We live in an imperfect world. But we must believe, if God was wise to set into motion what the world has become, that this imperfect world is the best way to a better world, the best world of all. Offences must happen in this world, said Jesus. And no doubt when he said this the offence of his own crucifixion was not out of his view, the greatest offence that must take place, and ordained by God as the Bridge to allow all to pass who would enter into this better world. What’s remarkable about Jesus’ statement on the necessity of offences is that they pertain even to little ones being offended, be they disciples or actual children. “It is impossible,” said Jesus, “but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones” (Luke 17.1, 2.) Only God can entirely understand why horrors like molestation and persecution must take place. But then, woe unto him, through whom they come! Jesus himself will punish those through whom these offences come. This prophetic certainty can be a mighty preventive against the victim being catapulted into a depression leading to suicide, if only someone would tell him about it before it’s too late! It is a fact needing to be thundered from judgment seats and pulpits everywhere! It would surely prevent many suicides and be a departure point from which to reverse the depression caused by the offence. The promise of Jesus is rendered all the more weighty and menacing if the offender be guilty of causing to his victim, not only an offence, but an unmentionable one, and not only that, but a suicide resulting from the offence, and then an immediate, permanent stay in hell because of that self-murder. What fierce punishment in hell will that person endure who is guilty of prompting another soul to suffer the same destiny?! Is the greater penalty the offender will receive an incentive for the victim to commit suicide? Hardly, for who wants to go to hell?
Informing victims of molestation that the Lord of the universe will yet take matters of judgment into his own hands, this is not liable to promote a spirit of vengeance. On the contrary, this knowledge tends to create peace of heart because the spirit of vengeance is turned over to God. Hurt ones must let the saying of God, then, sink down into their ears, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Romans 12.19.) God does not pledge in vain! Lingering injustice that seems will go on indefinitely, this is what tends to cause bitterness and self-destruction.
Now, can it be wrong to comfort hurt souls with what Jesus and the Father promise? Jesus promises to crush the offenders! The Father promises to take vengeance! The Holy Spirit is a fire hotter than hell itself! Christendom has lately so misinterpreted the command to be inoffensive that it has become ashamed of some of the most precious promises that are just now most needing to be spoken into the ears of the most needy! Let’s not be afraid nor embarrassed of God’s own promise, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY.’ And let’s find our own selves under the cloak of Jesus’ blood, by faith, by trust, by confidence, in order that the almighty vengeance of God may pass over us without consequence. Look to Jesus and be forgiven of all your offences. This Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified God did raise from the dead, the Bible says. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4.12.) Forget about suicide; don’t leap into hell but into Jesus’ arms instead.
