The Bowl Judgments (Part 2)
Revelation Part 26, Revelation 16:12-21
INTRODUCTION
- Mark a place at Joel 3 also …
- Last week, we discussed the first five bowl judgments
- God was now carrying out judgment not to bring repentance
-- To show the Earth his wrath during this time and,
-- To punish those who turned away (breaking 1st three commandments)
- Each person on the Earth cursed God, and would not repent
- This week, we conclude Chapter 16 with the last judgments
-- Also see a hint of the final battle that will come upon this Earth
- Read Revelation 16:12-21
Ω 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 an important role
-- 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
-- Is pivotal in understanding that God meant this to bring about repentance
-- APP: Now we see His judgment only
- The kings from the East are mounting up to join the Beast in his quest to win
-- I firmly think they are coming to join the Beast
-- The entire world has now placed its trust and allegiance in the Beast
-- Only through him we will they be victorious over God and the judgments
- John is viewing the three unclean spirits as frogs
-- 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, mouth of the beast, mouth of the false prophet
--- Ref: Exodus 8:1-6
- They use miracles and signs of wonder to deceive the Earth
-- We have already discussed how easily we are swayed into believing
- Jesus gives the Earth a warning though that is so clear we might miss it:
-- APP: He reminds us (v15) that He will come when we least expect it
-- We MUST be prepared for His return!
- Jesus even speaks on one of our greatest fears: be caught naked 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
-- This battle is referred to as Armageddon
- The Greek is a transliteration of the Hebrew har Megiddo
-- Literally, this means the “mountain of Megiddo”
-Megiddo is first mentioned in Joshua as one the cities conquered by Joshua
-- Later Megiddo became a chariot fortress city for Solomon
-- There also, the righteous king Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Necho
-- 2 Kings 23:29, “While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Necho faced him and killed him at Megiddo.”
- Let’s remember:
-- 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
Ω Point 2 - Seventh Bowl – Great Hail Stones (v17-21)
- Once the final wrath is completed Jesus returns with His armies
-- This is 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!” (v17)
- The armies of the Lord are now headed to battle
-- B/C of this, the Earth shakes at the force of the conflict
-- IMP: 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 … (IMP APP) 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 fell on mankind and destroyed everything that was in their path
-- Babylon was torn in three parts and fell
-- Even God remembered what Babylon had stood for
-- Remember, it is 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
-- Men STILL decide to curse God rather than repent
- Why does this happen?
-- 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 the event the “Valley of decision” … because people have made the choice to go to war against their creator. They feel they are assembling for war, but actually they assembling for judgment.”
- Read Joel 3:1-2
- Read Joel 3:9-21
- In this we read about the kingdom of Messiah
-- This kingdom follows this end time battle
-- New wine flows from the mountains and the hills flow with milk
- Bottom line: Jerusalem shall be holy and blessed
-- Clear indication of the Messianic age to follow, where Jesus rules forever
Ω Big Ideas
- 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
-- Without Jesus Christ, 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?
- APP: Would you pray with me that God would reveal to you where you could be used?
- Pray
