Revelation (Lesson 45)
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1. Painful Sores
2. Seas
3. Rivers
4- Scorching Heat
5. Darkness
6. Euphrates Dried Up
G. The Seventh Bowl: Widespread Destruction
G. The Seventh Bowl: Widespread Destruction
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
The seventh bowl, the final judgment of the Tribulation is actually a series of judgments that will be poured out upon the whole earth.
The seventh bowl, the final judgment of the Tribulation is actually a series of judgments that will be poured out upon the whole earth.
As the Tribulation is a time of unprecedented trial or judgment, so the seventh bowl is the most severe and totally devastating judgment of the whole Tribulation, ending with the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth.
As the Tribulation is a time of unprecedented trial or judgment, so the seventh bowl is the most severe and totally devastating judgment of the whole Tribulation, ending with the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth.
His personal return is not mentioned in these verses or this chapter, but from the circumstances and the sixth plague, the return of Christ has to be a part of this judgment.
His personal return is not mentioned in these verses or this chapter, but from the circumstances and the sixth plague, the return of Christ has to be a part of this judgment.
The Greek word megas (Great) is repeated seven times in these verses.
The Greek word megas (Great) is repeated seven times in these verses.
This emphasizes the unprecedented nature and finality of this series of judgments.
This emphasizes the unprecedented nature and finality of this series of judgments.
It also stresses how this series of judgments perfectly accomplishes and brings to an end God’s program of judgment.
It also stresses how this series of judgments perfectly accomplishes and brings to an end God’s program of judgment.
Of the eleven times the Greek word megas is used in this chapter, seven are in relation to this last bowl.
Of the eleven times the Greek word megas is used in this chapter, seven are in relation to this last bowl.
1. THE GREAT VOICE
1. THE GREAT VOICE
First, note that this bowl is aimed or poured out upon the air.
First, note that this bowl is aimed or poured out upon the air.
“Air” in the Greek refers to our atmosphere, the air we breathe.
“Air” in the Greek refers to our atmosphere, the air we breathe.
Remember, Satan and his demon hosts have been (since chapter 12, the middle of the Tribulation) restricted to the earth which, however, would include our atmosphere.
Remember, Satan and his demon hosts have been (since chapter 12, the middle of the Tribulation) restricted to the earth which, however, would include our atmosphere.
Also remember that according to Ephesians 2:2 Satan is called “the prince of the power of the air”.
Also remember that according to Ephesians 2:2 Satan is called “the prince of the power of the air”.
This is the domain and the base of operation for Satan and his spirit hosts and their strategies.
This is the domain and the base of operation for Satan and his spirit hosts and their strategies.
In modern days our atmosphere has become vitally important in military matters over which Satan will have control.
In modern days our atmosphere has become vitally important in military matters over which Satan will have control.
This points to a principle: this series of judgments, though its final effect is upon the earth, is a final judgment upon Satan and his domain or rule.
This points to a principle: this series of judgments, though its final effect is upon the earth, is a final judgment upon Satan and his domain or rule.
Second, as John saw this bowl poured out, a voice is heard.
Second, as John saw this bowl poured out, a voice is heard.
It is describe as “loud” or as I said earlier great.
It is describe as “loud” or as I said earlier great.
It is the voice of God, perhaps that of the Son Himself to whom all judgment has been given (John 5:27).
It is the voice of God, perhaps that of the Son Himself to whom all judgment has been given (John 5:27).
The voice comes “out of the temple from the throne.”
The voice comes “out of the temple from the throne.”
This is the smoke-filled temple into which no one was able to enter because of the absolute and undiluted wrath of God being poured out in these seven bowls.
This is the smoke-filled temple into which no one was able to enter because of the absolute and undiluted wrath of God being poured out in these seven bowls.
So with the pouring of the seventh, John hears “it is done.” This is a Greek word that refers to action as not merely ended, but which was brought to its appropriate end and with results that continue.
So with the pouring of the seventh, John hears “it is done.” This is a Greek word that refers to action as not merely ended, but which was brought to its appropriate end and with results that continue.
At this point, God’s purposes of judgment in the Tribulation will be perfectly accomplished by this final series of divine wrath.
At this point, God’s purposes of judgment in the Tribulation will be perfectly accomplished by this final series of divine wrath.
If you recall, there was another moment in history when our Lord made a similar statement. When on the cross, in those final hours of darkness, he cried out tetelesqai “it is done” or “it is finished.” At this point, Christ had borne our iniquities and His substitionary work was complete. He had been judged for man’s sin. This too was a consummative perfect emphasizing that God’s work of reconciliation was accomplished with nothing more to be done other than for men and women to personally believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:14-21, 36; 6:28-29).
But, as the above verses also show, if one rejects the work of God in Christ and his judgment for our sin, then he is under the wrath of God which must also be accomplished; first in the Tribulation and then in eternal seperation in the lake of fire.
But, as the above verses also show, if one rejects the work of God in Christ and his judgment for our sin, then he is under the wrath of God which must also be accomplished; first in the Tribulation and then in eternal seperation in the lake of fire.
As the author of Hebrews asks us, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3)
2. THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE (18, 20)
2. THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE (18, 20)
Before the mention of the great earthquake, John sees “flashes of lightning” and hears “sounds and peals of thunder” (vs. 18a).
Before the mention of the great earthquake, John sees “flashes of lightning” and hears “sounds and peals of thunder” (vs. 18a).
As it has been throughout the Book, this is preparatory and a warning of the extreme judgment that is about to fall.
As it has been throughout the Book, this is preparatory and a warning of the extreme judgment that is about to fall.
Then we read “and there was a great earthquake.”
Then we read “and there was a great earthquake.”
Several things are important here:
First, this earthquake is likewise unprecedented in history.
First, this earthquake is likewise unprecedented in history.
“so great, so mighty.” Used in combination it shows the magnitude of this terror
“so great, so mighty.” Used in combination it shows the magnitude of this terror
Verses 19-20 then give the extent and effect of this earthquake with its worldwide devastation.
Verses 19-20 then give the extent and effect of this earthquake with its worldwide devastation.
In verse 20 we are shown two results that are not only astounding, but mind boggling.
In verse 20 we are shown two results that are not only astounding, but mind boggling.
a. “Every island fled away,” they disappeared into the ocean. Imagine the tidal waves this will cause.
a. “Every island fled away,” they disappeared into the ocean. Imagine the tidal waves this will cause.
b. “And the mountains were not found” is literally, “and mountains were not found.”
b. “And the mountains were not found” is literally, “and mountains were not found.”
The word “mountains” is not stated as the islands in that not all mountains will be destroyed.
The word “mountains” is not stated as the islands in that not all mountains will be destroyed.
Perhaps as a result of the great faults in the earth breaking open and shifting about, the mountains will break up and fall into the cracks of the earth.
Perhaps as a result of the great faults in the earth breaking open and shifting about, the mountains will break up and fall into the cracks of the earth.
Zechariah 14:4 tells us that at Christ’s return to earth the Mount of Olives will split or crack open and form a great valley.
Zechariah 14:4 tells us that at Christ’s return to earth the Mount of Olives will split or crack open and form a great valley.
Perhaps it is at this point, at Christ’s return to earth, that this great earthquake occurs.
Perhaps it is at this point, at Christ’s return to earth, that this great earthquake occurs.
This mind stretching phenomena points to three important facts:
1. The world will be left in shambles.
1. The world will be left in shambles.
All man’s monuments and his great buildings will literally crumble before his very eyes.
2. This judgment will drastically change the topography of the earth.
2. This judgment will drastically change the topography of the earth.
3. Finally, these events will cause a tremendous loss of life on a worldwide scale that is impossible to calculate.
3. Finally, these events will cause a tremendous loss of life on a worldwide scale that is impossible to calculate.
3. THE GREAT CITIES (19)
3. THE GREAT CITIES (19)
The great city that was divided seems to point to Jerusalem, even though we are not sure exactly why this takes place. However we do know two results:
The great city that was divided seems to point to Jerusalem, even though we are not sure exactly why this takes place. However we do know two results:
a. The cities of the Nations, those nations standing against Jerusalem, will fall both politically, militarily and as a support for the anti-Christ.
a. The cities of the Nations, those nations standing against Jerusalem, will fall both politically, militarily and as a support for the anti-Christ.
b. Babylon, which I believe will be the rebuild city or world capital during the tribulation will have the most wrath poured in its direction.
b. Babylon, which I believe will be the rebuild city or world capital during the tribulation will have the most wrath poured in its direction.
4. THE GREAT PLAGUE OF HAIL (21)
4. THE GREAT PLAGUE OF HAIL (21)
We are told these hail stones are about 100 pounds each.
We are told these hail stones are about 100 pounds each.
That’s big hail and it will cause an awesome amount of damage on earth.
That’s big hail and it will cause an awesome amount of damage on earth.
This judgment that might be compared to that of Sodom and Gomorrah or to that on the king of the north or Magog mentioned in Ezekiel 38, only this will extend to the whole earth.
This judgment that might be compared to that of Sodom and Gomorrah or to that on the king of the north or Magog mentioned in Ezekiel 38, only this will extend to the whole earth.
At this point, all of man’s dreams will crumble—houses, fortunes, kingdoms, mountains—everything, but man’s stony heart.
At this point, all of man’s dreams will crumble—houses, fortunes, kingdoms, mountains—everything, but man’s stony heart.
What irony! His heart will have become so hard and rebellious from continued rejection of God’s grace that he can only blaspheme God. His heart will be harder than stone.
Chronologically, the next event will be the return of the Lord to earth as King of kings (chapter 19).
Chronologically, the next event will be the return of the Lord to earth as King of kings (chapter 19).
The next two chapters, however, halt the sequence and give us a clearer look at Babylon because of her prominence historically and in the future kingdom of the system of the beast.
The next two chapters, however, halt the sequence and give us a clearer look at Babylon because of her prominence historically and in the future kingdom of the system of the beast.
Though from the contemporary point of view all the details of these dramatic judgments are not immediately understood, the unmistakable impression of the Scriptures is that the whole world is being brought to the bar of justice before Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no escape from divine judgment except for those who avail themselves of the grace of God in that day by faith in Jesus Christ. The utter perversity of human nature, which will reject the sovereignty of God in the face of such overwhelming evidence, confirms that even the lake of fire will not produce repentance on the part of those who have hardened their hearts against the grace of God.
Chapters 17-18
Chapters 17-18
Revelation 17 and 18 are two of the most intriguing chapters of the Bible, yet two of the most difficult and disputed.
Revelation 17 and 18 are two of the most intriguing chapters of the Bible, yet two of the most difficult and disputed.
Both of these chapters deal with the subject of Babylon and form a unit of prophetic doctrine, namely, the destruction of Babylon.
Both of these chapters deal with the subject of Babylon and form a unit of prophetic doctrine, namely, the destruction of Babylon.
However, these are two of the most difficult chapters of Revelation to interpret and expositors vary widely in their understanding of this section of the book.
However, these are two of the most difficult chapters of Revelation to interpret and expositors vary widely in their understanding of this section of the book.
Chapters 17 and 18 are an amplification of one of the main features of the Tribulation, the place, function, and final judgment of Babylon.
Chapters 17 and 18 are an amplification of one of the main features of the Tribulation, the place, function, and final judgment of Babylon.
Chapter 17, deals with the destruction of religious Babylon.
Chapter 17, deals with the destruction of religious Babylon.
This would have to occur somewhere around the middle of the Tribulation when the beast is finished using her as a means to his rise to power.
This would have to occur somewhere around the middle of the Tribulation when the beast is finished using her as a means to his rise to power.
Chapter 18 describes the destruction of political (economic or commercial) Babylon as it is embodied in the city of Babylon, the headquarters of the beast.
Chapter 18 describes the destruction of political (economic or commercial) Babylon as it is embodied in the city of Babylon, the headquarters of the beast.
The destruction undoubtedly occurs at the seventh bowl when the great city of 16:19, along with other cities, fall in the great earthquake.
The destruction undoubtedly occurs at the seventh bowl when the great city of 16:19, along with other cities, fall in the great earthquake.