Today, Sunday June 19
The First Bowl Judgment
Revelation 16:1-6
“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." So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And 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."
First, again thanks to everyone for your prayers for Michael Luke, our new 1lb 8oz baby that Kim and Chris and our family has been blessed with. Just wanted to give a brief update on him as you continue to pray. He basically continues to do fine. Of course, there are some complications that develop at this early stage in his life, but we have a great God and a wonderful team of health care workers looking after him. Again, thanks for your prayers! They mean everything to Luke, Kimberly, Chris and to all of us!
Today, we are looking at Revelation 16. The Tribulation begins in chapter 4 with a worship scene in heaven. In chapter 5, the Lamb takes the seven-sealed book from the hand of God and again there is worship! In chapter 6, the Lamb begins to open the seven seals and as they are opened, we get a glimpse of the events that take place during the first three and half years of the Tribulation. When the seventh seal is opened then the seven trumpet judgments begin in chapter 8 and go through chapter 9.
I personally believe that these terrible judgments take place in the first three and a half years of the Tribulation. In Revelation 10 through 14 we have an interlude that happens in the middle of the Tribulation where we are given more detail about the two witnesses and events that take place in both the first and second half of the Tribulation. Then finally chapter 15 ends with one of the living creatures giving the seven golden bowls of God’s final judgements that will take place in the last three and half years.
Seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls. This signifies that the these judgements of God are just, deserving, final and complete!
I get the ideal that the first bowl judgment of “a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image”, happens at the beginning of the last three and half years. This vial judgment reminds us of the sixth plague in Egypt (Ex. 9:8-12; note also Deut. 28:27, 35). Only those who have submitted to "the beast" and who have rejected the warning of the first angel will experience this judgment (Rev. 14:6-7).
Revelation 16:10-11 suggests that these sores do not disappear; for by the time of the fifth bowl, people are still in pain from the first judgment. Yet their pain will not cause them to repent (see Rev. 9:20-21). William R. Newell, a wonderful Bible commentator, used to say, "If men are not won by grace, they will never be won."
It is an awesome thought to consider almost the entire population of the world suffering from a painful malady that nothing can cure. No vaccine will be produced to fight it. The fact that this sore is called foul might mean that it has a terrible odor along with an awful look that causes terrible pain and suffering. Constant pain affects a person's disposition so that he finds it difficult to get along with other people. Human relations during that period will certainly be at their worst.
This is only the first bowl judgment! Six more are to come that are even more devastating! May the Lord help us to warn our family and friends of this terrible time that is to come.
God bless!
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