The Grand Finale of God’s Word
Chapters 15-16
Lesson Seven
Evil is Rewarded in Holy Wrath
Fast and furious! These words describe the seven bowls of wrath well. Once they begin, no one can interfere or enter the presence of God in the temple. There is no coming to the mercy seat, no offering of any sacrifice for forgiveness, and no repentance. It is too late. Those who endure these punishments curse God for the pain. Those who follow the Lamb were harvested from the earth in chapter 14:14-16, those that are left on earth are followers of the beast. They are all punished and we will see that none repent.
This is an interesting picture in Revelation. Those who have been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name are standing together celebrating and singing in the presence of God. Then, when the saints are there together before the temple of God, the bowls of wrath are poured out on the earth, that is, on those who follow the beast. This initiates a great day of battle and the fall of Babylon (which seems to represent a cosmic spiritual center of evil power in chapter 17 and 18, and has been interpreted to be Jerusalem, Rome, or some other political power). The center of Satanic control begins to crumble as his brief period of power comes to an end. But the enemy will not give up without a last burst of struggle that ends in his being thrown into the lake of fire forever.
One of the clear messages in the book of Revelation is that there are only two sides. One is either with the Lamb and his followers, or the Dragon, (or beast), and his followers. These two are mortal enemies with no peace possible between them. The battle between them takes place on the earth and what are at stake are the souls of men. The Lamb and his followers will ultimately rule everything, everywhere, and the Dragon and his followers will ultimately be defeated and destroyed forever. This is what Revelation tells us. Now, this is either true or false. To the degree that we believe in the words of this book and Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, to that degree we will stand with the Lamb and be rewarded with eternal life and spared from the wrath of God against his enemies. The wrath described here involves going to war. This is a war in which you and I must fight. We are on either one side or the other. Let us stand with the Lamb!
Day 1
Read chapter 14 and 15.
Both of these chapters begin with a scene that helps us understand what follows.
Those who have the name of the Lamb and His Father written on their foreheads, where are they and what are they doing? (14:1-5)
Those who have been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, where are they and what are they doing? (15:2-4)
Now go back and read chapter 7. Those in white robes with palm branches in their hands, where are they and what are they doing?
Who are they? (7:13-17)
Dear student, God is telling us something here about our future. He wants us to know that we will be in glory some day with all the heavenly hosts and all who walk faithfully with the Lamb. All of the wrath of God is poured out on those who are not among the faithful followers of the Lamb. God has your name! He’s written it down. God wants you to overcome the beast, his name and his number. Do you need help? Are you winning the battle against the beast? Call on the Lamb! Why not stop right now and write a prayer to the One who knows you best and loves you the most. Tell him how the battle is going and let him supply your need.
Day 2
Read chapter 15 again.
The word for sign here in verse 1 is saymeion, a sign:-- distinguishing mark(1), miracle(m)(2), sign(35), signs(39). This word occurs seven times, (are you surprised?), in the book of Revelation. Those places are: 12:1,3; 13:13,14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20.
Seven signs follow the seven trumpets and include the seven bowls of wrath. Not that knowing this helps understand the details, but it reminds us that this book is filled with symbolism even in the patterns of its structure. This is verbal art.
Another word that is very important in Revelation is translated “I saw.” This word occurs 62 times in this book. John is telling us over and over and over what he “saw.” The images are described and sometimes they are explained, but often we are left to discover the meaning as best we can.
What did John see here in verses 1 and 2?
How many angels?
How many plagues?
What do the plagues complete or finish?
The sea of glass is mixed with fire. What is it and what was the sea for?
Read 1 Kings 7:24-26. What is this sea?
Read 2 Kings 25:13-16 What happens to this sea and where is it taken?
To understand the meaning of the sea in heaven, and this sea in the temple, we need to go back to the building of the temple in the wilderness. There we begin to discover the purpose and meaning of the Sea of glass which is in the presence of God in Revelation.
Read Exodus 30:18-21.
Here we read of a bronze laver or basin. This was ultimately replaced by the bronze Sea by Solomon in 1 Kings 7. But notice in Exodus 30, where the basin was and what was its purpose. Here we learn that the sea is not a natural large body of water, but a large bowl that holds water. Also, we learn that this water had a spiritual purpose for the priests. What was that purpose?
What would happen if they did not wash before entering the temple of God?
Why does God require his servants to be clean? What do you think this cleanness symbolizes beyond the washing of dirt from the body?
Read 1 Peter 3:21. What sort of washing is going on here and what does it mean?
(As and interesting aside: Notice where the bronze to make this basin or laver came from: Exodus 38:8. What were these women doing? What work did women have in the worship at the temple in the Old Testament? )
Read Exodus 40:30-35. Notice that when they did what the Lord commanded, his glory filled the temple and no one could enter. Much like what we see here in Rev. 15.
The sea of glass described by Revelation reminds us of heavenly cleansing. But instead of water, what is mixed here? (Rev. 15:2)
These two elements, water and fire, have always been used by God’s people for cleansing rites. Numbers 31:23. John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of water and of fire. See Matt. 3:8-12.
Read 1 Cor. 3:10-15
What does this passage say about fire?
What happens to the person who builds poorly?
Read 1 Peter 1:3-7
What does this say about fire?
When we see the saints who have overcome the enemy of God in Revelation 15 they are standing on the sea of glass that is mixed with fire. Could it be that they have been cleansed with the water and fire of God’s cleansing?
How does overcoming the beast and his name and the number of the beast affect these? What are they doing now?
Dear student, there is nothing but joy and glory for those who face the enemy and stand the test. Let us encourage one another constantly as we have opportunity and remain faithful to the Lamb!
Day 3
Read chapter 16:1-11
List what happens when each of the first five bowls of wrath are poured out:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
On whom are these bowls poured out?
Notice the specific targets and the reaction to the wrath of God in each case.
The earth and the sea and waters are all ruined. And as the waters are turned to blood the angel of the water responds. What is this angel’s response?
God’s wrath is perfectly just and holy. Notice the perfect control and dignity with which each punishment is poured out. This is not a lashing out or vengeful response. God is not glad to see the suffering of these people. There is no sense of enjoyment in heaven at these punishments. While there may be celebration in places that justice is served, there is little here to indicate that the heart of God has anything but desire that their end were otherwise. God remains in the temple, unapproachable, until the final bowl of wrath is poured out. What do you learn from this about God?
When the fourth and fifth angels pour out their bowls of wrath notice the contrast.
First the sun burns and scorches, then the kingdom of the beast becomes darkened.
What is the response of men to these fourth and fifth bowls of wrath?
Why, do you suppose, is there no repentance?
The words, “did not repent” occur four times in Revelation. (9:20,21; 16:9,11). In these places God is punishing the wicked for their sins. Its effect is that they lash out at God and refuse to turn from their evil ways. The purpose of punishment here is not just to give payment for wrongs done, but to cause a change of heart in the perpetrator of the wrong. There finally comes a punishment that has no end. It is not for the purpose of restoration but for quarantine and destruction. The final punishment is to be shut out from the presence of God and heaven and cast into the lake of eternal torment. From there comes no repentance or cleansing. It is a fire of God that consumes. Hebrews 6:7-8; 10:26-27; 12:29.
Rejoice and be glad in the hope of Christ. Repentance is a gift from God to us! He will not always hold out the opportunity of repentance. There comes a time when all who refuse to repent will not be able to do so. Thank God for allowing our hearts to be open to His grace! Is there something in your heart or life that you need to repent of right now? Dear student, don’t wait another minute. Turn in humble thanks to heaven’s gift of forgiveness and grace and confess whatever sins may stand between you and the Lamb. Give him your whole heart and life!
Day 4
Read chapter 16:12-21.
What happens in verse 12, when the sixth bowl of wrath is poured out?
Historically, when Persia defeated Babylon, they rerouted the river and entered the city. This may be an illusion to the removal of the final obstacle of its fall. The kings of the east may refer to the Parthian hordes, who were terrifying even to Rome during the time of John’s writing this.
Notice the response of the dragon, beast and false prophet. What comes out of their mouths?
What can they do?
Where do they go?
To whom do they go?
What are they all gathered for?
Look carefully at verse 15. What do these words mean?
This appears to be an interjection from the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. The message is obviously to the followers of the Lamb. What warnings and encouragements are in this message?
Then verse 16 resumes the work of the frog demons. Where do they all gather?
Have you heard of this place before? What does it mean to you?
Hal Lindsey made popular many ideas about Armageddon. What information does the Bible give us about this place? Get out your concordance and look up all the references to Armageddon.
What did you find?
Where did all the information come from that has built such a huge idea about what will happen at this place?
Let’s let the Bible teach us what God wants us to know here. Reread just verses 12-16 about the sixth bowl of wrath.
Taking only what the Bible says, what do you learn from these verses about what the dragon and his cohorts do? What are they gathering the kings of the world together for?
How can this be considered a bowl of God’s wrath?
What do you suppose will happen to all these kings when they come to fight against God? (Read chapter 19:11-21 and 20:7-10).
Now reread chapter 16:17-21 and notice the things God’s Word says about the final bowl of wrath.
Upon what does the angel pour out the bowl?
Satan is called the prince of the power of the air. Ephesians 2:2.
List the things that happened when the bowl was poured out:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
And so on…..
What was the reaction of men?
This introduces us to the next two chapters which talk about the fall of Babylon. We will study those in the next lesson, but just for your information, this last bowl of wrath seems to carry over into the next three chapters.
Dear Student, the enemy doesn’t give up easily, does he. Sadly, those whom he has deceived do not repent either. Evil is so stubborn that all the wrath of God against it seems to do nothing to make it better. Ultimately, all evil must be destroyed in the lake of fire. Look carefully at the evil in this world. Know that all of it will taste the wrath of God. Flee from evil, dear student of God’s Word! Do not make peace with it. Do not let it have any place in your heart or mind. Do not participate in any evil by either word or deed. Satan’s deception is that we may hold onto some evil and be safe. This is a lie! See the truth and strive for God’s purity and holiness in all or your life. Do not settle for less than complete victory over sin and evil.
Day 5
Read chapter 15-16 again.
This time go through and note every reference to a spiritual being. Mark the good ones with blue and the evil ones with red.
15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.
2 And I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had come off victorious from the beast and from his image and from the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.
3 And they sang^ the song of Moses the bond-servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations.
4 "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE THEE, For Thy righteous acts have been revealed."
5 After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened,
6 and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their breasts with golden girdles.
7 And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
16:1 And I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth."
2 And the first angel went and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
3 And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.
4 And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, "Righteous art Thou, who art and who wast, O Holy One, because Thou didst judge these things;
6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink. They deserve it."
7 And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments."
8 And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues; and they did not repent, so as to give Him glory.
10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain,
11 and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.
12 And the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east.
13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs;
14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
15 ("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame.")
16 And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air; and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, "It is done."
18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.
19 And the great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came^ down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was^ extremely severe.
Now go back and circle all the references to people whether alive or dead. Circle the ones who follow the Lamb in blue. Circle the others in Red.
Notice that there are only two sides.
List the names of some people that you know are not followers of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Remember when you see someone who is not a Christian, that one day there will be no repentance. They will face the wrath of God and will not be able to change. You have an eternal gospel to share with them now, while there is time. Will you do it? Take time right now to pray for God to help you share the Word of God with them.
