SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 16
BIBLE VERSES:
“Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” (Revelation 16:5-7)
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)
THE SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD’S WRATH (vs. 1-21)
1st Angel – on land. Ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who worship the Beast;s and had his mark. \
2nd Angel – on sea. It turned into blood and every living thing in the sea died.
3rd Angel – on rivers and springs of water. They became blood with voices of the angel praising God and responses form the altar declaring God’s justice.
4th Angel – on the sun. There was intense heat like fire. People cursed the name of God and they still refuse to repent and glorify him.
5th Angel – on the throne of the beast. His kingdom was plunged into darkness. People were in agony because of their sores and pains but they refuse to repent of what they have done.,
6th Angel – on the great river Euphrates. It was dried up. Evil spirits looked like frogs came out of the mouth of the dragon, the beasts and the false prophets. They perfume miraculous signs and gather the kings of the whole world for the battle of Armageddon.
7th Angel – into the air. A loud voice from the throne of the temple says: “It is done”. The, there came lightings, rubllings, thunder and tremendous earthquake. The euake split the city into 3 parts and the cities of the nations collapsed. Babylon was filled with the voice of the fury of god’s wrath. Every island fled away and mountain disappear. Hundred pounds of hail stones fell upon men.
THOUGHTS:
Since God is holy, He has to uphold holiness by giving judgment to the sinners. But God’s judgment does not change men’s heart. Instead, their hearts were hardened like Pharaoh in the days of Moses. Therefore, we must watch and walk carefully. Judgment is sure to come. But if we obey His Word and hold on to the promise of God, we shall meet him with joy one day.
Armageddon is the “the hill of Megiddo” in Hebrew which means “place of slaughter”. It is one of the greatest battle where Anti-Chirst will be the leader to gather the world armies and fight against Jesus Christ.
SIMILARITIES OF UPCOMING JUDGMENT WITH THAT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TIMES.
- Sores – It is the 6th plague of Egypt when boils broke out on the Egyptians.
- Water to Blood – It is the first plague of Egypt. Since the people of the earth have shed blood, so they have to drink blood. The law of cause and consequence is operating trhought he Bible. Pharaoh drowned Hebrew boys, so, his army was drowned in Red Sea. Haman built a gallow to hang Mordecai, so he and his sons were hanged instead. The souls under the altar are vindicated because God had answered their prayers.
- Darkness – It is the 9th plague of Egypt. It is the foretaste of hell because Satan is the prince of darkness.
- Gathering of the kings of the world for battle – God dried up the Red Sea to deliver Israel from Egypt. In the future, God will also dry up part of the Euphrates River to allow the armies of the king of the east (Russia and Egypt) to meet with the armies of the nations of the world (the Beast) at Armageddon. The armies will attack Jerusalem and the signs of the Son of Man will appear. The armies will unite to fight against Christ. That is a battle between Christ and the Anti-Christ.