The Justice and Love of God

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

In Revelation 8 we see a precious golden bowl at the breaking of the seventh seal during the Great Tribulation. In this bowl are the prayers of the saints—your prayers, your petitions, your confessions, your praise of God, your cries for justice. An angel offers this bowl to God at the golden altar. Then the angel fills it with fire from the altar and hurls it down upon the earth—and judgment is released.

Read Revelation 20:11-15. In this passage of Scripture, John describes how God is going to judge the world. We will all give an account on the day of judgment (see Matthew 12:36), and each of us will fall into one group or the other: those whose names are written in the book of life—and those whose names are not. You may ask, “How can I be sure my name is written in the book of life?” Jesus said, “Only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” The will of the Father is that we commit our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. Confess to Him that you are a sinner, repent of your sins, and receive Jesus, once and for all, as your Lord and Savior. Ask Him to write your name in His book. Then live every day for Him.

Through thousands of years of human sin and rebellion, God has been patient. He has withheld His judgment and wrath, in spite of being blasphemed and rejected by the wicked human race. God’s people have been persecuted and killed by the ungodly—and through it all, God has been patient. In fact, He has been so patient that His followers have often asked, “Lord, where are You? How much longer will You wait?”

Let no one assume that He will tolerate sin and rebellion forever. A day is coming when God’s patience will come to an end. A day will come when Satan will see his final defeat. So let us hold fast to the light of Christ as the world plunges into moral and spiritual darkness, remembering His love for us and His promises: “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).

Prayer: God, thank You for Your justice and Your love. I pray for those who do not yet know You. May You give them ears to hear Your Truth and lead me as I share Your Gospel with the lost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

*Devotional adapted from End Times and the Secret of the Mahdi by Michael Youssef © 2016. Published by Worthy Books, Franklin, TN. Used by permission.

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Revelation for Today, Part 12: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
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