Revelation Sermon - 37

Revelation: The Seven Bowls Part 1

Revelation 15:5-16:9

1. Introduction – Our passage this morning is hard. It’s hard and awful. It’s hard and awful and horrific.

a. And it’s hard and awful and horrific because it is a picture of what will happen when God’s patient forbearance runs out.

i. John calls this the final act of God’s wrath – these seven bowls bring judgment to a close.

b. As we’ll see in a little bit – previously in our journey through the last book of the Bible, we’ve seen judgment.

i. But those scenes of judgment have been a combination of judgment and warning.

1. Yes, punishing the earth-dwellers, those who claim allegiance to the beast, but as we’ve seen before, there has been warning – there’s still a call for and time for repentance.

a. But not here. In the seven bowls, time runs out.

c. I want to remind you again of how to read this book. We aren’t reading a newspaper article of future realities.

i. We are reading visions, symbols – really, we are reading John’s description of these visions and symbols.

1. And symbols in the letter of Revelation point to a reality beyond themselves. Here’s an example.

ii. In Revelation 5, we are given a vision of Jesus. He’s said to have 7 horns and 7 eyes and looks like a lamb that was given up to slaughter.

1. So, does that mean on the day of his glorious to return, when we see Jesus face to face – are we going to see a Lamb? Is that Lamb going to be as grotesque looking as the vision makes it out to be?

a. I certainly hope not! And we won’t, because these are symbols.

i. When we see Jesus, he won’t have 7 eyes or horns – but when we see him face to face, we will recognize that he is infinitely wise – represented by his eyes.

1. When we see Jesus face to face we will recognize that he is infinitely powerful – represented by his horns.

a. And he will still be bearing the marks of his crucifixion – the Lamb as though it were slain.

d. Symbols, visions – are meant to grab our attention. John could have simply stated in chapter 5 that “Jesus is wise and powerful, he died for our sins.”

i. A great description, but it doesn’t quite grab your attention or grip our imagination like the vision of 7 horns and 7 eyes.

1. So here to in chapters 15-16, Jesus could have simply relayed facts and statements for John to record.

a. I’m going to judge the evildoers. But the meaning, and the awfulness and the horrific nature of that judgment doesn’t really captivate or motivate, does it?

ii. If the book of Revelation simply stated facts, it wouldn’t be nearly as fascinating or captivating as it is.

1. And it’s because of the symbols…the beautiful yet sometimes horrifying symbols.

e. We have to be aware of the purpose of visions – of symbols like we read this morning.

i. They are not meant there for us to take literally – no red dragon or beast; not literally 7 angles pouring out the content of bowls.

1. Visions and symbols are meant to go from our intellect, through our emotions and into our imaginations.

ii. Yes, we can picture this happening, we’ve all seen a bowl poured out. We’ve all seen open sores…we’ve all experienced a sunburn.

1. But, we also need to move past the symbols and look at the reality they portray.

a. These symbols in chapters 15&16 are truly horrific.

i. They describe God’s awful judgment on sin.

1. But what we must realize is that God’s judgment of sin is horrific, because sin itself is truly horrific.

f. God’s judgment of sin should comfort us, yet make us extremely uncomfortable.

i. We should be comforted by the fact that one day, evil will get what it deserves.

1. Sin will be wiped out and those who persecuted God’s people will be judged accordingly.

ii. But we should also be uncomfortable with this – knowing that there are people in our lives – those who don’t have the name of Jesus stamped on their lives…

1. There are people in our lives who are in danger of experiencing this reality.

a. And should be uncomfortable with that, and we should expend all of our energy in sharing the good news of God’s grace.

i. Share the message of grace instead of judgment, of salvation instead of punishment…

1. Of eternal life in the presence of God instead of eternal life in the pit of hell.

g. The final vision of God’s wrath is both comforting yet disconcerting as we consider the ramifications

2. Setting the Scene – And as we dive in to the content of this chapter, look at where this scene takes place.

a. When we read it earlier, did you catch the setting? 15:5, I saw the temple in heaven opened.

i. John said the angels came from the Temple. He further describes it as God’s Tabernacle – the place of God’s eternal presence.

1. This is where the angels come from.

b. As the vision continues, he said the whole place filled with smoke. If you know your Bible well, you know that smoke signifies the glory and presence of God.

i. When Israel was in the wilderness, they were led by God’s glory, a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night.

1. When God gave Israel the 10 Commandments, God’s glory filled the area with a cloud of smoke.

a. When the Tabernacle was made, God’s presence dwelt in it like a cloud of smoke.

i. When Solomon dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, God came down into the Holy of Holies in a cloud of smoke.

1. In Isaiah’s awesome throne room scene, the whole heavenly temple was filled with a cloud of smoke.

a. And so here too, in Revelation 15 & 16 God’s glorious presence is manifest through smoke. Why is this important?

c. Well, think of what’s going to follow…judgment – the pouring out of God’s wrath.

i. John details the setting for us, the temple, the angels, the smoke – to show that God’s wrath flows from his holiness, his perfection and his glory.

1. Unlike human anger which is usually petty, vindictive and nothing more than emotional outbursts over petty grievances…

a. God’s wrath flows out of his perfection and from his glorious presence.

i. It is a presence that is altogether lovely and wonderful and beautiful…

1. But a presence that is also perfect in its hatred of sin.

3. The Bowls – The angels carrying the bowls come from the presence of God – who is fully and finally pouring out his awful wrath against the awfulness of sin.

a. We read the pouring out of the first 4 bowls this morning, but I’m not going to go into detail about them.

i. Instead, I want to point out what is happening in this section.

1. What is happening in this scene is something called recapitulation.

b. I keep saying this, but we’ve been here before. Remember Revelation is writing cyclically. This is not written in linear sequential order, but more of a repeated pattern. And the technical term for this process is recapitulation.

i. It’s popular in music – mainly classical music, although I’m sure some contemporary songs do it too.

1. Recapitulation in music is where a theme or a melody is played around it – and it makes its way through the whole piece.

a. Recapitulation in music takes a melody and tosses it around to various instruments.

i. Maybe it’s played quietly here, louder here, in a minor key over here…

1. But the theme is present throughout and the song ends where it begins.

c. Well, literary recapitulation happens throughout the book of Revelation.

i. Where judgment is spoken about, then dropped…it is picked back up again…then dropped again…

1. And here, the theme of judgment is picked up for a third time.

d. The cyclical nature of Revelation brings us to a point where we feel like we are at the end, only we go around the whole thing.

i. So, the seven seals brought us to a place where kings and generals, the wealthy and the powerful, the free and slaves were hiding themselves from the wrath of God…

1. The seven seals brought us to a place where the 144,000 were worshipping around the throne…but we started over.

a. And the 7 trumpets brought us to the Hallelujah Chorus – the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.

i. But…what happened??? We started over.

e. And here in chapters 15&16 we revisit this theme of judgment.

i. The bowls closely parallel the trumpets, which also close parallel the Egyptian plagues.

1. And while there are parallel events happening, while ideas and themes are being recapitulated – there are some noticeable differences.

f. Remember the 7 seals, the there was 4. The 4th horseman was given authority over a quarter of the earth.

i. A quarter of things were judged.

1. In the trumpets, the number was 3, a third of the earth, sea, rivers, creatures were judged.

a. As an aside, and this is complete speculation. One commentator I read this week made an interesting, but purely speculative point.

i. Remember during the second interlude John was given the vision of the 7 thunders but told not to record what they said…

1. Could it be that their number was 2, a half? We’ll never know.

ii. And here with the 7 bowls, what’s the number? Whole. Everything. ¼, 1/3, ½ maybe…

1. Now in the seven bowls…no more fractions.

a. So, the bowls aren’t merely a retelling of the same events, but they are escalated in judgment leading to God fully and finally judging evil.

g. Next, notice that here in the bowls there is no call for repentance.

i. The seals and trumpets were partial in their judgments…kinda like warning shots.

1. God was making his majesty and power know, giving people an opportunity to repent and turn to him…

a. Here in the seven bowls, no more warning shorts. No more fractions.

h. And notice here, that unlike previous judgment scenes…people are directly affected.

i. Before God’s judged creation, land and water – so people were indirectly affected…

1. But here in the bowl judgments, people are stricken with sores, people are scorched by the sun.

a. So, while there is recapitulation, there’s also an escalation in that this is indeed God’s final act of judgment against the dragon, the beasts, and those who follow them.

4. Why? – So that brings us to the age-old question…why? Why this series of visions? Why the bowls of judgment?

a. The answer to this question is found in vv.5-7. Why does God pour out his judgment? Because he is just and holy.

i. But these verses take it even further. Why judgment?

1. Verse 6 says – it is their just reward.

a. Who is this verse speaking about? Those who worship the beast. Those who received the mark of the beast, those who persecute and kill God’s people.

b. What we have here is another example of the law of retribution. We’ve seen it throughout Revelation – and it is evident through the Bible.

i. An eye for an eye – and no further.

1. When Israel worshipped idols, their punishment was enslavement by idol worshipping nations.

c. And here in Revelation 16, the earth-dwellers persecuted and killed God’s people, so in fair and just retribution they will be repaid.

i. It is their just reward. Some other translations say, “they are worthy of it.’ OR “They deserve it>’

1. But what we have to grasp is that this isn’t out of character for a holy, just and true God.

a. Because of his perfect holiness, he has to be utterly against anything that is contrary to his holiness.

i. He would be unjust if he let sin go unpunished.

5. Application – Not particularly good news today, is it? Not really a feel good, pull on your heart strings sermon.

a. But let’s look at the flipside of this. The flipside of judgment is mercy. There is a way to avoid God’s judgment altogether.

i. Paul in Romans 3 states the plain fact that everyone has sinned. We’re all fallen short; a few verses earlier in Romans 3 Paul writes that not one person is righteous. We don’t seek after God, we don’t fear God.

1. But in Romans 3:24-25, we have the good news…the gospel…a way to avoid judgment and the wrath of God.

a. Yet God…with underserved kindness…grace…declares that we ARE righteous…

i. God presented Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1. And v.25 says we are made right with God by believing in the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

b. What incredible news this is. That the God we offended, the God we heinously sinned against – provided the sacrifice himself in order to make us righteous.

i. And not just any old sacrifices – he put forth Jesus, his own Son to ide in our place….

1. To pay the penalty we deserved, so that we can be made right with God and enjoy the eternal bliss we’ve recently studied.

a. What wonderful news. We’ve read about terrible and awful judgment…but there’s a way to avoid it.

c. A way has been made that is open to anyone and everyone through faith in Jesus.

i. And seeing and reading the awful reality of judgment should once against encourage us to take this message of salvation through Jesus with us wherever we go.

1. Judgment is a reality, it is coming…maybe has already begun.

a. But what is even more incredible than God’s judgment is his grace.

i. Grace that saves wretches like you and me.

d. We all deserve God’s wrath, but because of Jesus, through faith in his sacrifice, instead of receive judgment, we receive grace.

i. The offer was extended to you, now you in turn must extend it to others.