Famous Last Words On Judgment Series

HoHum:

I remember studying Jonathan Edwards sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, in literature class. “The wrath of God is like great waters that are shut up for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more rapid and mighty is its course, when once it is let loose. ..You are every day treasuring up more wrath; the waters are constantly rising, and waxing more and more mighty… If God should only withdraw his hand from the flood-gate, it would immediately fly open, and the fiery floods of the fierceness and wrath of God, would rush forth with inconceivable fury, and would come upon you with omnipotent power.” Yes, Edwards goes off the rails in places but this sermon was used to start the Great Awakening here in America. We seldom here such things today. I remember at my Bible college the seniors were to preach a sermon during the chapel time. The theme was Jehovah and then had a description of God. There was Jehovah Jirah- the Lord who provides. There was Jehovah Rapha- the Lord who heals. There is Jehovah Shalom- the Lord is peace. I was not there for the meeting where these topics were assigned. I was told that I had Jehovah Nakah- the Lord who strikes. This comes from Ezekiel 7:9: “I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that it is I the LORD who strikes you.” Oh, thanks! What did I talk about, well I talked about God’s wrath, I talked about God’s judgment, and yes, I talked about hell. Was it well received? Definitely the most memorable because so out of character! Beating Gumby probably the most remembered part. We avoid these themes like a plague, Why? Last week talked about God being our Father. So many come from abusive homes so they need a whole new concept for the word “Father.” Not a bad reason. But in avoiding the truth of God’s wrath, have we lost something?

WBTU:

If the book of Revelation has taught us anything thus far, it is this: God’s wrath is holy and terrible, full of fury, just, fair and completely unstoppable. And that’s a good thing: we need a God of wrath. This may sound strange until we watch the nightly news. We hear of atrocities perpetrated around this globe, and we shake our heads in shock and disgust. In Revelation 6:10 we find those who are slain for the name of Jesus praying, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” There is coming a judgment day my friends when God will make everything right. Malachi says it will be a great and dreadful day; great for those who are written in the Lamb’s book of Life- enter into my joy. Dreadful for those who have not responded to the gospel- suffering God’s wrath eternally.

We come to Revelation 15 and 16- final series of 7. 3rd series of 7 told in Revelation. The 1st series of 7- seals being opened tells of purifying the saints. 2nd series of 7 is of the trumpets and this is calling sinners to repentance. 3rd series of 7- bowls that unleash the full and final punishment on a rebellious world. Read Revelation 15:1. In the seals, God set the dial on his wrath at 25%, affecting a fourth of the world, and in the trumpets, he turned the dial up to 33%. But with the seven bowls, his wrath is at 100%- all the world experiences his judgement.

Nancy Guthrie in her book on Revelation gives this:

Thesis: 4 things revealed in wrath of God from Rev. 15 & 16

For instances:

1. Pouring out his wrath is God’s glorious way of preparing a place for his people

Much of Revelation 15 and 16 goes back to the Exodus from Egypt. In Revelation 15:3-4 (Read it) we have the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Need to remember that the tabernacle or temple was the place where the presence of God dwelt. Significant that John sees these 7 bowls coming from that place. Read Revelation 15:5-16:1. Vs. 8 we have 7 angels carrying 7 golden bowls. Earlier we have “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people” (Revelation 5:8). What are these saints praying for? Justice. This is God’s response to the prayers of the saints.

2. Pouring out his wrath is God’s fair way of giving those who have rejected his mercy and persecuted his people what they rightly deserve