The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath

Revelation Chapter 16

Scripture:
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.”

Observation:
There are a series of three judgments poured out on man. Each of the judgments are successively more severe in area, duration and number of people affected. Those judgments as listed in the book of Revelation are: The seals, the trumpets and the bowls. In today’s chapter we cover the final series that are ushered in by the last trumpet sound, the bowls speak to judgments that bring on literally the end of the world.

Application:
Here is what Peter had to say about these times in 2 Peter3:1-13:

3Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 

You know what? I couldn't have said it better myself.

The question Paul wrote lingers and echoes in my mind "What kind of people ought you be?" I saw today a quote today that said "Jesus did not die to give us peace and a purpose in life; he died to save us from the wrath of God." (Attributed to Jerry Bridges, but I thought the quote timely for today.)

On the day that our savor died, the words "it is finished" were the last words from his mouth. Then where was a n earthquake and the temple veil was torn, ushering the way for God to live in us. Here in this chapter we get another echo of that day where a loud voice from the throne says in verse 17 "it is done!" just as the final earthquake hits the earth and the earth is literally torn and we are ushered in to live with him.

Prayer:
Father God, help us be the kind of person who takes your word seriously. Help us be the kind of people who love you and reach out to save your children from the fire, instead of basking in the glow of it. Amen.