Revelation, Part 30
Revelation 16:1-11
Introduction
Last week – pause, assignments, worship in heaven
Tonight we begin to examine the destruction of this Earth by a just a righteous God who has simply had enough of the disobedience.
It is important that we understand where John is taking us – as is everything from Chapter 4 on, these are prophetic images of what will take place in the future, and they are without dispute.
Revelation 16:1 says, “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”
John is hearing the voice of the Lord (that is, God) giving very specific instructions to the angels who have already been prepared for the task.
Because these angels are unemotional in this task, I have to believe that they have one mission, and that is to be obedient to God. This obedience ought to be the same obedience that we demonstrate, especially when God gives us something to do.
And so, the angels go about their task.
Pray
First Bowl
Loathsome sores
Revelation 16:2 says, “So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.”
The first example of God’s wrath falls upon those who choose to reject the warning from the angels in chapter 14. Something very important to not here, is that this and the following wrath is NOT to produce repentance or turning away, but to bring suffering to those on this Earth.
Remember, that once you take the Mark, there is no turning back – and this is the just suffering of those who have disobeyed God.
Revelation 14:9-10 says, “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”
The loathsome sore is an oozing wound tormenting the individuals who choose to worship the Beast.
Second Bowl
Sea became blood
Revelation 16;3 says, “Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.”
On the sea - Here the meaning is probably oceans; God’s wrath is poured out on all humanity.
In contrast to the second trumpet judgment (Rev. 8:8) where 1/3 of the sea became blood and 1/3 of the creatures died, here all the sea becomes blood and all the creatures died.
Both sea water and blood have the same content of salt. The sea becoming blood reflects the condition of mankind, like a dead man. This is a judgment of wrath not one to turn men toward repentance, but to punish those who are at war with God. God, the source of life, the source of blessing both on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45) withdraws life from the sea.
Third Bowl
Rivers and springs become blood
Revelation 16:4-7 says, “Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying:
“You are righteous, O Lord,
The One who is and who was and who is to be,
Because You have judged these things.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them blood to drink.
For it is their just due.”
And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
Like the first plague on Egypt, and the third trumpet judgment the source of fresh water for much of the earth became blood. Whether this is blood like in color and texture or actual blood is unknown until that day. The point God is making with man is not mercy but judgment. God is repaying the inhabitants of the earth, for their treatment of His people who are now in Heaven.
Interestingly enough, there are angels who each have assigned jobs to protect portions of this Earth as well. An angel is in charge of water, to guard and protect it from demonic activity or interference.
The angel gives his approval to the judgments on fresh water, a necessity for life.
The persecution and murder of the saints is the purpose of the wrath poured out on man. The trumpet judgments were designed to turn man toward God, to allow humanity to see their dependence on God.
The bowl judgments are designed to show the righteousness of God’s judgment.
Those who are on the earth at this point, are mostly those who worshipped the Beast, and received the mark.
The believers, except for those in hiding, and Israel hidden in Judean wilderness, are in heaven, killed by those who God is now about to pour out his wrath on.
With the death of many of the saints, God judges the world and causes them to suffer.
Fourth Bowl
Revelation 16:8-9 says, “Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.”
The sun, the source of light and warmth, is magnified and giving man a taste of the coming heat in the lake of fire, which those who have chosen Satan will receive.
The heat from the Sun brings out the true nature of those who worship the Beast and his image. There is no remorse or contrition in the face of the heat from the Sun.
Mankind’s reaction will be the same in eternal hell, with this judgment and the one to come his heart will not soften toward God. For this reason we are twice told in this chapter men did not repent.
Without the supply of the ocean waters and drinking water, the situation for the earth’s inhabitants begins to look very bleak. Now added to their dilemma, is the scorching heat from the sun. Out of this judgment, God demonstrates the character of those facing judgment.
Rather then seeking mercy, the earth inhabitants rebel further, verbally assaulting God in heaven. God demonstrates the hardness of man’s heart and his own righteousness with these judgments.
The heart of remaining humanity has no desire to repent; they see God as their enemy. They have staked their eternity on Satan, the antichrist and false prophet. Their only hope is for Satan to be victorious.
Fifth Bowl
Revelation 16:10-11 says, “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdoms became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.”
The rebuilt city of Babylon, the capital of antichrist’s kingdom is filled with darkness. Egypt faced a similar plague in the days of Moses. The fourth trumpet also brought darkness to 1/3 of the earth.
The purpose of the darkness over the kingdom of the Beast could be for several reasons:
- The darkness is a foretaste of the eternal darkness the dwellers of the earth will taste for all eternity.
Matthew 8:11-12 says, “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
- The darkness could allow any in hiding in the kingdom of the Antichrist to escape the coming destruction of “New Babylon” under the cover of darkness.
Jeremiah 51:6-7 says, “Flee from the midst of Babylon, And every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He shall recompense her. Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, That made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations are deranged.”
The people of this kingdom will not repent or seek forgiveness while they are still alive and on the earth. This judgment demonstrates the hardness of man’s heart.
They gnawed their tongues…The darkness along with oozing sores from the first bowl, lack of water, lack of food and scorching heat are taking their toll. The response of man is one of war not repentance. In agony, humanity gnaws at their tongues but they refuse to repent cry out for mercy.
Again, those on earth respond in blaspheming God. The righteousness of God’s wrath demonstrated by its recipients, for the second time humanity shakes their fist toward heaven, and blasphemes God’s name.
Notice how again mankind does not repent -- could the hearts be so hardened at this time that man simply hates God? Yes. How about tonight? How is your heart? Is it hardened and angry with the Lord?
Do you need to talk to Him about repentance?
A time is coming when we will no longer be able to go to Him for forgiveness -- please don’t let this time pass you by.
Pray
Research taken from Truthnet.org
