Revelation 16 (NIV)

Summary:

The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath
Verses 1-21

John heard a loud voice from the temple tell the 7 angels to pour out the 7 bowls of God's wrath onto the earth:

1. Poured onto the land -> ugly and painful sores on the people with the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

2.  Poured onto the sea -> turned to blood, like that of a dead person.  Everything in the sea died.

3.  Poured onto rivers and springs -> turned to blood.  The angel said that God was just in doing so, because these people had shed the blood of His saints and prophets.  Now, they had blood to drink.  The altar responded that the Almighty God is true and just in His judgments.

4.  Poured onto the sun -> gave the sun power to scorch people with fire.  They were seared by the heat and cursed God, refusing to repent or glorify Him.

5.  Poured onto the throne of the beast -> his kingdom was plunged into darkness.  Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed God because of their pain and sores.  They refused to repent.

6.  Poured onto the Euphrates -> its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.  3 evil spirits, one from each mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet came out.  They were frog-like demons that could perform miracles.  They will go to the kings of the world and gather them for battle on the great day of God Almighty.

" 'Behold, I come like a thief!  Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.' "  (Verse 15)

The kings gathered at the place that is known in Hebrew as Armageddon.

7.  Poured into the air -> a loud voice from the throne said, "It is done!"  There was lightning, rumblings, thunder, and a severe earthquake like none other before.  The city split into three.  The cities of the nations collapsed.  God remembered Babylon and gave her the cup of the wine of His wrath's fury.  Every island and mountain disappeared.  Huge hailstones, 100lbs each, fell on man.  They cursed God because the plague was so terrible.

Lori's Thoughts:

This is what happens when you refuse love.  God is love and He cannot accept anything other than love.  This is justice.  Those that choose the devil as their master want nothing to do with God and must be destroyed.

The devil will continue to deceive mankind by building an army and giving men the notion that they can defeat God.  The devil knows he is going down, and he is throwing his fist in God's face by taking some of His children down with him.  However, we all have a choice for whom we want to serve and share with in their destiny.  Christ or Satan.

Verse 15 - " 'Behold, I come like a thief!  Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.' "   Always know which side you're on.  Don't get distracted and loosen your grip on God and be in danger of falling away from Him.  If you grow weary, ask Him for strength.  Whatever you need to make it through, He'll provide.  Just ask.