The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath (Day 28)

REVELATION

             Our world is in major trouble. Much of what John had seen in his vision is unfolding right before our eyes. The earth has refused to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There is just a remnant of people who are ready to meet Him in the sky. Despite the warnings that have been placed inside the Bible, there are those who choose to keep it hidden and ignore the alarms that are sounding all over the world. John was given this message of Revelation for the church to know what to expect in the last days and yet, so many choose to act as if this part of the Bible doesn’t exist.

            However, the time is coming when Christians will no longer be able to close their eyes to the truth and will have to make the ultimate decision. They will choose either to stand up for Christ, or take sides with the beast and lose out on Eternity. The decision has to be made by every living soul. Some have made it and lost their lives in the process only to have the right to gain it in eternity, while others have passed on without accepting Christ and made their choice to go to the Abyss. Those who are alive still have a chance to do what is right. Which side will you choose?

            John was shown the prostitute who sat upon the beast with multiple heads and horns. This was no ordinary woman, but one who was full of sin and caused others to drink of her cup. God gave this message for the woman to turn from her evil ways and repent. Unfortunately, the prophecy does let us know that many will not repent and will be lost as a result of their rebellion. The day of the Lord is now! God will one day return and when He does, will you be ready?

         

 

Quick Review from Lesson 8

 

a.)    The 144,000 sang a new song before the throne in Heaven.

b.)    The first angel’s message was to give God glory for the hour of judgment had come.

c.)    The second angel’s message proclaimed that Babylon the Great had fallen.

d.)   The third angel’s message warned of anyone receiving the mark of the beast would be tormented with burning sulfur.

e.)    Blessed and those who rest in God from their labor because their deeds will follow them.

f.)     The Son of Man was to take his sickle and reap for the harvest was ripe.

g.)    There will be a song that the saints of God will sing that even the angels cannot sing.

h.)    Out of the temple came seven angels with seven plagues.

i.)      No one was able to enter the temple until the completion of the plagues.

 

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

 

Revelation 16:1-2   ⁽¹⁾Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” ⁽²⁾The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (NIV)

 

        John was taken to another part of his vision where the seven angels were about to pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath upon the world. This will take place prior to Jesus’ return. There will be judgments that will be issued out upon the citizens of the world who have refused to acknowledge the God of Heaven and His son Jesus Christ. However, they do not realize that they will acknowledge Him at His coming. Romans 14:11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'" (NIV) John saw the first angel pour out his bowl upon the land and sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshipped him. God used a similar judgment with Pharaoh when he refused to let the Children of Israel go. Exodus 9:8-11 ⁽⁸⁾Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. ⁽⁹⁾It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on people and animals throughout the land.” ⁽¹⁰⁾So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on people and animals. ⁽¹¹⁾The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians. (NIV) God uses various methods to try to get people’s attention, but there is a time when mercy and grace will run out, resulting in judgment. Those who do not have the seal of God will be the ones to receive these bowls of wrath.

 

Revelation 16:3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. (NIV)

          John witnessed the second angel pouring out his bowl on the sea. It turned to blood and every living thing died in it. Jesus Christ came to shed His blood for our sins. However, many in the world have rejected Him. Therefore, those who have do not accept Him will suffer judgment due to their own choices. Once again, Pharaoh was given this same judgment as penalty for his rebellion. Exodus 7:14-18  ⁽¹⁴⁾Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s ⁽¹⁵⁾Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the river. Confront him on the bank of the Nile, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. ⁽¹⁶⁾Then say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened. ⁽¹⁷⁾This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am the Lord: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. ⁽¹⁸⁾The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.’ ” (NIV) This lets us know that one of the punishments that God gives to the wicked is to allow sea life to die because this is source of food and the sea is also used for various means of travel for the distribution of goods, resources and people. God’s judgments are never meant to be cruel, but to let the sinner know and understand the error of his ways. 

 

 Revelation 16:4-7 ⁽⁴⁾The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. ⁽⁵⁾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; ⁽⁶⁾for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” ⁽⁷⁾And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” (NIV)

 

          John saw yet another angel pour out his bowl on the rivers and other sources of water. They turned into blood. The angel then proclaimed the holiness and justice of God because the wicked were receiving due punishment for their sins of shedding the blood of the saints. God will punish all of those who killed His holy people. God will give them blood to drink because they shed the blood of others who were innocent and had done no wrong, but only wanted to serve Him. Proverbs 6:16-19 ⁽¹⁶⁾There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: ⁽¹⁷⁾haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, ⁽¹⁸⁾a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, ⁽¹⁹⁾a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. (NIV) God detests those who shed innocent blood. In the news, there are terrorists who are shedding the blood of others just because they are Christians. Their ability to kill without any mercy is barbaric to say the least. However, they will receive their due punishment in the end if they do not turn their hearts to God and repent of their wickedness. Not only will terrorists receive due judgment, but those who have been an accessory to abortion. Regardless of what the government says, abortion is murder. There have been millions of babies killed through abortion who would have possibly been pastors, doctors, prophets, teachers and more. Every life is precious and God values each one.

Revelation 16:8-9 ⁽⁸⁾The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. ⁽⁹⁾They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. (NIV)

 

          John witnessed the fourth angel pouring out his bowl on the sun which caused the people to be sunburned. They cursed God rather than have a repentant heart. God will allow the wicked to harden their hearts since they refuse to acknowledge Him. This is a dangerous situation when a person refuse to acknowledge God and give Him the glory that He deserves. Romans 1:28-32 ⁽²⁸⁾Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ⁽²⁹⁾They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ⁽³⁰⁾slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ⁽³¹⁾they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ⁽³²⁾Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (NIV) God will allow the wicked to swim in their self-made pool of deception when they refuse to accept the knowledge of truth.

 

Revelation 16:10-11 ⁽¹⁰⁾The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony ⁽¹¹⁾and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

 

 

           The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the beast’s throne and its kingdom was thrown into darkness. People cursed God because they had painful sores, but still refused to repent. The devil is the ruler of this world, so his throne is of this earth where his kingdom is evident. 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (NIV) It is amazing how the devil can have people minds so twisted that they would rather curse God than to humble themselves and repent of their wicked ways. Unfortunately, this will be the case when these seven bowls are poured out. The wicked will have an increasing hatred and dislike for God and will therefore, suffer the final judgment of being cast into the Abyss in the end.

 

 Revelation 16:12-16 ⁽¹²⁾The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. ⁽¹³⁾Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. ⁽¹⁴⁾They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. ⁽¹⁵⁾ “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.” ⁽¹⁶⁾Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (NIV)

 

John witnesses the sixth angel pouring out his bowl on the river Euphrates. The river dried up to make a path for the kings of the East. On June 11, 2014 an online news source, theTrumpet.com wrote an article about the Euphrates River drying up. The article is titled, “Turkey Dries Up the Euphrates.” Prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes and many are not aware of all the events that are actually taking place allowing us to know how quickly Jesus’ return is approaching. The drying up of this river will allow for the final battle to be fought during the end days in which we now live. This will create a pathway for the kings of the East to fight the final battle called the Armageddon. Joel 3:2 I will gather all nations

and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. (NIV)

 

            These kings are human kingdoms who will fight a vicious battle in the end, but God reigns supreme. John saw 3 demons that looked like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, beast and the false prophet. They performed many signs and wonders. They were able to rally the kings for battle. Why did these demons come out of their mouths? This lets us know that there will be lies that spill out from them and they will deceive many because they will appear to do great things. The devil is the master of deception and he will make the antichrist and the false prophet believe his lies. They will speak them with boldness and convince many that their deceptions are true. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 ⁽¹⁴⁾And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ⁽¹⁵⁾It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (NIV)

        Jesus said that He would come as a thief. He has warned us about this many times, so that those who are close to Him will not be caught off guard, but will be prepared for His coming and what’s to come upon the face of the earth. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 ⁽²⁾for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ⁽³⁾While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁽⁴⁾But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁽⁵⁾You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁽⁶⁾So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. (NIV) Jesus will one day return to take all His children home to be with Him forever. We do not know the exact day and time, but He told us to look at the signs for the hour is near.

 

 

Revelation 16:17-21  ⁽¹⁷⁾The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” ⁽¹⁸⁾Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. ⁽¹⁹⁾The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. ⁽²⁰⁾Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. ⁽²¹⁾From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. (NIV)

          The seventh bowl was poured out and John heard a voice out of the temple say, “It is finished!” Then nature responded through lightening, booms of thunder, a severe earthquake that was so bad it split Babylon the Great into three parts and all the cities collapsed. This is going to be a horrible judgment upon Babylon. This means total destruction that God is going to send down on her because of her wicked ways. The earthquake will be the greatest that has ever been seen on earth. God’s wrath upon Babylon will be very strong that the mountains and islands will no longer be in sight. Isaiah 13:6-13 ⁽⁶⁾Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. ⁽⁷⁾Because of this, all hands will go limp, every heart will melt with fear. ⁽⁸⁾Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. ⁽⁹⁾See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. ⁽¹⁰⁾The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. ⁽¹¹⁾I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. ⁽¹²⁾I will make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. ⁽¹³⁾Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger. (NIV) The prophet Isaiah wrote about the day of the Lord and what would happen prior to His return even during his time to warn and prepare those to be ready. This lines up with what John saw in his vision concerning the judgment upon the land and the rebellion of the wicked.

 

          Big balls of hail fell down upon the people weighing about a hundred pounds. Can you imagine having hail of this magnitude to fall on you? This indeed will be a horrible plague along with the fear that will come from the effects of a horrible earthquake. No one should want to anger God and endure His wrath. Ezekiel 13:10-13 ⁽¹⁰⁾“ ‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, ⁽¹¹⁾therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. ⁽¹²⁾When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?” ⁽¹³⁾“ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. (NIV) The devil will use the antichrist and the false prophet to speak about peace and security when it will be nothing, but a delusion of lies.

JOIN US ON MONDAY WHEN WE WILL CONTINUE OUR STUDY IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

 

 

        Big balls of hail fell down upon the people weighing about a hundred pounds. Can you imagine having hail of this magnitude to fall on you? This indeed will be a horrible plague along with the fear that will come from the effects of a horrible earthquake. No one should want to anger God and endure His wrath. Ezekiel 13:10-13 ⁽¹⁰⁾“ ‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, ⁽¹¹⁾therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. ⁽¹²⁾When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

⁽¹³⁾“ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. (NIV) The devil will use the antichrist and the false prophet to speak about peace and security when it will be nothing, but a delusion of lies.