March 19 - Seven Bowls of God's Wrath (pt. 1)

March 19 – Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath (pt. 1)
Revelation 16:1-7

We’ve experienced plagues that seemed to increase with each new announcement from God. They poured out when the seals were opened, when the trumpets were sounded and finally, the bowls of wrath are being emptied on earth. All that remains after this point will be the final judgment.

These last seven plagues are filled with God’s wrath. As you read the description, your imagination can only partially fill in what is happening. Multiply the pain and agony exponentially. God’s wrath is no longer tempered with mercy and grace. The God that created with the Word is now pouring out His wrath.

Remember what we discovered yesterday, there is absolutely no one in the temple with God right no. No could approach His throne because of His intense fury. So, a “loud voice from the temple says to the seven angels, ‘Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.’” (Rev. 16:1)

They’re here, the final plagues. Only God can cause this destruction to begin.

“The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.” (Rev. 16:2-4)

Then we have an interruption in the flow.

“Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: ‘You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; for they have shed the blood of your saints and 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.’” (Rev. 16:5-7)

When the altar responds, who is that? From Rev. 6:9 we know that John “saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.” From Rev. 8:3, we know that the prayers of the saints were on the golden altar before the throne.

All of saved humanity, the saints, approve the righteous judgment of God. Though it seems horrendous and unimaginable, God has the right to judge this earth. We are His creation, we are His children. We come under His rule and when we refuse to acknowledge that, He has the right to punish.