The Bowl Judgments (Part 1)

The Bowl Judgments (Part 1)

Revelation, Part 25, Revelation 16:1-11

Introduction

- Last week we saw a pause, angel’s assignments, and worship in heaven

- Today we begin to examine the destruction of this Earth

-- This is done by a just a righteous God to an Earth who won’t repent

- It is important that we understand where John is taking us

-- These are prophetic images of what will take place in the future

- 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 hears the voice of the Lord (that is, God) giving specific orders

-- Remember: These angels are already prepared for this task

- Because these angels are unemotional in this task … have on mission:

-- To be obedient to God

-- This obedience ought to be the same obedience that we demonstrate

-- Should reflect our response when God gives us something to do

- Read Revelation 16:1-11

Ω Point 1 - First Bowl (v2)

- God’s wrath is upon those who choose to reject the warning in Chapter 14

-- Something very important: This is NOT to produce repentance

-- APP: It is to bring suffering to those on this Earth

- Remember, that once you take the Mark, there is no turning back

-- 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 sore is an oozing wound tormenting those who choose Satan’s ways

Ω Point 2 - Second Bowl (v3)

- Because of the judgment the sea became blood

-- Water is a key to life: God’s wrath is poured out on all humanity

-- 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

-- APP: It is a metaphor we can recognize: man is dead inside

-- IMP: What brings life? JESUS! John 6:35, John 17:3, Romans 6:23

-- This is a judgment of wrath not one to turn men toward repentance

-- It is (again) to punish those who are at war with God

Ω Point 3 - Third Bowl (v4-7)

- In this judgment the rivers and springs become blood

- Like the first plague on Egypt: third trumpet judgment causes blood

-- Whether this is real blood 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 rebellion

- God assigns angels to have specific jobs of protection on the Earth

-- They guard and protect from demonic activity or interference

-- This angel gives his approval to the judgments on fresh water

- IMP: The trumpet judgments were designed to turn man toward God

-- It is to allow humanity to see their dependence on God

-- These judgments serve to turn man AWAY from God

- Those on the earth now are mostly those who worshipped the Beast

-- They are servants of his and have taken/received the mark

- The believers, except for those in hiding, are mostly in heaven now

-- They have been killed by those God is about to pour out his wrath on

Ω Point 4 - Fourth Bowl (v8-9)

- The sun, the source of light and warmth, is magnified

-- Gives man a taste of the coming heat in the lake of fire

- The heat from the Sun brings out true nature of those who worship Satan

-- There is no remorse or contrition in the face of the heat from the Sun.

- APP: Mankind’s reaction will be the same in hell

-- With this judgment and the one to come his heart will not soften

-- For this reason we are twice told in this chapter men did not repent

- Without the supply of the ocean waters and drinking water

-- Situation for the earth’s inhabitants begins to look very bleak

-- Now, they have the scorching heat from the sun