THE WRATH OF GOD
REVELATION 16
Lesson 20
Introduction: We have now come to the last 45 days of the tribulation period, give or take a few days. Before us occur some of the most awesome accounts recorded in the Word of God. The seven angels who were introduced to us in Revelation 15 now attend to the work committed to them. Remember these seven angels came out of the temple of God in heaven. This leaves little doubt that which is to be done has as its source the righteousness of God. In the closing verses of chapter 15, the glory and power of God are in operation while the seven last plagues are being poured out on the earth. As we view this display of the power of God in judgment, it carries some important meanings for the child of God. To some, it is an important source of encouragement to know that righteousness in the end shall prevail and be victorious. Sin and ungodliness may appear to have the upper hand now, but that shall not always be the case. To others it serves as a warning that God does not over look unrighteousness or ungodliness and care should be taken in the manner of Godly living and conduct. To accept the Biblical account that is here recorded should have the practical result of my walking carefully as one who will give account.
I. The seven angels are told to pour out the vials of God’s wrath upon the earth.
a. The first vial or bowl of God’s wrath (Vs 1,2)
1. The great voice is the voice of God.
a) I believe it’s best to take the literal interpretation of what is said; so many have tried to make this symbolic.
b) The best way to study God’s Word is to take God at His Word in a very literal manner.
2. It is quite evident to the student of God’s Word that these plagues parallel those of Moses’ day.
a) The big difference is that the plagues in Moses’ day affected only the land of Egypt.
b) These vials or bowls of judgment are worldwide and cover the whole earth.
3. The bowl is poured out, and noisome and grievous sores are experienced by men over the whole earth.
a) They are painful and foul ulcers, which affect mankind.
b) This judgment falls upon those who have the mark of the beast, the famous 666.
1) The thought is that they have committed their lives to the anti-christ and openly identify themselves with him.
2) The result is that they are now under God’s judgment.
b. The second vial or bowl of God’s wrath (Vs 3)
1. The sea or water, which covers 3/5 of the world’s surface, is now affected.
2. This judgment results in a fluid like blood substance. (The thought is that it is a thick, corrupt, ill-smelling and disgusting scene.)
3. The result is death for all that is on the seas of the world.
a) A judgment of this scope has been unknown to this point in time.
b) A glimpse was given in what happens to the Nile River in Moses’ day.
c. The third vial of God’s wrath (Vs. 4-7)
1. The rivers and waters are now affected by the judgment of God.
a) This is the very source of life for man, animals and plants.
b) Creation is effected by the judgment of God upon sin. (Its interesting to speculate that as God provided for Israel in the wilderness water, so during the tribulation, He will supply the 144,000 with water.)
2. In verse 5, we have an interesting side view with the phrase “angels of the waters.” (It would seem that God has placed His angels in different places of responsibility, and to this angel was given the oversight of water supply.)
3. This third angel also gives praise unto God and sets forth God’s holy position. (His eternal character is set before us and His right to judge.) (Vs.5)
4. The reason for judgment is clearly set forth as a just retribution for what has been done to God’s prophets. (Vs 6)
5. In verse 7 the true and righteous character of God is set forth as well as the position of the almighty one.
d. The fourth vial of God’s wrath (Vs 8,9 )
1. The sun is affected in this judgment and seems to increase its intensity with the result that men are scorched with fire.
a) Fire and judgment, of course, have gone hand in hand with God’s judgments.
b) It’s interesting to note that God’s servants don’t suffer. (Remember God protected His prophet Elijah from heat of the sun.)
c) We could also say that global warming is coming.
2. Notice the sinful state of the human heart is again brought to our attention, for under divine judgment the sinful heart refuses to repent. (Vs 9) (The sinfulness of the human heart is beyond ones comprehension)
e. The fifth vial of God’s wrath (Vs. 10,11)
1. Darkness is a part of this judgment, along with accumulated effects of the preceding judgments, for remember, they are coming in quick succession. (This is a scene of severe agony.)
2. Again, they do not repent of their unrighteousness but blaspheme God.
3. This clearly refutes the notion that wicked men will quickly repent when faced with catastrophic warnings of judgment.
f. The sixth vial or bowl of God’s wrath (Vs 12)
1. This sixth vial has received much attention from students of God’s Word.
a) The water of the Euphrates River is dried up so that the path is prepared for the armies of the Kings of the East.
b) The Euphrates River is the Eastern boundary of the land, which God promised to the seed of Abraham.
c) It’s a great river basin of 1800 miles in length and is 3 to 1200 yards wide and 10 to 30 feet deep.
2. The drying up of this water way makes the way open to move the 200 million man army from the Kings of the East which is the key army of the battle of Armageddon. (Until recently how little we knew of this land, Iraq. Our grandson was in a fire fight on this very river on his way to Baghdad as a U.S. Marine.)
II. The unclean spirits and call for watchfulness on the part of the faithful (Vs 13-16)
a. The unclean spirits who go forth to work all manner of evil (Vs:13-14)
1. From the trinity of evil (dragon, beast, false prophet) comes an outpouring of demons or false spirits.
2. There activity is to draw the Kings of the earth to battle against God and His Son, the Messiah of Israel.
3. In II Peter 2:4 we see some demons have been kept chained to this present hour, and perhaps they are let go.
4. Verse 14 makes it clear that they will have supernatural power.
a) Many would like to discredit what is here recorded, but remember God’s Word is true and Satan is our enemy.
b) The demon world is going to be very active during the Tribulation period.
c) It’s important to remember that God is the object of the hatred which destroys.
d) The Holy Spirit builds up and Satan’s mission is to destroy.
b. Those that trust in Christ and live for God despite the spiritual wickedness of the hour are here in view. (Vs.15)
1. The warning in a sense reminds the faithful to remain true lest when Christ comes, they shall stand in nakedness or disgrace.
2. This, of course, has a lesson for the child of God during this present day.
a) I Thess 4-5
b) Tit. 2:13
c) Rev. 3:10
3. God has challenged us to be ready at His coming
c. Gathered together at Armageddon (Vs 16)
1. This area has been the scene of many great battles in the history of Israel.
a) In Judges 7, you have the victory of Gideon over the Midianites.
b) Also in Judges you have the battle of Barak and the Canaanites.
c) The death of Saul and Josiah took place in this valley.
2. This valley is 14 miles wide and 29 miles long.
a) But the overall area with its plains has a radius of 200 miles long.
b) It’s in this area that Zech 14:1-3 reminds us that some of the armies are in Jerusalem itself.
III. The seventh angel pours out his vial and final events of the Tribulation. (Vs 17-21)
a. The voice from the temple speaks out and announces the completion. (Vs.17)
1. Its over, accomplished, or “the end has come.”
2. All these expressions express the same thought, and that is the final nature of this event.
b. The physical elements are shaken. (Vs 18)
1. Here is a scene of fearsome proportions because nothing to this hour will have prepared men for the magnitude of this judgment.
2. Earthquakes will apparently shake this old world until the teeth of men literally rattle.
3. Again creation is affected by man’s sin and share in judgment.
c. The final judgment of a wicked city takes place. (Vs 19)
1. Here is God’s special judgment upon the seat of wickedness.
a) Some have felt it is Jerusalem
b) More feel it refers to Babylon, the seat of financial and political power.
2. The cup of wine of the fierceness of His wrath is not to be taken lightly.
3. It seems that complete and final destruction is here in view.
d. The topography of the earth is to undergo quite a change. (Vs 20)
1. This is expanded to cover the earth as a whole. (This is consistent with other scripture (II Peter 3:10.)
2. What God is going to use to accomplish this we have not been clearly told, but it leaves open some interesting ideas.
3. God only has to remove His restraining hand and man is perfectly capable of destruction.
e. The final plague of great hail (Vs 21)
1. The great hail stones that are mentioned here have the weight of 100 pounds each.
a) That will be some hailstorm.
b) It does not seem possible, but God says it will happen.
2. Notice the effect that all this has upon mankind.
a) Man is still viewed blaspheming God.
b) The sinful heart of man is in clear view.
c) It seems impossible that when mankind stops to consider the greatness of God and the events experienced, that there would be a revival.
3. Man will do anything else but turn to God.
4. Man rejects Christ and attempts to go his own way.
Conclusion: As we close, let us all remember how easy it is to harden one’s heart toward the things of God. May the Lord keep us tender toward the things of Christ.