Revelation 16:1-21
Q.1. What is spared from the bowls of God’s wrath? How does the angel justify the judgments? How do unregenerate humanity and the beast respond? – (Rev.16:1-11)
The seven bowls of the wrath of God spare nothing on earth – the world population, the sea, the rivers and water-springs, the sun and the atmosphere are all impacted (Rev.16:1-8). The beast and his kingdom are also shut down (Rev.16:10). An angel declares the justifiable reason for such destruction – 5 … “Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; 6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.” (Rev.16:5-6). However, the world was – … scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory (Rev.16:9 c.f. Rev.16:11). The beast and his kingdom refused to repent.
Q.2. How does the sixth bowl prepare the way for Armageddon? How is the world united against God and His people? What is the challenge given to the faithful? – (Rev.16:12-16)
The sixth bowl of wrath dries up the Euphrates River, to open a way for the battle of Armageddon (Rev.16:12). We learn that the dragon deceives the whole world – the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time (Rev.12:12 c.f. Rev.12:9). During this time of Great Tribulation, he will multiply more demonic signs and wonders, in order to deceive – 14 … the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty … 16 to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon (Rev.16:14 & 16). It is not for long, and the weary saints are challenged – (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”) – Rev.16:15.
Q.3. How vast is the destruction after the seventh bowl is poured out? What is the target of God’s wrath? Do people acknowledge their mistake? – (Rev.16:17-21)
The world of the Millennial Reign of Christ that follows will be nothing like the world as we know it. The world will be completely re-landscaped. Consider the changes to result from the final bowl of wrath, after – … and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.” (Rev.16:17). Everything will change in an instant, as – 18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found (Rev.16:18 & 20 c.f. Mt.24:21-22). The target of God’s wrath is the godless world system that has claimed to save mankind, and yet rejected its rightful Saviour, Jesus Christ. – The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath (Rev.16:19). Will people humble themselves before Almighty God? No. – … men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe (Rev.16:21). This surely won’t be long.