Episode #254. Today we’ll read Revelation chapter 16 together. John describes what he sees as the seven angels pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath.
Transcript
Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #254. Today we’ll read Revelation chapter 16 together: John describes what he sees as the seven angels pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath.
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
Welcome
Wendy is here!! I swear I’m like a kid in a candy store. I’m extatically happy that we are together again, but sadly, it wasn’t always so.
You see, I’m a stepmom. And I can say with all honesty it’s one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever taken on. I suspect the only one harder is being a step-kid.
It’s embarrassing, but I was kind of a wicked stepmother. I was insecure and sometimes jealous of the attention that Mitch gave to Wendy. Shame comes flooding back when I think of my childish behavior.
But God is faithful and good, even when I am not. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but at some point, I relaxed. Wendy was never a threat to me. She was just a kid that needed love like any other kid. By His grace, God has used all three of my girls to teach me lessons that I sorely needed to learn too.
The last eighteen years has been a joy as I’ve watched Wendy become a truly awesome woman. I’m so grateful she is in my life. She’s smart, and funny and beautiful. There is a love and a bond between us that I will forever hold dear.
Today I am grateful for Wendy. I proudly call her my daughter and I am also grateful that she is my friend.
Are you a stepmom? Are you willing to share? I’m listening at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Revelation Chapter 16
The First Bowl
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.” 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.
The Second Bowl
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.
The Third Bowl
The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 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.
Because they poured out
the blood of the saints and the prophets,
you have given them blood to drink;
they deserve it!
I heard the altar say,
Yes, Lord God, the Almighty,
true and just are your judgments.
The Fourth Bowl
The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun. It was allowed to scorch people with fire, 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 Fifth Bowl
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 and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they did not repent of their works.
The Sixth Bowl
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. 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. 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. “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.” So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
The Seventh Bowl
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!” 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. 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. Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared. 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.
Closing Thoughts
Now that the choice of either following the Anti-Christ or the Lamb who was slain is clear, the seven angels take up seven bowls of plagues that are reminiscent of the Egypt plagues from the book of Exodus. This is the final cycle.
We know from previous chapters that many do repent during this time. But many do not. They harden their hearts against God just like Pharaoh did. I don’t know about you, but this is a difficult chapter to read. I don’t need to recount each bowl…they don’t need a lot of interpretation. It’s helpful again to check our perspectives as we read it though.
There is a lot of Pollyanna in me and the voice is always repeating “Be nice!” and “Remember the Golden Rule!” So, I am repelled by all of this violence. But we have to understand that our God has spent thousands of years, patiently and mercifully waiting for every last person who is going to accept His gift to do so. Some will literally enter the Kingdom with the tail of their robe on fire! The only ones left on earth at this point will never – ever – accept Him as King and Lord. They are evil and rebellious and will never be anything else. And God is done. Our Sovereign God has been offended for the last time.
Of course, it breaks His heart, but they are literally irredeemable. I ache too at the thought that some of them will no doubt be my friends and family that I have prayed for but that remain in unbelief.
It Is Finished
With the sixth bowl, everyone is drawing lines and gearing up for the last great battle between the nations – led by the dragon and the beast – and God’s people. The place is called Armageddon. Some scholars think this will be an actual battle. Others contend it is a metaphor for God’s final judgement of evil. Regardless, the seventh bowl comes and with it the words, “It is finished.” And so ends the vision of the unsealed scroll. Let’s pray.
Prayer
Father, I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Help us, Lord. I pray that we would stay constantly alert and remain clothed and ready for Jesus’ imminent return. In His name we pray, Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Show Notes
- Awesome Video of Solomon’s Temple
- These will help! Overview videos of all books of the Bible
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