1. 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."
2. The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
3. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.
4. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
5. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged;
6. for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."
7. And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
8. The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire.
9. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
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Reflection |
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Just Punishment (16:1–3)
The first two plagues begin the series of punishments that will devastate the earth. God’s wrath is poured out in seven phases. The first is an outbreak of festering sores on all those who worship the beast and its image. The second bowl is poured out upon the sea, turning the waters to blood like that of a corpse: thick, coagulated, and incapable of supporting life. The punishment from the first bowl afflicts only those who worship the antichrist, but the second afflicts the whole world, the death and decay of the sea creatures adding to the misery of the punishment. We might be tempted to think these judgments are too severe, but we must remember that God has always been clear that sin results in death. Praise Him for Christ, through whom we have salvation!
Cursing God (16:4–9)
The third bowl is poured out over the sources of fresh water, and in compound judgment, the sun is allowed to scorch and sear people with its intense heat. In reading this chapter, we get the impression that the judgments will be swift and consecutive; as terrible as the suffering is, the angel confirms that God is true and just in His wrath. It is worth noting that the people know God is in control and yet refuse to repent. Instead, they curse Him, choosing to be destroyed in their disobedience rather than to be forgiven in repentance. They choose their own fate as they choose the antichrist over God.
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Application |
- If you think that these punishments are harsh, you are right. The harshness of the punishment reflects the heinousness of sin. God is just and righteous in His judgment and merciful in His forgiveness and grace.
- When we choose something other than Christ, we are choosing what is not the Way, what is not the Truth, what is not the Life. Such a choice becomes our own curse and our own godless fate.
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A Letter to
God |
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Father in heaven, protect and strengthen Your children. Give me faith to persevere. May Your praises always be on my lips. Please use me to bring salvation to the lost, encouraging people to turn to You as I await Your return. In Your name. Amen.
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