The Last Judgments Before Christ Descends | Revelation 16:1-21 | Richard Caldwell

Scripture

• Revelation 16:1–21

About this sermon

Introduction: Since we began our study of the book of Revelation I have said, more than once, that the struggle that some people have with the descriptions of God’s judgments that will come upon this world in the future (too great or too strange), is a struggle that really reveals a lack of faith in Scripture as a whole. What I mean is that the very things that God says He is bringing upon the world in the future, are the very same things that He has ALREADY brought upon the world in the past. The difference has to do with scope and intensity. This is especially clear as we arrive at the final acts of God’s wrath — the seven bowls of wrath. The seventh trumpet was sounded at the end of Revelation 11. ESV Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." There was an extended interlude in which additional information was given about what had already been revealed, and about what was still to come. Additional information about Israel, about an angelic victory over the dragon, about the antichrist, about the false prophet, about the 144,000 witnesses and their ultimate victory, about the angelic preaching of the gospel, about the two stages of final wrath on the world of humanity at the end of the tribulation period, and about heaven’s delight and adoration in view of that judgment. Now, in chapter 16, we are told what happens when that 7th trumpet sounded. So, we are now picking up where we left off in chapter 11 verse 15. Earlier, in chapter 10, we were told that the 7th trumpet would represent the very end. ESV Revelation 10:7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. Well, what we see is that the 7th trumpet unleashes 7 bowls of wrath. ESV Revelation 15:1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And now, we begin to see what God will pour out upon mankind in rapid fire fashion. I. THE FIRST BOWL OF WRATH (vs.1-2) Once again, we see that our God makes use of His holy angels. We see that this activity originates in the very throne room of God, which is His sanctuary. What is poured out is an expression of God’s wrath — God’s anger — and it is His holy anger against impenitent sinners and their sins. The scope of this judgment is THE ENTIRE EARTH. The judgments we see are similar to the judgments poured out earlier in the book of Revelation — when the seven seals are opened — but these are greater in intensity and scope. What is poured out from the first bowl becomes a malignant sore. This reminds us of the judgment of God upon Egypt. In their case, the 6th plague came in the form of painful boils. ESV Exodus 9:9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt." 10 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. The Greek word for sore is a word that can speak of a boil, or skin abscesses. It is described as loathsome and malignant. When πονηρός (translated malignant) is used in reference to a bodily ailment it means “painful, virulent, serious.” The word kakos is used for “loathsome.” Some translations have it UGLY. The picture is clear enough. Painful sores that men can’t rid themselves of. What God promised in the way of curses upon His disobedient covenant people, He now pours out upon all the earth. ESV Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, and with tumors and scabs and itch, of which you cannot be healed. BUT JUST AS THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT DIDN’T TROUBLE ISRAEL, SO THESE PLAGUES WILL NOT TROUBLE BELIEVERS. These painful sores come upon those who have taken the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. NOTE: WOULDN’T YOU THINK THAT SUCH A DISTINCTION WOULD AWAKEN HUMANITY?

Topics

• Bible Study
• Hell & Judgment
• Jesus Christ
• Prophecy & End Times