do, He hears all I say. My God is watching all the time, time, time, time.” I sincerely feel that adults taught us songs like this to scare us,


and it worked. Yet, because of the atonement of Christ, I’m no longer afraid. But I know some people who really should be.


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