Revelation, Part 31
Revelation 16:12-21
Introduction
Last week, we discussed the first five bowl judgments
Remember that God was now carrying out his judgment not to bring repentance, but to show the Earth his wrath during this time and to punish those who turned away from him (breaking the 1st three commandments).
Each person on the Earth cursed God, and would not repent or give God glory.
This week, we continue and conclude Chapter 16 with the last judgments and the hint of the final battle that will come upon this Earth.
Read Revelation 16:12-20
Pray
Point 1 – Six Bowl - Euphrates River dries up (v12-16)
The Earth is preparing for a final battle in the land of Israel.
This is the second time that we see the Euphrates play such an important role in end times as the first was in Chapter 9 when 200 million demonic angels are led from the base of the river and unleashed onto this world. This brings about the death of 1/3 of mankind and is pivotal in understanding that God meant this to bring about repentance – now we see His judgment only.
The kings from the East are mounting up to either come against the Beast for the darkness brought on the Earth or they are coming to join the Beast in his quest to win the war over God.
I firmly think they are coming to join the Beast, since the entire world has now placed its trust and allegiance in the Beast, and only through him we will they be victorious over God and the judgments on the Earth.
John is viewing the three unclean spirits as frogs and they are the ones who form the un-holy trinity during the end times. He is writing as he understands the vision, but they represent:
- The mouth of the dragon
- The mouth of the beast
- The mouth of the false prophet
They use miracles and signs of wonder to deceive the Earth, and we have already discussed how easily we (as a people) are swayed into believing things that are not true – just take for example David Copperfield or any other magician.
Do people not flock to see them perform their tricks? Think along the same lines of logic on a global scale and you can see how easily people would be deceived.
Jesus gives the Earth a warning though that is so clear we might miss it: He reminds us (verse 15) that He will come when we least expect it, and we MUST be prepared for His return.
Jesus even speaks on one of our greatest fears – is to be caught naked somewhere in public. He speaks to the very heart of who we are (we would not like to appear naked in the streets), and thus we should be prepared for Him to return at any moment.
- Matthew 24:43, “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.”
- 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
- Revelation 3:3, “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”
To those not watching, their nakedness and shame will be exposed. This warning applies the pre-tribulation and tribulation saints. But the blessing of being clothed is offered to those watching.
Satan is gathering together all who would live sinful lives, all those who rebel against God, for a final show down which is called Armageddon.
The Greek is a transliteration of the Hebrew har Megiddo, literally, “mountain of Megiddo.”
Megiddo is first mentioned in Joshua as one the cities conquered by Joshua (Josh 12:21). Later Megiddo became a chariot fortress city for Solomon. There also, the righteous king Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Necho 2 kings 23:29 who had come to aid the Assyrians against Babylon.
At the plain before the armies of the world will gather. What will be the reason for their gathering? How this fits into God’s end-time plan is subject to speculation.
The armies of the Antichrist defeated Israel at the middle of the tribulation. He then installed the Abomination of Desolation on the Third Temple. A portion of Israel flees into the wilderness to escape. According to Zechariah, 1/3 of Israel survives the tribulation and enters the Millennium.
Point 2 - Seventh Bowl – Great Hail Stones (v17-21)
Once the final wrath is completed Jesus returns with His armies (the saints in Heaven – this is you and I) to fight against Satan.
The voice John is hearing is from God Himself – “It is done!”
The armies of the Lord are now headed to battle and the Earth shakes at the force of the conflict! An earthquake un-equaled in the history of mankind destroys all the cities of the earth, including rebuilt Babylon.
Thought to ponder: Those in Heaven WILL BE coming back to battle with the Lord … coming back riding alongside Paul, Silas, John, Matthew, Luke, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David … why not get some practice NOW fighting in the battle?
Think on that for a few minutes … Could you use a little extra practice in the battle today?
As the armies gather, and people run for the lives, stones the size of 135 pounds (or 1 talent) fell on mankind and destroyed everything that was in their path. Babylon was torn in three parts and fell, and even God remembered what Babylon had stood for (Satan’s financial capital of the world).
Even at this point with these horrendous judgments on mankind, the oozing sores, death in the oceans and fresh water, the scorching heat, the unbearable pain in darkness and an earthquake unlike any ever in the history of the world, men decide to curse God rather then repent.
Here again God is demonstrating the righteousness of his Judgment against hardness of man.
I will close with this and this is a direct quote taken from TruthNet.org which really brings to life the prophecy of this time.
The book of Joel, chapter 3 pictures this end time gathering of the nations against Israel in the land of Israel. Joel calls, event the “Valley of decision” (Joel 3;14) because people have made the choice to go to war against their creator. They feel they are assembling for war (Vs. 9), but actually they assembling for judgment(Vs. 12).
Read Joel 3:1-2
Read Joel 3:9-21
In verse 18, we read about the kingdom of Messiah, which follows this end time battle.
New wine flows from the mountains and the hills flow with milk.
Jerusalem shall be holy and blessed, a clear indication of the Messianic age to follow, the battle of the nations assembled in the valley of Jehoshaphat, is a reference to the event known as Armageddon.
Conclusion
When the nations of the earth assemble against Israel and are defeated by Jesus Christ, Israel’s Messiah, at his second coming - where will you be?
This is the promise that we believe in and that we hold onto … but, without Jesus Christ today, these terrible times may be something that we have to go through.
If you could use a little help in the battle today, would you say Amen?
Would you pray with me that God would reveal to you where you could be used?
Pray
Research taken from Truthnet.org
