The Fourth Angel
“The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 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” (Revelation 16:8-9).
At almost all large chain department stores and smaller chains, various types of sunscreens are sold over the counter. Pharmaceutical and medical grades can also be obtained with a prescription by one’s doctor and/or pharmacist. Sunscreen was first made available in the early 1930s. Australian chemist Milton Blake invented a commercial sunscreen in the late 1920s, leading to the launch of his brand with Hamilton Laboratories in 1932. Medical research says that sunscreen protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation (UV) and is essential in thwarting skin cancer, slowing premature skin aging, and preventing sunburn. Some medical professionals encourage its daily use, while others suggest using it primarily for when one goes swimming, at the beach, or extended exposure out in the sun.
John witnessed the fourth angel pouring out his bowl on the sun, which caused the people to be sunburned. This was the fourth judgment to be poured out on the people because of their rebellion against the Lord. He had given them His laws and decrees. He had given them continuous mercy and grace, but judgment is what they preferred. Unfortunately, this did not humble them and cause them to change. They cursed God rather than have a repentant heart. Therefore, God turned them over to their own devices and allowed the wicked to harden their hearts since they refused to acknowledge Him. This is a dangerous situation when a person refuses to acknowledge God and give Him the glory He deserves. The Bible says: “ If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26-31). These verses lets us know the following:
a. Judgment is brought on for those who deliberately sin.
b. Judgment is rendered after truth has been rejected.
c. God’s enemies can expect to be consumed by fire for their wickedness and rebellion.
d. God is still the same God who rendered judgment during Moses’ day in front of the entire assembly.
e. Those who treated the holy as unholy and blasphemed the Holy Spirit in thought, actions, and deeds will reap the consequences.
f. God promises to repay the wicked with vengeance.
g. God will judge the church and the world.
h. Those who fall into God’s and do so unworthily will do so at their own peril.
God will allow the wicked to swim in their self-made pool of deception when they refuse to accept the knowledge of His truth, and they will receive their due reward—judgment.
The Fifth Angel
“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 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done”
(Revelation 16:10-11).
The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the beast’s throne, and its kingdom was thrown into darkness. In eschatology the beast’s throne represents its seat of power on the earth, authority, and worldwide influence of the Antichrist (or the forces of evil) in opposition to God’s kingdom during the end times. The Antichrist or beast system demands worship, obedience, and allegiance from the people of the earth. The beast system is comprised of the dragon (Satan), the Antichrist (political leader), and the false prophet. The Bible says: “And he was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 13:7-8).
People cursed God because they had painful sores but still refused to repent. Remember that the people had received judgments previously that caused painful sores that they seemed to have not recovered from. One can only imagine how the pain made them half-crazed but even then, they would not repent and turn to the Lord. They preferred to worship the devil and his taskmasters. The devil is the ruler of this world, so his throne is of this earth where his kingdom is evident. The Bible says: “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” (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is amazing how the devil can have people's minds so twisted that they would rather curse God than 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.
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