Wrath Completed
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We come to the final plagues, the seven bowls. With these seven the wrath of God is completed. This is a subject that consumes a great part of the book of Revelation and is a truth taught throughout the Bible.
11 God is a righteous judge and a God who shows his wrath every day.
However it is not a popular subject to teach on and many avoid it - I dont get that opportunity here at CCRG nor would I want it. We remain committed to teaching the entirety of God’s word from cover to cover, line by line and precept upon precept and with it comes teaching the truth of God’s wrath. Tonight chapters 15-16 brings us to the completion of God’s wrath upon the earth and those who dwell upon it.
These chapters are the culmination of the seventh seal and the judgment of the seventh trumpet. Remember the bowls are embedded or nested, in the 7th trumpet and the trumpets are revealed from the seventh seal. In these chapters we see a glimpse of the measure of God’s wrath and despite many feeling awkward or uncomfortable with God’s wrath I believe we can find a comfort and peace. The wrath of God poured out emphasizes His grace and mercy towards those who escape it, the longsuffering He endured prior to pouring it out and that it is justly poured out and those who receive it are deserving - just as we once were.
22 And what if God, wanting to display his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And what if he did this to make known the riches of his glory on objects of mercy that he prepared beforehand for glory—
3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
1 Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues; for with them God’s wrath will be completed. 2 I also saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had won the victory over the beast, its image, and the number of its name, were standing on the sea of glass with harps from God.
3 They sang the song of God’s servant Moses and the song of the Lamb: Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God, the Almighty; just and true are your ways, King of the nations. 4 Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you because your righteous acts have been revealed.
5 After this I looked, and the heavenly temple—the tabernacle of testimony—was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes wrapped around their chests.
7 One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 Then the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” 2 The first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and severely painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image.
3 The second poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood like that of a dead person, and all life in the sea died. 4 The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5 I heard the angel of the waters say, You are just, the Holy One, who is and who was, because you have passed judgment on these things.
6 Because they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, you have given them blood to drink; they deserve it! 7 I heard the altar say, Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and just are your judgments. 8 The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun. It was allowed to scorch people with fire,
9 and people were scorched by the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God, who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory. 10 The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues because of their pain
11 and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they did not repent of their works. 12 The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east.
13 Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming from the dragon’s mouth, from the beast’s mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are demonic spirits performing signs, who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle on the great day of God, the Almighty.
15 “Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.” 16 So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. 17 Then the seventh poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done!”
18 There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since people have been on the earth, so great was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the Great was remembered in God’s presence; he gave her the cup filled with the wine of his fierce anger.
20 Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared. 21 Enormous hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because that plague was extremely severe.
Preparation For The Bowls
Preparation For The Bowls
The Seven Angels
The Seven Angels
1 Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues; for with them God’s wrath will be completed.
Another awe-inspiring sight that John now focuses our attention to in heaven are seven angels with the last seven plagues. This group of seven angels is different from any other we have been introduced to thus far. Each angels holds the last of the plagues. With these final seven plagues God’s wrath will be completed.
Two words are used for wrath or anger in the Greek
thymos - a volatile, passionate anger
orge - anger from a settled disposition
Orge is the more common word for God’s anger in the New Testament with thymos only appearing 11 times and ten of those 11 are in Revelation. This book reveals the judgment of God against a Christ rejecting world. This is a place where God’s anger flashes hot.
Completed means to reach and end or an aim. The white hot wrath of God will accomplish an eternal purpose and is not God just blowing His lid in a fit of rage. It brings about an end to God’s judgment on sin and the end of Satan’s dominion over the earth. It will be finished and completed, perfectly accomplished. In these seven bowls the wrath of God against wickedness is fully accomplished.
Standing Upon the Sea of Glass
Standing Upon the Sea of Glass
2 I also saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had won the victory over the beast, its image, and the number of its name, were standing on the sea of glass with harps from God.
3 They sang the song of God’s servant Moses and the song of the Lamb: Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God, the Almighty; just and true are your ways, King of the nations. 4 Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you because your righteous acts have been revealed.
John tells us he also sees something else - nearby and related I believe. Something like a sea of glass mixed with fire and those who had won the victory over the beast, its image and the number of its name we standing on it.
The sea of glass is designed to reflect the glory of God. We remember this from Chapter 4 its description speaks of the holiness of God and the purity of His word. Mixed with fire denotes the divine judgment that proceeds from God’s holiness and in His Word.
Standing upon this sea are those who had won the victory over the beast, its image or mark and the number of its name. The tribulation saints martyred but remaining victorious even in and especially in death. They stand on the sea of glass as focal objects for the divine judgment for the cry of how long oh Lord. They stand in victory and stand safe from judgment for they are standing upon the word of God
The multitude on the sea of glass all had harps given to them from God, and with them they sang songs to God. Given the blessing of worshipping God with music in heaven. Specific songs - with a specific theme of redemption. The song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. The song of Moses celebrates God’s redemption of His people from slavery in Egypt, whereas the Song of the Lamb celebrates final deliverance from Satan and foes of spiritual life.
“Between these two songs is all of redemptive history of God’s ransomed people”
Out Of The Heavenly Temple
Out Of The Heavenly Temple
5 After this I looked, and the heavenly temple—the tabernacle of testimony—was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes wrapped around their chests.
7 One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 Then the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
At this point John records seeing the heavenly temple - the tabernacle of testimony — was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They come directly from the presence of God and they act not in their own authority but according to God’s. They are described as being adorned with pure bright linens and golden sashes around their chests. These speak of their purity and righteousness. Their adornment points to the truth that God’s judgment is always pure and righteous.
One of the four living creatures passes out the bowls filled with the wrath of God. These bowls are shallow and pan-like. The temple then fills with smoke from the glory of God and His power and no one could enter until the plagues were completed.
God’s presence and glory remains even in the midst of judgment. The fact no one could enter spoke to the declaration that judgment was now irreversible and no longer to be delayed. No priestly intercession could now delay God’s wrath.
Pouring The Seven Bowls
Pouring The Seven Bowls
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”
A loud voice proceeds from the temple telling the angels to pour out the bowls of God’s wrath. Since none were able to enter the temple for the glory of God consumed the room we can surmise that this voice is the voice of God. The bowls are to be poured out on the earth and this is important to see for those who believe that Revelation is fulfilled in history have a difficult time here.
earth might mean some parts of the earth
earth might mean the common people
earth might mean The Roman Empire
earth might mean The Roman Catholic Clergy
If earth doesnt mean earth then no one can tell what it means and God may as well have not written it.
These bowls are the third woe and they are both chastisements (goal of repentance) and punishments (dispensed justice). These bowls have been questioned as to whether they are chronologically subsequent or in fact identical with the trumpets. Clearly there is much similarity, but similarities do not prove identity. If we compare the bowls to the trumpets what we see is that the trumpets still had restraint and the bowls we find no restraint in them. These bowl judgments are similar to the trumpets in nature but they differ in intensity and scope.
First Bowl
First Bowl
2 The first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and severely painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image.
Severe and painful sores broke out among the people who have the mark of the beast and who worshipped its image. The sores are ulcers that do not heal and are extremely painful. There is no remedy or any kind of relief from the searing pain that one feels from these awful sores. Those marked by the beast will be marked for suffering by God.
Second Bowl
Second Bowl
3 The second poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood like that of a dead person, and all life in the sea died.
Whereas the second trumpet blew and a third of the seas was turned to blood and killed a third of the creatures and destroying a third of the ships, the second bowl is poured out and all the sea turned to blood like that of a dead person - perhaps the thick coagulated blood - thus killing ALL of the sea life completely - again the bowls seem to be unrestrained judgment. Most of the earth’s surface is covered by seas this worldwide judgment is tremendous.
Third Bowl
Third Bowl
4 The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5 I heard the angel of the waters say, You are just, the Holy One, who is and who was, because you have passed judgment on these things.
6 Because they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, you have given them blood to drink; they deserve it! 7 I heard the altar say, Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and just are your judgments.
Again as the third trumpet made a third of the waters bitter - the third bowl extends judgment to all the waters - rivers and springs and they became blood. This may seem harsh to affect all of the known water but the end is near and the judgment is deserved. The angel proclaims that they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets so now that’s all they will have to drink - and they deserve the angel declares! From the altar is it declared that the judgments of the Lord God, the Almighty are true and just. These judgments as we continue to look at them remember that they are true and JUST. Nothing that will be poured out is unfair or undeserved.
Fourth Bowl
Fourth Bowl
8 The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun. It was allowed to scorch people with fire, 9 and people were scorched by the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God, who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory.
The fourth bowl was poured out and like the fourth trumpet affected the heavens - but here the intense heat is brought forth. The sun is no longer restrained but its heat and fire is allowed to scorch people. This is true global warming of epic proportions, but this climate change doesnt come until the Tribulation period.
What was the result of these judgments? Did any repent and say oh no we have insulted and sinned against the living God of the universe? Not at all - they blasphemed God all the more and they did not repent or give Him glory! It is a great deception to think that judgment should bring one to acknowledge God and repent. Judgment doesnt bring any special change of heart, if grace does not win you judgment will never bring you.
Fifth Bowl
Fifth Bowl
10 The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues because of their pain 11 and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they did not repent of their works.
Here we see that the bowls poured out are now directed toward the kingdom of the dragon and his beast. This bowl brings with it darkness. A whole new kind of suffering - for the other sufferings have not ended but have only been added to. Because of the experienced pain people gnawed on their tongues and blasphemed God more but they did not repent. Here we find the last reference in Revelation to a failure to repent. This bowl is a preview of hell itself - described by Jesus as the outer darkness.
30 And throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Those who receive the fifth bowl stand on the precipice of hell and still they do not repent
Sixth Bowl
Sixth Bowl
12 The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13 Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming from the dragon’s mouth, from the beast’s mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are demonic spirits performing signs, who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle on the great day of God, the Almighty. 15 “Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.” 16 So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
The sixth trumpet and the sixth bowl both affect the Euphrates river - the pouring of the bowl should be seen in rapid succession and come fairly close at the final trumpet. The drying up the river prepares for the final battle. The demonic spirits go forth and travel the kingdoms preparing signs and assembling them for the battle on the great day of the God the Almighty. This is the battle of Armageddon - they kingdoms will be and are assembled here in Meggido, Valley of Jezreel.
This battle is not nation against nation, but nations against God
2 The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One:
One of three important battles mentioned in prophecy
The battle of Gog - Magog and her allies come against Israel - Ezekiel 38-39
The battle of Armageddon - Antichrist leads the world system against a returning Jesus - Revelation 17:12-16; 19:19
The final battle - Satan and his allies, after the millennium, make war against God - Revelation 20:7-10
Taken as a whole the sixth bowl is preparation for the final bowl before the Second Coming. Which we see here again Jesus speaking that He is coming like a thief - be ready and prepared. Just as Christians are not to be surprised at the Rapture of the Church so believers then at the Second Coming should be ready waiting and anticipating His return.
Seventh Bowl
Seventh Bowl
17 Then the seventh poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since people have been on the earth, so great was the quake.
19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the Great was remembered in God’s presence; he gave her the cup filled with the wine of his fierce anger. 20 Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared.
21 Enormous hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because that plague was extremely severe.
Seventh bowl is poured out into the air and I cannot help but wonder why. This bowl comes with the declaration “It is done” as final and Christ’s words “It is finished”. But like those final words of Christ a better translation is found "it is taking place” - what is? the Parousia - the coming of the king to take His throne and kingdom. The ruler of the air and the ruler of this kingdom was Satan but now it is going to be Jesus. Nothing else needs to happen no more delay, and no more mercy and no more time. The seals led to the trumpets and those led to the bowls and now the scene is stretched as much as possible and as much as God would allow. No more judgments - it is done
Flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder followed by the most severe earthquake ever to occur or ever will occur again. The great city is split into three parts and the cities of all the nations fell. Babylon was given a cup filled with fierce anger of God. Islands fled and mountains disappeared - this judgment changes the landscape of the earth itself. As if that wasnt bad enough then hailstones sever stones weighing 125 lbs fell out of the sky on people places, destroying all.
Still they blasphemed God for the plagues of hail because it was severe. They did not repent because it is done now and now it is coming - the kingdom promised and the King promised.
Conclusion
Conclusion
With everything going on you would think men would be turning to God and realizing their error in living in sin and blaspheming God. Evidence all around us points to the approach of these days. The world is deteriorating morally and spiritually. Now is the time to repent and today is the day of salvation. God’s work is on display now to see - all of creation speaks to the glory and the design and the hand of God at work. Lives changed speak to the mercy and the grace and the redemption and restoration of God.
Those who resist and continue to resist will find themselves faced only with the wrath of God followed by eternal condemnation and judgment. There is deliverance from this wrath and it is found only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It has been asked why eternal punishment is eternal, and the answer is because in the hardness of their hearts people will not change, in judgement and wrath people will continue to blaspheme God. People receive eternal punishment because they are eternally unrepentant.
That doesnt have to be you - you can repent right now of your sin and ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you and He will and you will be delivered from the wrath of God and made righteous in the blood of Jesus.