Revelation 16:1–21

Review…

• OUTLINE…
  • THREE times – PAST – PRESENT – FUTURE – Revelation 1:19
  • THREE events – RAPTURE – WRATH – RETURN of Jesus
  • THREE judgements – SEAL – TRUMPET – and BOWL judgments
  • The Bowl Judgements…
  • The Final Sign in Heaven…
    • John saw a Great and Marvelous sign – the SEVEN final judgments…
    • The conclusion of the Wrath of God – the END of the Tribulation!
  • The Song of the Saints…
    • John then saw a great multitude worshiping on the Crystal Sea in Heaven…
    • The Tribulation saints who had been martyred for NOT worshiping the Beast…
    • They sang the song of Moses [deliverance] – and the song of the Lamb [Jesus Christ]!
  • The Seven Bowls…
    • After these things [μετὰ ταῦτα] – the Holiest of All was open…
    • And SEVEN angels came out – and were given SEVEN bowls of WRATH…
    • The GLORY of God filled the Temple – and no one could enter till His WRATH was complete!

Cursing God…

• 1^st – First Bowl… vs. 1-2
  • 1^st – The command… vs. 1
    • 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!
    • Picking right up where we left off last week – immediately [καί] after SMOKE fills the Temple…
    • John heard the LOUD [μέγας] voice of an ANGEL cry out from the Holiest of All [ναός]
    • Commanding [imperative] the SEVEN angles to pour out their BOWLS of WRATH!
    • What follows is FINAL set of the THREE judgements [Seal – Trumpet – Bowl]
    • In rapid succession – all SEVEN of the BOWLS will be poured out in this ONE chapter…
    • But where the SEAL and TRUMPET judgements occur over the first HALF of the Tribulation…
    • The BOWL judgments likely unfold over the last THREE and a HALF years of the Tribulation!
    • We might look at the wicked world around us and wonder why God has not judged yet…
    • It is easy for us to forget that the timing of God – is not our timing – II Peter 3:8
    • We must not forget that God is patient – hoping men will turn to Jesus – II Peter 3:9
    • But once the TIME is up – the JUDGMENT will come swiftly – and there is no stopping it!
  • 2^nd – Open Boils… vs. 2
    • The first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth.
    • A foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast.
    • Those who worshiped his image!
    • The FIRST angel poured out his BOWL – causing a BOIL to break out on anyone with the MARK…
    • It has been speculated that perhaps the MARK causes a reaction in anyone who receives it…
    • If the NUMBER [666] is a RFID chip implanted under the skin…
    • Or even a BAR code that is placed [tattoo] on the skin…
    • It could cause an allergic response – making anyone who receives it break out with a BOIL…
    • A BOIL that is described as EVIL [κακός] and WICKED [πονηρός]!
    • If you have even had a REALLY bad boil – painful – oozing…
    • And were asked to describe it – you might use the same terms – so PAINFUL it is EVIL!
    • Do NOT miss – there is only ONE boil [singular] – presumably on the spot where the MARK is…
    • Because God does not leave guessing – He bring consequences that point out our SIN…
    • Trying to get us to SEE where we have gone WRONG – so we can REPENT!
    • Galatians 6:7 – “God is not mocked – for whatever a man sows – that he will also reap.”
• 2^nd – Second Bowl… vs. 3
  • 1^st – The Sea…
    • Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea – and it became blood as of a dead man!
    • The SECOND angel poured out his BOWL – causing the SEA to turn to BLOOD…
    • It is described as the BLOOD of a DEAD [νεκρός] man…
    • This is meant to be a CONTRAST – because BLOOD is what gives LIFE!
    • Leviticus 17:14 – “The life of every creature is in its blood.” [NLT]
  • 2^nd – The Animals…
    • Every living creature in the sea died!
    • The RESULT of the ocean turning to BLOOD – was EVERY [πᾶς] living thing in it DIES…
    • This is the THIRD time in Revelation we see water turn to BLOOD…
    • FIRST – when the SECOND Trumpet – THIRD of the sea became BLOOD – Revelation 8:8
    • SECOND – the TWO witnesses – could turn water into BLOOD – Revelation 11:6
    • But here it is NOT limited – NOT just a THIRD of the sea – it is EVERYTHING that dies!
    • God is good at getting our attention – He might be subtle at first [polite tap on the shoulder]
    • But if we do NOT listen – He can also give us a right hook to the face…
    • God LOVES us too much to let us continue in SIN…
    • There is NO limited to what He is willing to do – to show us our need to REPENT!
• 3^rd – Third Bowl… vs. 4-7
  • 1^st – Fresh Water… vs. 4
    • The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water – and they became blood!
    • The THIRD angel poured out his BOWL – and all FRESH water became BLOOD…
    • This is FAR more serious than the SEA [salt water] becoming BLOOD…
    • Because this means there is no FRESH water for men to DRINK…
    • God struck the FRESH water before with WORMWOOD – THIRD trumpet – Revelation 8:11
    • But this time it was not just a THIRD – it was all the FRESH water [rivers – springs]!
    • As a general rule – people can only survive THREE days without water…
    • Becoming increasingly THIRSTY as their body begins to FAIL!
    • God wants the world to see they are THIRSTY – not for the water of THIS life…
    • What they need is LIVING water – ONLY Jesus can truly satisfy us!
    • John 4:13-14 – “Whoever drinks of this water [of the world] will thirst again – but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
  • 2^nd – Just Reward… vs. 5-6
    • I heard the angel of the waters saying: You are righteous – O Lord.
    • The One who is and who was and who is to be – because You have judged these things.
    • For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets – and You have given them blood to drink.
    • For it is their just due!
    • Since WATER is necessary for LIFE – apparently there is an ANGEL who guards the WATERS…
    • But he said – God [who is eternal] was RIGHT to POISON [blood] the water supply…
    • Because these men KILLED [shed the blood] the SAINTS [ἅγιος] and PROPHETS…
    • Therefore – they DESERVE [ἄξιος] to also drink BLOOD!
    • There is an old saying – what goes around also comes around…
    • Meaning the way we treat others – is how we are going to be treated…
    • Therefore – how do we want others to treat us – is how we should treat them!
    • Matthew 7:12 – “Therefore – whatever you want men to do to you – do also to them…”
  • 3^rd – From the Altar… vs. 7
    • I heard another from the altar saying.
    • Even so – Lord God Almighty – true and righteous are Your judgments!
    • A SECOND person spoke from the ALTAR [NOTE – we are NOT told this was an angel]
    • The ALTAR is where the PRAYERS of the saints come up to God – Revelation 8:4
    • Meaning this could be the VOICE of the Tribulation SAINTS…
    • Saying TRUE and RIGHT is the LORD God Almighty – to bring JUDGEMENT on wicked men!
    • When we PRAY for others – we tend to think of PRAYING for blessings…
    • But if people are STUBBORN – and unwilling to REPENT and come to Jesus…
    • Our PRAY should be for JUDGEMENT – so that they will WAKE up…
    • Because it is better for them to be BROKEN here – then CRUSHED in heaven!
    • Matthew 21:44 – “Whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
• 4^th – Fourth Bowl… vs. 8-9
  • 1^st – The Sun… vs. 8
    • Sunburn…
      • The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun.
      • And power was given to him to scorch men with fire!
      • FOURTH angel poured out his BOWL – and the SUN was given the power to SCORCH men…
      • Very LIKELY this is a SOLAR flare – a BURST of energy from the sun…
      • Lots of UV radiation will hit the earth – causing extreme SUN burn!
    • The shallow soil…
      • SCORCH [καυματίζω] 4x in NT – also used in the PARABLE of the Sower – Matthew 13:6
      • The SECOND of the soils – is the STONY ground…
      • Who would receive the GOSPEL [seed] – but had no ROOTS…
      • As a result – when the sun SCORCHED them – they wither and die!
      • There are going to be many during the Tribulation who want to follow Jesus…
      • But the moment times get TOUGH – people executed for their FAITH…
      • They will wither – and walk away from Jesus…
      • The Gospel is not a message of an easy life – it is about eternal life…
      • If our focus in not on the eternal – then when things get HOT – we will not STAND!
  • 2^nd – Blaspheme God… vs. 9
    • Men were scorched with great heat – and they blasphemed the name of God.
    • Who has power over these plagues – and they did not repent and give Him glory!
    • When the men are SCORCHED by GREAT [μέγας] heat…
    • They BLASPHEME [speak evil] of the name of God – because He has POWER over the BOWLS…
    • Do NOT think men assume these are NATURAL disasters [boils – sea – water – sun]
    • Men know EXACTLY where these PLAGUES are coming from…
    • Yet they do NOT repent – or give God the GLORY [that presumably they know He deserves]!
    • We have been programmed over the past few decades – to believe in ALIENS…
    • To be clear – ALIENS do NOT exist – there is only ONE inhabitable planet – Genesis 1:1
    • But there are beings from other DIMENSIONS – we call them ANGELS [good and bad]
    • Perhaps the LIE of the Antichrist – God is the BAD guy attacking the world with PLAGUES!
    • What is sad – is perhaps people who once put their FAITH in God [second soil]
    • Because they were looking to this life – and when Jesus did not give them what they WANTED…
    • They are now the ones who are CURSING God – stubbornly refusing to REPENT!
• 5^th – Fifth Bowl… vs. 10-11
  • 1^st – Darkness… vs. 10
    • Fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast – his kingdom became full of darkness!
    • FIFTH angel poured out his BOWL – on the kingdom [throne] of the Antichrist [beast]
    • The RESULT – his kingdom is filled with DARKNESS [night]
    • God can be blunt in the examples He gives to make point…
    • Men are spiritually blind – living in DARKNESS – so He makes the world NIGHT…
    • Hoping that they will desire to come to the LIGHT!
    • John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness!”
  • 2^nd – No Repentance… vs. 11
    • They gnawed their tongues because of the pain – and blasphemed the God of heaven.
    • Because of their pains and their sores – and did not repent of their deeds!
    • The DARKNESS causes men to be in PAIN…
    • When we are not exposed to enough SUNLIGHT – it does bring health risks…
    • It can cause low vitamin D – which can lead to sickness and even cancer…
    • It is also a very common cause of DEPRESSION!
    • But as a RESULT of their PAIN and their SORES – they SQUEEZE [bite] their TONGUE…
    • They KNOW they should REPENT – they KNOW God is trying to get their attention…
    • But instead – they once again BLASPHEME the God of Heaven!
    • Did you ever WONDER why people are so determined to DENY God today…
    • People have come up with elaborate ideas like EVOLUTION – to deny God exists…
    • The reason is because if there is no LIGHT – then there is no DARKNESS…
    • People want to ERASE the standard – so they can deny their SIN!
    • John 3:19 – “This is the condemnation – that the LIGHT has come into the world – and men loved [ἀγαπάω] DARKNESS rather than LIGHT – because their deeds were EVIL.”
• 6^th – Sixth Bowl… vs. 12-16
  • 1^st – The Euphrates… vs. 12
    • Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates.
    • And its water was dried up – so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared!
    • SIXTH angel poured out his BOWL – drying up the Euphrates River…
    • It is dried to prepare the WAY for the KINGS of the EAST [two views]
    • FIRST – they could be the TWO hundred million demons – Revelation 9:16
    • The Euphrates River is also mentioned in relation to their release!
    • SECOND – they could be NATIONS from the EAST – literally the Rising Sun [ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου]
    • Perhaps a reference to powerful ASIAN nations – Japan – India – China!
  • 2^nd – Unclean spirits… vs. 13-14
    • I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon.
    • Out of the mouth of the beast – and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
    • They are spirits of demons – performing signs – which go out to the kings of the earth.
    • And of the whole world – to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty!
    • John saw THREE unclean spirits [demons] that looked like FROGS [ugly]
    • They were coming out of the mouth of the DRAGON [satan] – BEAST – and FALSE prophet…
    • Giving them the POWER to perform MIRACLES – to deceive KINGS and the whole WORLD…
    • Causing them ALL gather together in the FINAL battle – on the GREAT day of God!
    • Zechariah 14:2-3 – “I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem… Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations.”
  • 3^rd – Thief in the Night… vs. 15
    • Behold – I am coming as a thief!
      • All of this God announces BEFOREHAND – He lets EVERYONE know…
      • He even commands us to BEHOLD [imperative] – He is coming like a THIEF…
      • Apparently not a very good THIEF – because we KNOW when He is coming…
      • Exactly THREE and a HALF years – or 42 months – or 1260 days…
      • After the Abomination of Desolation – Antichrist declares himself God – Matthew 25:15
      • God will gather all the nations of the world – to be JUDGED by Jesus – Revelation 19:15
    • Blessed is he who watches…
      • [Who] keeps his [clothes on] – lest he walk naked – and they see his shame!
      • BLESSED [happy] is the one who KNOWS this – and WATCHES!
      • Some people like to be COMFORTABLE when they get home…
      • The FORMAL clothes get tossed aside – and the CASUAL clothing goes on…
      • But if we KNEW a THIEF was coming – we would not want to be EMBARRASSED…
      • We would make sure we were properly dressed when they arrived!
      • No one will ever be able to say – I did NOT know how to be saved…
      • No one even be able to say – we did NOT know God would JUDGE the world…
      • God has given us INSTRUCTIONS – we just need to take the time to READ them…
      • Blessed [happy] is the ones who STUDY their Bible – so they are READY…
      • When Jesus comes they are WEARING the RIGHT clothing!
      • Revelation 3:18 – “White garments – that you may be clothed – that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.”
  • 4^th – Armageddon… vs. 16
    • They gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew – Armageddon!
    • God gathered THEM [all of the nations of the world] – to ARMAGEDDON…
    • [Ἁρμαγεδδών] – the HILL [הַר] of MEGIDDO [מְגִדּוֹן]
    • The Hill [city] of Megiddo sits in a long valley in the central portion of Israel [300km long]
    • It is part of the Via Maris [way of the sea] – connecting Asia – to Europe – and Africa…
    • It is literally at the crossroads of the World!
    • This will be the place where the Antichrist – and ALL the NATIONS he has deceived…
    • Will gather together in a FUTILE attempt to go to war with Jesus [God]
    • It will NOT be much of a battle – Jesus will just say ONE word – II Thessalonians 2:8
    • And the BLOOD will flow TWO meters deep – for THREE hundred kilometers – Revelation 14:20
• 7^th – Seventh Bowl… vs. 17-21
  • 1^st – It is Finished… vs. 17
    • Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air.
    • And a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven – from the throne – saying – It is done!
    • SEVENTH angel poured out his BOWL – into the AIR…
    • And a BOOMING [μέγας] voice from the Holiest [ναός] said – it is DONE…
    • DONE [γίνομαι] – to come to pass – or to begin something NEW!
    • The idea being – all 21 of the judgements of God [seal – trumpet – and bowl] are complete…
    • The time of the Antichrist ruling this world has come to an END…
    • It is time for Jesus to COME and establish His Kingdom on earth – Revelation 20:4
  • 2^nd – The Earthquake… vs. 18-20
    • God coming down…
      • There were noises and thunderings and lightnings – and there was a great earthquake.
      • Such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.
      • Now the great city was divided into three parts – and the cities of the nations fell.
      • And great Babylon was remembered before God.
      • To give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
      • Then every island fled away – and the mountains were not found!
      • John heard THUNDER – saw LIGHTENING – and then came the EARTHQUAKE…
      • Just like in the days of the Exodus – God was coming down – Exodus 20:18
      • God will cause an EARTHQUAKE – the strongest [μέγας] ever in HISTORY!
    • End of an Empire…
      • Perhaps a reference to a LITERAL earthquake – but more likely speaking symbolically…
      • FIRST – It will cause the FALL of the RELIGIOUS system of the Antichrist…
      • The GREAT city [Jerusalem] – center of his religion – will divide in THREE – Revelation 17
      • SECOND – It will cause the FALL of the POLITICAL system of the Antichrist…
      • The cities of the NATION fall – those who follow the Beast – Revelation 19
      • THIRD – It will cause the FALL of the FINANCIAL system of the Antichrist…
      • GREAT Babylon will be remembered – God will give her the cup of WRATH – Revelation 18
      • The whole world CHANGES – ever island moved – mountain gone!
      • HITLER [an antichrist] believed the Third Reich would last for ONE thousand years…
      • But after only SIX years of WAR – the empire was GONE…
      • All of their ISLANDS [territory] was moved – all their MOUNTAINS [leaders] were gone!
      • Because the Kingdoms of Men will NEVER last – they are short lived…
      • ONLY the KINGDOM of God will last forever!
      • Daniel 2:44 – “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed… it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms – and it shall stand forever.”
  • 3^rd – Great Hail… vs. 21
    • And great hail from heaven fell upon men – each hailstone about the weight of a talent!
    • Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail – since that plague was exceedingly great!
    • The FINAL part of the LAST bowl – was HAIL from HEAVEN…
    • The largest HAILSTONE ever recorded was 20cm [bowling ball] – and weighed 1kg…
    • These will be THIRTY times as large – and weigh a whopping THIRTY kilos…
    • They will hit with enough force to destroy a house – car – or kill a person instantly!
    • But MEN do NOT repent because of this FINAL judgement…
    • Instead – for the THIRD time – we see the BLASPHEME the Lord!
    • God FIGHTS hard to save as MANY as He can during the TRIBULATION…
    • And there will be an INNUMERABLE multitude who will be saved – Revelation 7:9
    • But with each passing judgement – those who remain are HARDER and HARDER…
    • So that by the time you come to the LAST judgement – NOTHING will turn them to Jesus…
    • All that remains is the PULP – that Jesus must come and CLEAN up from the earth!