I read somewhere once a phrase that rings true in my experience—beware the wrath of a patient man.

Patient people maintain composure in difficult circumstances. They bear with others who make foolish mistakes and ignore sound instructions. Long-suffering, the patient among us absorb personal slights and even insults, hoping to develop maturity in those they encounter.

But every person breaks at some point, the patient often with spectacular results.

In Revelation, John wrote of an impending time of judgment. These days will involve the death of a quarter of the earth’s population by sword, famine, plague and even wild beasts. The cause of this holy terror?

The Lamb of God.

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

Having strolled through a few petting zoos, it’s hard to picture a wrathful lamb. But He’s coming. When Jesus arrived the first time, many were confused. But Jesus will arrive the second time with absolute clarity. We will either fall in worship, or flee for the hills.

Indeed, beware the wrath of a patient man. But even more so, beware the wrath of a patient Savior.

Revelation 6 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Rod Long