Revelation 16
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."
Observation:
What did John hear?
1a Then I heard a loud voice
Where did the voice come from?
1b from the temple
To whom this voice is addressing?
1c saying to the seven angels,
What did the loud voice say?
1d "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."
Interpretation:
Whose voice is this?
We have no clue given whose voice is this verse but this voice is coming from temple in heaven.
Based on Rev 14:15,18 this voice may be from another angel
Rev 14:15,18 - 14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe."
Or based on Revelation 6:10; 9:13; 16:7 this voice may be the Voice of the Martyrs with one accord/unison or a voice of a Martyr.
Rev 6:10-11 - 9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Rev 9:13 - 13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."
Rev 16:7 - And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
It is not a big deal but we are sure that this entire book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ and so everything is happening as per the plan of our Almighty God and Lord Jesus Christ.
Based on Rev 16:17 hopefully this same voice is saying "It is done!". This always reminds Jesus last words in the cross "It is finished!" (John 19:30). Based on this verse Jesus is announcing this from His throne in the temple. He do not want to come out of temple to see all these to announce because He is omnipresent (everywhere) God. He can see everything from His throne. Also in Rev 10:7 Jesus announces "the mystery of God would be finished".
Rev 16:17 - 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!"
John 17:30 - So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Rev 10:7 - but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
(WW) The "great voice" out of the temple commands the seven angels to pour out the contents of their vials (Rev. 16:1), after which he announces "It is done!" (Rev. 16:17) The "mystery of God" is finished! (Rev. 10:7) The martyrs in glory had asked, "How long?" (Rev. 6:9-11) and now their cry would be answered.
(DG) Since no one could enter the temple (Revelation 15:8), this loud voice from the temple must be God Himself, who personally initiates the horrific judgment of the bowls.
Are the plagues described in this chapter symbolic?
Revelation 15:1 starts with sign so, what John saw the angels with plague and the Wrath of God in the bowls may be signs but the outcome of the plague is not symbolic. The earth dwellers who lives at that time receive literal pain due to these plagues. You can read this in Rev 16:2,9,11,...
Rev 15:1 - Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
NIV: Rev 16:2 - The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
Rev 16:9 - And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Rev 16:11 - They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
(DG) Perhaps we can’t envision all that these words mean. However, God’s judgment of this world will not be a symbolic judgment. We can remember that the reality behind a symbol is always more real - and in this case therefore more terrifying - than the symbol itself.
Are these angels are requested to pour out at the same time or one at a time?
Based on following verses. They are requested to pour out one at a time.
Where the angels are requested to pour out?
1d "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."
(WW) Each of the angels has a specific "target" for the contents of his vial. The earth-dwellers have already suffered from the seal and trumpet judgments, but this final series of judgments will climax God's plan, leading to Babylon's fall and Jesus Christ's return to earth.
Are these angels pours out all bowls on the earth?
No, fourth angel pours out his bowl to the sun.
Rev 16:8 - Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Even though this angel pours out to the sun but its main target is to affect the people in the earth with heat.
The wrath of God is poured out on the earth specifically to those who not believe in Him but believe and worship Antichrist or Satan.
Believers are not appointed for the wrath of God.
1 Thess 5:9 - 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
The wrath of God is only for the non-believers who suppress the truth with their unrighteousness.
Rom 1:18 -18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Following verses provides more details about where each angel has to pour
Compare these bowl judgments with Trumpet judgments in Revelation 8:7-13; 9; 11:15-19; and Egypt plagues in Exodus 7; 9; 10;
First Bowl Judgment
2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Observation:
Where did the first angel poured out his bowl?
2a So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
2b a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
NIV: Rev 16:2 - The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
Interpretation:
Where did the first angel poured out his bowl?
2a So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
2b a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
NIV: Rev 16:2 - The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
Who did get affected in this judgment?
2c men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
(DG) Those who worshipped the beast and received his mark are now “marked” by God with loathsome sores.
Which judgments/plagues similar to this?
This is similar to 1st trumpet judgment - Rev 8:7
Rev 8:7 - The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were throne to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
This judgment parallels the Six plague in Egypt (Exodus 9:8-12) which is Boils on the people and beasts of Egypt.
(WW) This vial judgment reminds us of the sixth plague in Egypt (Ex. 9:8-12; note also Deut. 28:27, 35). Only those who have submitted to "the beast" and who have rejected the warning of the first angel will experience this judgment (Rev. 14:6-7).
How long this sores tortured them?
It may long lasted till they die/killed.
(WW) Revelation 16:10-11 suggests that these sores do not disappear; for by the time of the fifth vial, people are still in pain from the first judgment. Yet their pain will not cause them to repent (see Rev. 9:20-21). William R. Newell used to say, "If men are not won by-grace, they will never be won."
Rev 16:10-11 - 10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
(WW) It is an awesome thought to consider almost the entire population of the world suffering from a painful malady that nothing can cure. Constant pain affects a person's disposition so that he finds it difficult to get along with other people. Human relations during that period will certainly be at their worst.
What portion of the earth get affected due to this judgment?
In the first trumpet judgment it is clearly given that one third of this earth's green trees and grasses burnt up.
During this bowl judgment almost entire portion of this earth get affected because at this point in time this earth is mostly occupied only by the non-believers who worship the beast and received the mark of the beast.
What God used to make these men to have this painful sores?
God used sun to scorch them with heat in fourth bowl judgment:
Rev 16:8 - Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
God does not require anything to cause this sores to men.
God created this earth out of nothing. The Hebrew word used here for Created is bara' (H1254) which means "create out of nothing".
Gen 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
God's word proceeds from His mouth is enough to bring plague/judgment/wrath to the non-believers.
Rev 19:21 - And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Application:
Angels are not doing anything on their own but they are just obeying God whatever the way He leads them. We need to be like that go/do as per the direction of our God.
NLT: Gal 5:24,25 - 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Second Bowl Judgment
3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
Observation:
Where did the second angel poured out his bowl?
3a Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
3b and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died
Interpretation:
Where did the second angel poured out his bowl?
3a Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
3b and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died
Who did get affected in this judgment?
2c men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Which judgment/plague similar to this?
This is similar to 2nd bowl judgment
Rev 8:8-9 - 8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was throne into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
This judgment parallels the first plague in Egypt (Exodus 7:19-21) which is water turn into blood.
How long the sea stayed as blood?
It may long lasted till Jesus returns in Rev 19.
What portion of the sea get affected due to this judgment?
3b and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died
In the second trumpet judgment it is clearly given that one third of the sea became blood and one third of living creatures in the se died.
During this bowl judgment "every living creature in the sea died" so it affected the entire sea.
Think for a moment how this look like. All the colorful sea become "Red Sea".
What God used to cause this sea to become blood?
Nothing but the Word that proceeds from the mouth of our God.
Read What God used to make these men to have this painful sores? for more details.
How this could affect those who live during that time?
(DG) The sea doesn’t necessarily become blood, but as of a corpse’s blood. It will match the appearance and sickening character of the blood in a dead body.
(WW) This will be an ecological and an economic disaster of unprecedented proportions.
Considering that the oceans occupy about three fourths of the earth's surface, you can imagine the extent of this judgment. The pollution of the water and the death of a so many creatures would greatly affect the balance of life in the oceans, and this would undoubtedly lead to further insoluble problems.
Application:
Whatever circumstance we are God is there as a refuge so that we can go to His throne of Grace.
Third Bowl Judgment
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due." 7 And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
Observation:
Where did the third angel poured out his bowl?
4a Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water,
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
4b and they became blood.
What is this third angel responsible for? or What is the responsibility of this third angel?
5a And I heard the angel of the waters
What did this third angel say/praise/sing?
5b saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.
Where did the another voice come from?
7a And I heard another from the altar
What did this another voice say?
7b saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
Interpretation:
Where did the third angel poured out his bowl?
4a Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water,
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
4b and they became blood.
Who did get affected in this judgment?
2c men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Which judgment/plague similar to this?
This is similar to 3rd trumpet
Rev 8:10-11 - 10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
This judgment parallels the first plague in Egypt (Exodus 7:19-21) which is water turn into blood.
(WW) The second and third vials parallel the first plague in Egypt (Ex. 7:14-25).
What portion of the river get affected due to this judgment?
In the third trumpet judgment it is clearly given that one third of the waters became wormwood and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
During this bowl judgment it affected the entire rivers and springs of water, and they all became blood.
(WW) The second vial will center on the sea. and the third will turn the inland waters (rivers and fountains) into blood. When the second trumpet judgment occurred, a third part of the sea became blood: but with this judgment, the entire system of seas and oceans will be polluted. The third trumpet made a third part of the inland waters bitter as wormwood: but the third vial will turn all of those bitter waters into blood.
How long the river stayed as blood?
It may long lasted till Jesus returns in Rev 19.
What God used to cause this river to become blood?
Nothing but the Word that proceeds from the mouth of our God.
Read What God used to make these men to have this painful sores? for more details.
How this could affect those who live during that time?
Think for a moment how this look like.
What do they drink?
Bloody water.
(JC) As hard as it is to imagine, every creek, lake, and river will turn to blood. Every faucet, every hose, every drinking fountain will run blood instead of water.
Is it possible to survive without water?
They may survive longer with stored water such as in bottles, tanks,... This may be possible but as per Exodus 7:19 even these stored waters also become blood. Since in bowl judgment all river and spring waters are become blood so this also include all stored water.
Also Exodus 7:25 says that in Egypt was without water for 7 days.
Exodus 7:19,25 - 17 Thus says the Lord: "By this you shall know that I am the Lord. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood. 18 And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river." ' " 19 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.' " 20 And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. 23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this. 24 So all the Egyptians dug all around the river for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the river. 25 And seven days passed after the Lord had struck the river.
In general it is impossible to live/survive much longer without water.
(DG) When these judgments come, the time must be very short until the return of Jesus. With ecological disaster such as this, the human race cannot survive long.
What is this third angel responsible for? or What is the responsibility of this third angel?
5a And I heard the angel of the waters
What did this third angel say/praise/sing? and What did you learn from this?
5b saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.
Whom this third angel praising?
5b saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be,
What one main thing this third angel praising about?
5b saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be,
God is Righteous.
Why this third angel praising?
5c Because You have judged these things.
Who and Why God is judging righteously?
6a For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
2c men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Rev 13:7 - It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Rev 13:15 - 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
How God is judging them?
6b And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.
Whatever the way people sow their sin the same way they will reap/receive the consequences.
Matthew 7:2 - For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Rev 13:10 - He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Rev 18:6-7 - 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.'
(WW) Heaven gives justification for this terrible judgment: the earth-dwellers have shed the blood of God's people, so it is only right that they should drink blood. In God's government, the punishment fits the crime.
Pharaoh tried to drown the Jewish boy babies (Exodus 1:22), but it was his own army that eventually drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:26-28).
Haman planned to hang Mordecai on the gallows and to exterminate the Jews (Es. 3:6; 5:14): but he himself was hanged on the gallows, and his family was exterminated (Es. 7:10; 9:10).
King Saul refused to obey God and slay the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15:18-25), so he was slain by an Amalekite (2 Sam. 1:1-16).
Where did the another voice come from?
7a And I heard another from the altar
Whose is this another voice?
7 And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
It is not God’s voice because, the voice says about God’s righteous attributes.
We heard the similar voice from the altar in
Rev 9:13 - 13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."
It is not angel voice because this voice is responding/acknowledging to the third angel's praise/song.
It is more appropriate that this voice must be the Voice of the Martyrs with one accord/unison or a voice of a Martyr because Martyrs under the alter has requested the Lord to Judge those who martyred them but they were requested to wait in response to their cry in Rev 6:10-11.
Rev 6:10-11 - 9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
(DG) This voice is either an angel speaking from the altar, or the altar personified, representing the corporate testimony of the martyrs (Revelation 6:9) and the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:3-5).
What did this another voice say that?
7b saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
Why did this another voice say that?
Martyrs with one accord acknowledges the third angel's praise song because here they are literally seeing the judgment/wrath of God poured out on those who shed the blood of saints and prophets.
So, here they are really thanking God Almighty for judging/punishing them.
Read topic Is there any more significance in this reaping passage? in Rev 14:14-20 notes.
What did you learn from this another voice saying?
7b saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
His judgments are true and righteous.
Even the third angel also said the same
Rev 16:6 - For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due."
God judges in His own timings which is the perfect timing.
Application: How God does these perfectly?
Because He is omniscient (All Knowing) God.
No one can find fault in His judgments.
If you think His judgments are wrong then He will explain you why He judges like this. He will come to your level and explains to you and I am sure that you will be convinced. Jesus demonstrated this to Apostle Thomas.
John 20:26-29 - 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" 27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
If we know Him deeper then we will understand Him better.
James 4:8a - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Why don't the Loving God forgive them instead of punishing for their deeds?
5b saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be,
7b saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
Our God is Loving at the same time He is also Righteous. He cannot compromise His Righteousness because of His Love.
Out of His Love He made a provision to escape(i.e. Jesus Christ death on the cross in our place) to those who believe in Jesus Christ:
John 3:16-19 - 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
(DG) This “speaking altar” may be God’s altar - the cross, where His greatest sacrifice was made, and which here testifies of His righteous judgment, both in the past and soon to come. This is altar where God in His love offered a way of escape from these judgments.
(JC) Through the centuries, people have questioned how He who is supposed to be love can be so judgmental, so brutal, so bloody. Yet here in verse 5, we hear the angel say that the very turning of the water to blood is an act of righteousness. Why? Think with me.… As Jesus hung on the Cross, praying forgiveness upon those who nailed Him there, water and blood flowed from His side (John 19:34). Medically indicative of a broken heart, the water and blood meant nothing to the crowd at Golgotha who cursed Him, spat upon Him, and turned their backs on Him. Thus, here in Revelation, the water is turned to blood physically because mankind rejected the blood that flowed with water redemptively.
God will judge righteously those who didn't believe God's provision to escape :
Rev 20:12,13 - 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Application:
Is this how God judges believers in Christ?
No
How God judges believers?
We also know that believers judgment is also called rewarding ceremony or Bema seat judgment.
2 Cor 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
1 Cor 3:8-15 - 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Why God is not judging/punishing (pouring out His wrath on) believers same as non-believers?
Jesus bore all the believers sins and received their punishment/the wrath/condemnation/judgment of God. Jesus died not for His sins but for our sins Jesus died on the Cross in our place.
Is 53:4-6,10-12 - 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked-- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
1 John 2:2 - And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Romans 10:4 - 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
NLT: Romans 10:4 - For Christ has accomplished the whole purpose of the law. All who believe in him are made right with God.
How to escape from the wrath of God or God's Righteous Judgment?
To those acknowledge this accept Him as Lord and Savior He provides/shares/imputes God's Righteousness to become Holy and have a relationship/reconcile with our Almighty God.
2 Cor 5:21 - 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Turn to God and confess with your mouth from your heart:
Romans 10:9-11 - 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
How God deals with believers when they continue to live in their old sinful ways?
God disciplines His Children:
Rev 3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Heb 12:5-12 - 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Jesus reveals the purpose for this chastening.
First, it is to draw them to repent of their deeds. They wouldn’t listen to Jesus before, so He has to speak “louder” through a sickbed.
Second, it is to give an example of holiness to other churches: and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.
Example: Rev 2:21-22 - 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
God expect us to judge ourself hear in earth while we live and maintain the relationship with Him:
1 Cor 11: 31 - 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
1 John 1:9-10 - 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Matt 6:12-15 - 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Is the trials is part of the salvation package?
Yes
Is the trials to believers is wrath of God?
No.
Believers are not appointed for the wrath of God.
1 Thess 5:9 - 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
The wrath of God is only for the non-believers who suppress the truth with their unrighteousness.
Rom 1:18 -18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Why God allows trials to those who believes in Him?
Trails strengthen our faith...
NLT: Romans 5:3 - We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us -- they help us learn to endure.
Romans 5:3 - 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope
NLT: 1 Peter 1:6-7 - 6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. 7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold -- and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:6-7 - 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
How to handle your trials?
Zechariah 4:6 - So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.
Rom 5:5 - Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
2 Cor 5:14 - For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
Romans 8:35-9 - 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NLT: Romans 8:35-9 - 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? 36 (Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep." ) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(JC) In our own times of trial and tribulation, there can be a tendency within us to question the fairness of the Father. But the altar, the place of sacrifice, the Cross speaks just the opposite. If you don’t see this, you’ll go through life one day blessing the Lord in the amphitheater and the next day cursing Him because of your troubles at work. God demonstrated His love for you in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Therefore, it is through the lens of God’s love as demonstrated on the altar of Calvary that I must look at every trial I face and every hard time I endure.
“What shall we say then? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (see Romans 8:32) Because God loved me enough to hang on the Cross in my place, to pay for my sin, to die for me, I know everything He does in my life—whether or not I understand it at the time—is right.
Complaining about my job, boss, paycheck, kids, singleness, or employees only means I am not listening to the cry of the altar, that I have forgotten Calvary. Allow the Cross to “altar” your view, precious people, as you look at everything in the light of Calvary.
So let us all endure our trials with the love of God that pours out by the power of the Holy Spirit:
1 Peter 3:17 - For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Fourth Bowl Judgment
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Observation:
Where did the third angel poured out his bowl?
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
9a And men were scorched with great heat
What is their response?
9b and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Interpretation:
Where did the third angel poured out his bowl?
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.
Who did get affected in this judgment?
2c men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Which judgment/plague similar to this?
This is similar to 4th trumpet judgment
Rev 8:12 - Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
This judgment parallels to 6th plague in Egypt which is Boils on the people and beasts of Egypt - Exodus 9:8-12
What God used to scorch men with fire?
God used Sun to scorch men with fire.
Read What God used to make these men to have this painful sores? for more details.
Application: Do you know why God used Sun to scorch the men with great heat instead of His word from His mouth?
We do not know why God used Sun here instead of His word that proceeds from His mouth.
He is God we are not. Because this is Jesus style.
You can notice this in Gospels. By His word He healed people, made a clay by spiting and healed the blind,...
Why God does this?
He do this to teach us how to depend on Him for all the things in their life. Otherwise believer in Christ will
come up with formula/pattern/ritual to approach Him and
practice to assume the answers from God before even they receive answers from Him.
Instead of depending on God they function independently.
We can see this in detail:
Can we figure out our God's ways or thoughts fully?
For certain degree God revealed Himself through His word and through the life of Jesus Christ in the Bible.
1 Cor 13:9-12 - 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
NLT: 1 Cor 13:9-12 - 9 Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! 10 But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear. 11 It's like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.
When we walk with Him then He will reveals Himself more to us through His Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-15 - 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
Gal 5:24,25 - 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
NLT: Gal 5:24,25 - 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
For prayers such as following we can claim the promises he has given already in His word and believe that he answered our prayer
Mark 11:24 - Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them
Give me strength to Love others/enemies.
Take away my bitterness towards my offender/enemy.
Give me heart to forgive others/enemies.
Give me strength to obey/submit my parents/authorities/boss.
For other personal prayers:
Do you know what answer God will answer you before even He answers your prayer?
Do you know what time He will answers us?
No
Sometimes He may answer us instantly while we pray once we make known our request to our God.
Sometimes He may answer or foretell us through the gift of prophesy and word of knowledge.
Sometimes He may not answer us.
In this case we should not presume/assume the answer He will respond to us.
Why He delays?
We do not know but we need to wait for His answers.
Isaiah 40:31 - But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Expand this thought for healing, miracles,... Do you know how He heals a person?
We cannot figure out God completely then we become God.
If we completely figure out then we do not go to Him or we do not want Him.
Is 55:8-9 - 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
What we need to do then?
He is living and loving God. We need to know....
Without Him we can do nothing.
John 15:5 - I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
With Him we can do all things.
Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
He loves to have on going relationship with Him.
Prov 3:5-6 - 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
NLT: Gal 5:24,25 - 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
He is God we are His children so when we call upon Him He will answers us and show us great and mighty things which we could not even imagine.
Jeremiah 33:3 - 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Phil 4:6-7 - 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
9a And men were scorched with great heat
How worst they were scorched with great heat?
At this time there is no water so the heat really intense and people may die due to dehydration, suffer with intense pain due to boils on their body,...
How long they were scorched with great heat?
It may long lasted till Jesus returns in Rev 19.
What is their response?
9b and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
9b and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues;
Why they blaspheme God?
9b and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues;
How do they know that God has power over these plagues? or How do they know these plagues are poured out by God?
The beast/Antichrist trained them to blame God for every bad things happen in their life
Rev 13:5-6 - 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
Read topic Why the beast/Antichrist blasphemes God? in Rev 13:5-6 notes.
9c and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Does God really enjoying in Judging these like this?
God is not really enjoying in Judging these. He is always looking for true repented souls:
Ez 33:11 - 10 "Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: 'Thus you say, "If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?" ' 11 Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
Does these plagues bring repentance to their heart?
(WW) All earthly life depends on the light of the sun. In previous judgments, a part of the sun had been dimmed (Rev. 8:12), but now the heat of the sun is increased. Anyone who has been on the desert knows how merciless the sun's heat can be. Remembering too that the water system is now useless, you can imagine how-people will suffer from thirst. Alas, even this judgment will not bring men to their knees! (see Mal. 4:1)
(JC) Even though they can barely speak due to the pain that overwhelms them, men still find it in their hearts to blaspheme God.
Why they are not repenting even though they knew God and His power?
Answer this by answering this question:
Why Pharisees and Sadducees didn't accept Jesus as their Messiah even after they see Jesus and His miracles?
They think that they are really worshiping God by ritually approaching God but have no relationship with our living God also they do not want anyone to be higher than their self.
John 8:19 - Then they (Pharisees-v13) said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also."
Matt 15:1-9 - 1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." 3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 5 But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"-- 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "
They are stubborn or Their heart is hardened. This applies to all non-believers.
Because they are self righteous they do not want anyone higher than them.
Satan's fall was due to this reason.
Romans 2:29 - 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
NLT: Romans 2:29 - 28 After all, who is a real Jew, truly circumcised? It is not the man who is a Jew on the outside, whose circumcision is a physical thing. 29 Rather, the real Jew is the person who is a Jew on the inside, that is, whose heart has been circumcised, and this is the work of God's Spirit, not of the written Law. Such a person receives praise from God, not from human beings
Here even though they knew God they suppress the truth by their unrighteousness:
Rom 1:18-23 - 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Do the non-believers (including Pharisees, Sadducees) might have believed in Jesus if they might have seen Jesus as King, or glorified Jesus in heaven?
No. Some may think that they didn't see Jesus as King, or glorified Jesus in heaven so they didn't believe in Jesus.
But it is not true even if they might have seen Him as a King they might have not believed in Him for the same reason as above.
Pharisees saw Jesus entering Jerusalem as a king but they hate that and didn't accept Jesus as King and Messiah:
Luke 19:35-40 - 35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. 36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. 37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying: "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." 40 But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."
We can also see this in Rev 6:15-17 that these people didn't repent even after seeing Jesus as King in His throne.
Rev 6:15-17 - 12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Does this reminds anything during Jesus reign in millennial Kingdom?
There are many non-believers who lives under the reign of Jesus Christ as the King after His 2nd coming. Jesus will rule and reign for 1000 years (millennial Kingdom).
This is how the non-believers will be stubborn with un-repented heart who lives after 2nd coming of Jesus Christ whom Jesus reign during His millennial Kingdom.
Rev 19:15 - Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
These Non-believers even after seeing Jesus Christ during His 1000 years millennial reign never repent but join with Satan and try to battle against our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev 20:7-10 - 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Application:
Did you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and experience His Love?
If not ... Do you want to risk your life by delaying in accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
(JC) Now, you can either undergo the brutal and bloody radical surgery of the Tribulation—or you can undergo open-heart surgery in this day of grace by opening your heart to Jesus Christ. You see, sin must be judged one way or another. I highly recommend bypassing the Tribulation and letting the Lord do surgery on your heart today!
(Spurgeon) “This is real penitence, when the man gives glory to the justice of God, even though it condemns him. O my hearer, do you thus repent? Is sin really sinful to you? Do you see its desert of hell? If not, your repentance needs to be repented of.”
Don not delay turn to God, believe in Jesus Christ by confess with your mouth from your heart:
Romans 10:9-11 - 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
What really makes the people to repent and believe in Jesus?
Is it possible to make people to believe in God by threatening them by showing the righteousness and sovereign power of God?
Some may think we can make one to turn to God by threatening them by showing the righteousness and sovereign power of God or by saying if you do this God will punish you.
In Hindu culture most of the people believe in God out of fear because they were brought up that way from the childhood with the word of mouth.
Most Christians from that similar background start to believe in God only out of fear.
Is this a real conversion?
No
(Spurgeon) “Judgment may produce a carnal repentance - a repentance that is of the flesh, and after the manner of the sinful nature of men. In this repentance the depravity of the heart remains the same in essence, though it takes another form of showing itself. Though the man changes, he is not savingly changed: he becomes another man, but not a new man. The same sin rules in him, but it is called by another name, and wears another dress. The stone is carved into a more sightly shape, but it is not turned into flesh. The iron is cast into another image, but it is not transformed into gold. This carnal repentance is caused by fear. Does not every thief repent of robbery when he is convicted and sent to jail? Does not every murderer repent of his crime when he stands under the fatal tree?”
(Walvoord) “The wishful thinking of some that men would repent if they only knew the power and righteous judgment of God is shattered by frequent mention in this chapter of the hardness of the human heart in the face of the most stringent and evident divine discipline.”
What is really going on? Why there is no real transformation happening in their life?
They may be started to believe in God out of fear but eventually they sin and they may not experience God's punishment immediately. Either they may stop believing for a while until they face troubles. By this they started to have a double life or pretending lifestyle.
Why God is not punishing people immediately when they sin?
Because of God's Grace, Love, Mercy.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
People may start to believe in God out of fear but they need to grow in the knowledge of God and multiply in His wisdom. Instead if they misuse the Grace of God (thinking that God is not punishing me now,..) then they will not truly believe in Jesus and allow Him to transform them.
It is our constant reminder to all of us that only by God's Grace and Love people will repent and believe in Jesus:
(DG) The failure of men to respond with repentance shows that knowledge or experience of judgment will not change man’s sinful condition. Those who are not won by grace will never be won.
Eph 2:4-9 - 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them
John 3:16-19 - 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
If anyone didn't respond to gentle, soft and tender voice of Jesus as in the song "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling..." then they will not respond to Him anymore.
Rev 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Matt 11:28 - 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
In other words Jesus gently whispers to everyone through His Holy Spirit. They keep on suppress the truth by their unrighteousness and finally blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
Matt 12:31-32 - 31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
Read Who is that person that Jesus warns not to blasphemy against? for more details.
What really makes this non-believers to blaspheme God? Why non-believers blasphemed God?
Here in Revelation 16:9,11,21 non-believers blaspheme God when they go through pain because they developed their hatred towards God instead of experience the Love of God.
What really makes the believers not to blaspheme God even when they go through difficult trial/persecution? or What really bonds the believer with Jesus Christ?
Love of God bonds us together with God.
Is your faith depends on God's Blessing or God's Love?
Blessings may come and go but if believer in Christ continuously experience or stay in the Love/Peace of God then they will not be shaken by any one.
Romans 8:35-9 - 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NLT: Romans 8:35-9 - 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? 36 (Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Christians glorify God when they go through death, fears, worries, trials because God's Love bonds or sustain them together by giving them strength to overcome the world until they see Jesus face to face.
How do the believers experience this amazing Love of God?
Believing in Jesus Christ by born again in His Holy Spirit.
John 3:5 - Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Continuously filling them with God's Holy Spirit:
Romans 5:5 - Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Eph 5:18 - 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Fifth Bowl Judgment
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Observation:
Where did the fifth angel poured out his bowl?
10a Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast,
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
10b and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
What is their response?
11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Interpretation:
Where did the fifth angel poured out his bowl?
10a Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast,
Who is this beast? Whose throne and kingdom is this?
It is the Antichrist throne and kingdom.
List basic facts available in the Bible about the Antichrist kingdom.
The Kings under his control are in East of Jerusalem and also in the west. In other words he has kings all over the world under his control.
Rev 16:12,14 - 12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
The Antichrist is from Roman kingdom (Revived Rome). He has Ten kingdoms that rules the entire parts of the world.
Dan 2:32-33 - 31 "You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. 32 This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
Dan 2:43-45 - 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Dan 9:26-27 - 26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."
Rev 17:9-13 - 9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. 12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
For more details read What these sign means? topic in Revelation 13th chapter.
Claims Himself as God in the Temple of God in Jerusalem:
Matt 24:15 - "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.Dan 9:27 - Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."
2 Thes 2:4 - 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you kno(Warren Wiersbe)hat is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
Where is the throne of "the beast"? or How this Antichrist kingdom may be structured/formed?
Think of few examples based on the available facts about the Antichrist kingdom.
Example: The Antichrist Kingdom may functions like United Nations (UN) but he keep every Kingdoms under His power and authority.
Following taken from: http://www.un.org/en gathered on Sep. 2011
When the UN formed?
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries.
Why UN?
Four main purpose of The UN:
To keep peace throughout the world;
To develop friendly relations among nations;
To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.
How many countries members of this UN?
192 countries out of 195 countries are members of UN (South Sudan, the Vatican City and Kosovo are not a member of UN).
Where is the UN Headquarters?
United Nations Headquarters in New York City, as viewed from the East River (few blocks NE of Empire State Building).
Due to visa issues and local residence request planning to move Canada, Singapore, Dubai,...
What is their Organization Structure?
Secretary-General: Ban Ki-moon
Deputy Secretary-General: Asha-Rose Migiro
General Assembly - President: Joseph Deiss
Security Council - President: Nawaf Salam
Economic & Social Council - President
Trusteeship Council
International Court of Justice
Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days is a best-selling novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins portrays that this UN Secretary-General become the Antichrist.
Example: In history most of the time one country dominates or stands unique as the World Empire and that country always keeps other countries under their subjection. Such as Greece, Rome, British,...
Now USA dominating and democratically/politically keep other countries under their subjection through their power.
Like this Antichrist kingdom may be in Rome or in a city on the 7 mountains. He is controlling/subdue other 10 kingdoms which rules the entire parts of the world. During the Antichrist reign these 10 kingdoms submit to the Antichrist's authority as in Rev 17:13
(WW) Perhaps he is ruling from Rome, in cooperation with the apostate church headquartered there.
Example: The Antichrist headquarters in Jerusalem temple, rules and claims to be God as said in 2 Thes 2:4 with his image as said in Rev 13:14,15.
(WW) His image is in the temple in Jerusalem, so that may be the center of his operation.
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
10b and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
List the two outcomes of this judgment:
the beast/Antichrist kingdom became full of darkness
they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
What God used to cause this beast kingdom become dark and cause them pain?
Nothing but the Word that proceeds from the mouth of our God.
Read What God used to make these men to have this painful sores? for more details.
Which judgments/plagues similar to this?
This is similar to 4th trumpet judgment because the outcome of this judgment is darkness like this bowl judgment.
Rev 8:12 - Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
This is similar to 5th trumpet judgment because the outcome of this judgment is pain like this bowl judgment.
Rev 9:1-6 - 1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. 12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.
This judgment parallels to following Egypt plagues
6th plague brought Boils on the people and beasts of Egypt that caused pain to them - Exodus 9:8-12
8th plague brought Locust all the land of Egypt and it darkened their land;- Exodus 10:1-20
9th plague brought thick Darkness in the land of Egypt but Israelites had light - Exodus 10:21-29
Is this really a physical darkness?
10b and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain
Yes, the outcome of this judgment is physical darkness.
Compare Rev 16:10 with 4th Trumpet Judgment.
This fifth bowl judgment darkens only the Kingdom of the beast/Antichrist.
Rev 16:10 - Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
This darkens the one third of the entire earth:
Rev 8:12 - Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
(DG) But it isn’t necessary to see this darkness as a symbolic political darkness. The ninth plague on Egypt was a literal darkness, with spiritual overtones. It could be felt, as described in Exodus 10:21-22.
(WW) This is not worldwide darkness: only "the beast." his throne, and his kingdom are affected.
When God sent the ninth plague to Egypt, the entire land was dark, except for Goshen where the Israelites lived. The judgment of the fifth vial is just the opposite: there is light for the world, but darkness reigns at the headquarters of "the beast"! Certainly this will be a great blow to his "image" throughout the earth.
Why then they gnawed their tongues because of the pain if this is physical darkness? Or Dose this darkness means any other thing?
This pain may be because of first four bowl judgments.
This pain may be because of the power of darkness caused by evil forces or absence of Light (Jesus).
Colossians 1:13 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Matt 8:12 - 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
(DG) The darkness of the fifth bowl is a preview of Hell itself, which is described by Jesus as the outer darkness (Matthew 25:30). Those under the judgment of this fifth bowl stand, as it were, on the shores of the lake of fire.
It also means that the beast/Antichrist Kingdom is fallen, completely taken over by evil, completely darkened no good in it.
The Antichrist kingdom is always in darkness. Due to little portion of light shared by God they have survived thus far. Now the Antichrist kingdom become full of darkness so he could not proceed further with his power.
What portion of the kingdom of the beast get affected?
10b and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain
Now the focus narrows down to the source of the problem or the problem creator i.e. the beast/Antichrist thrown and his kingdom
Physical darkness affected the entire kingdom of the beast/Antichrist. This may not include other Kingdoms under him.
Power of darkness occupied the entire kingdom of the beast/Antichrist. This may include other Kingdoms under him.
Who did get affected in this judgment?
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
Physical darkness affected the beast/Antichrist, False Prophet and people under him. This may not include other Kingdoms and people under him.
Power of darkness occupied the beast/Antichrist, False Prophet and people under him. This may include other Kingdoms and people under him.
What type of pain they go through when the beast/Antichrist kingdom falls? or How this could affect those who live during that time?
It causes them depression, high/low blood pressure, starvation, thirst,....
Their political disaster (issues between kings under him). They are unrest. There is no peace within them. Internal politics vehemently increase because things are not happening as per their desire or as per the Antichrist.
Rev 17:16 - 15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
Financial disaster (stock market crash,..). They do all their efforts to create job, live luxuriously but it is not happening as per their expectation.
Famine (no water, no vegetables, no fish,...)
Everything is falling apart.
(JC) The seat of Antichrist’s government is Babylon—te city constructed on the same site as the tower of Babel. “We don’t need God. We’ll build a tower, study the stars, and let our horoscopes run our lives,” declared Nimrod and his fellow inhabitants of Babel. At the tower of Babel, men’s tongues were affected in that they no longer spoke the same language. In the city of Babylon, men’s tongues will again be affected when they are gnawed as a result of pain.
What is their response?
11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Whose fault is this for all the failures?
Everything is falling apart so he need to blame some one otherwise it become the Antichrist fault.
Even though it is the Antichrist fault but he blames God by blaspheming the God of heaven for all their heart aces, and plagues.
You can notice his next steps in the next plague.
Does this plagues bring repentance to their heart?
Application:
What you have done when you have faced big tragedy, big trial or spiritual darkness in your life?
Have you faced anything like that in your life? or What will you do when you face unexpected trials like these in your life?
Did you upset with God, cursed or blasphemed God?
Did you seek worldly counsel or Godly counsel?
Did you questioned God "Why it is happening?"?
Did you questioned God "How to handle or overcome?"?
What we need to do in that situation?
Seek God's help. God is our refuge.
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Is it possible to seek God or go to God during that situation if we haven't experience the love and power of God before that?
No. We need to experience and know God in deeper level when things are go smooth or when everything goes normal.
So that when the trial comes we long for that peace and slowly go to God and plead to God for that peace that surpasses our understanding.
Phil 4:6-7 - 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What steps are you taking now to experience the God's Love in your life?
Rebel with God for a brief period or moment and where shall I go only way for me is going to the thrown of grace ask many questions and cry with broken heart. Surely our God the Father will pour out the peace and Love upon us and comfort us.
We need to practice to go to God immediately without delay like David often does.
What steps are you taking now to develop the love relationship with God in your life?
We need to practice to go to God immediately and deveop the relationship.
Read What really makes the believers not to blaspheme God even when they go through difficult trial/persecution? or What really bonds the believer with Jesus Christ?
Jude 21 - 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Sixth Bowl Judgment
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Observation:
Where did the sixth angel poured out his bowl?
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates,
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
12b and its water was dried up,
Why the water in great river Euphrates dried up?
12c so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
What John saw next? How they look like?
13a And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs
Where these unclean spirits are coming from?
13b coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
What spirits are these?
14a For they are spirits of demons,
What did these spirits perform?
14b performing signs,
To whom these spirits perform these signs?
14c which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world,
Why did these spirits perform these signs?
14d to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Where these spirits gathered the kings of the whole world?
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
What John hearing from our Lord Jesus Christ?
15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
Part I - Interpretation:
Where did the sixth angel poured out his bowl?
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates,
Where is the great river Euphrates?
This great river Euphrates originates from eastern Turkey. It flows through Syria and Iraq to join the Tigris in the Shatt al-Arab, which empties into the Persian Gulf.
Israel is on the east and Iran is on the west of this great river Euphrates.
In Greek it is Euphrates and it means “sweet water”. Hebrew: פרת: Prat, Arabic: الفرات: al-Furāt, Turkish: Fırat, Persian cuneiform, Ufratush, Assyrian, Purat
The river Euphrates is the longest in Western Asia. It is approximately 1,740 miles long. It is anywhere from 900 to 3600 feet wide. (FYI: 1 Mile = 5280 Feet, 0.17-0.68 mil
The Euphrates receives most of its water in the form of rainfall and melting snow, resulting in peak volumes during the months April–May.
From its source in the Armenian mountains to the Persian Gulf, into which it empties itself, it has a course of about 1,700 miles.
It has two sources,
the Frat or Kara-su (i.e., “the black river”), which rises 25 miles northeast of Erzeroum; and
the Muradchai (i.e., “the river of desire”), which rises near Ararat, on the northern slope of Ala-tagh.
Mount Ararat is one of the source for the source for the river Euphrates and Tigris.
The Mountains of Ararat (Biblical Hebrew הָרֵי אֲרָרָט, Tiberian hārēy Ǎrārāṭ, Septuagint: τὰ ὄρη τὰ Ἀραράτ) is the place named in the Book of Genesis where Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood (Genesis 8:4).
Mount Ararat (see below details on names) is a snow-capped, dormant volcanic cone in Turkey. It has two peaks: Greater Ararat (the tallest peak in Turkey, and the entire Armenian plateau with an elevation of 5,137 m/16,854 ft) and Lesser Ararat (with an elevation of 3,896 m/12,782 ft).
At Kebban Maden, 400 miles from the source of the former, and 270 from that of the latter, they meet and form the majestic stream, which is at length joined by the Tigris at Koornah, after which it is called Shat-el-Arab, which runs in a deep and broad stream for above 140 miles to the sea. It is estimated that the alluvium brought down by these rivers encroaches on the sea at the rate of about one mile in thirty years
It is one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia.
(DG) The Romans considered the Euphrates River a secure barrier against invasion from the empires of the east.
Where in the Bible this river Euphrates mentioned first?
The Euphrates is first mentioned in Gen. 2:14 as one of the rivers of Garden of Eden.
Genesis 2:14 - The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
Where in the Book of Revelation this river Euphrates mentioned first?
This river Euphrates was mentioned first in Revelation, when the sixth trumpet sounded (Rev. 9:14) and the angels were loosed who were bound therein. At that time, an army of demonic horsemen was also released.
Rev 9:13,14 - 13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.
What are the few major incidents happened near or around this river Euphrates which are referred in the Bible?
Just as the Nile represented in prophecy the power of Egypt, so the Euphrates represented the Assyrian power (Isa. 8:7; Jer. 2:18).
It is generally called in the Bible simply “the river” (Ex. 23:31), or “the great river” (Deut. 1:7).
At the time of Abraham, it was the boundary of the kingdom to the northeast.
In the ancient history of Assyria, and Babylon, and Egypt many events are recorded in which mention is made of the “great river.”
The post-Flood river is first mentioned in connection with the covenant which God entered into with Abraham (Gen 15:18),
Genesis 15:18 - On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates
God reminds His promise again to His descendants the land from the river of Egypt (Niles) to the river Euphrates (compare Deut. 11:24; Josh. 1:4),
Deuteronomy 11:24 - Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea, shall be your territory.
Joshua 1:4 - From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
In the past it is partially fulfilled for brief period of time:
(Morris) “For a very brief time, under Solomon (1 Kings 8:65) and possibly again under Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:25), the children of Israel ruled all this territory, as a token of the final and permanent possession they will have in the future.”
1 Kings 8:65 - At that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt, before the Lord our God, seven days and seven more days--fourteen days.
2 Kings 14:25 - (Jeroboam II) He restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher
God will fulfill this during His millennial reign (Rev 20:4-6; Ezekiel 47:13 - 48:29).
What is the outcome/Result of this judgment?
12b and its water was dried up,
What God used to dry up the river Euphrates?
Nothing but the Word that proceeds from the mouth of our God.
Read What God used to make these men to have this painful sores? for more details.
What portion of the river Euphrates dried up?
Entire river Euphrates dried up.
Is the river Euphrates has water in it?
Already due to third bowl judgment the waters and springs are become blood.
Rev 16:4 - Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
Same Greek: hydōr Strong's 5204 is used in both the verses for water.
Either this Euphrates river has bloody water or during the third plague this river alone has been spared so it has water.
It is not a big deal but the point is the river is dried up.
Why the water in great river Euphrates dried up?
12c so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
Is this judgment really harmed/affected any one physically? or Who did get affected in this judgment?
If this river has water now all people who are using this water are affected by this plague.
This judgment open up ways to gather all the kings from east of Israel.
Who are the kings of the earth at present in the east of the river Euphrates? or What countries are there in the east of the river Euphrates?
(DG) If the Euphrates were dried up and made a road, massive armies from the east (nations such as China, India, and Japan) could move westward with ease.
"the east" - in Greek anatolē Strong's 395. It means a rising (of the sun and stars), the east (the direction of the sun's rising) .
(JC) The phrase translated “kings of the east” is literally “kings of the rising sun” in the original text. The “land of the rising sun” traditionally and historically referring to both Japan and China.
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Japan...
What John saw next? How they look like?
13a And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs
(DG) The spirits are like frogs in form. The ancient Jewish people regarded frogs as unclean and repulsive, but the Egyptians revered a frog-goddess.
Where these unclean spirits are coming from?
13b coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Who are these?
dragon -> Satan - Rev 12:9
the beast -> the Antichrist - Rev 13:1-3
the false prophet -> the 2nd beast - Rev 13:11; 19:20; 20:10
(Swete) “Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth.”
What spirits are these?
14a For they are spirits of demons,
What does these spirits perform?
14b performing signs,
To whom these spirits perform these signs?
14c which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world,
Not only the Kings of the east but kings of the whole world.
(DG) Again, signs and wonders are used by demons as tools of deception.
Which judgment/plague similar to this?
There is no direct parallel here to any of the plagues of Egypt. However, once they started the Exodus, Pharaoh army followed them and try to attack them and God protected them and destroyed the army while they cross the Red sea (Exodus 14:1-31). Here a small portion of Red sea was dried up.
This is similar to 6th trumpet judgment
Rev 9:13-21 - 13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.
16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed--by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Do they really need this way in this modern world? Why?
Yes.
What way this 6th trumpet judgment relates to this 6th bowl judgment?
The River Euphrates, four evil angels/evil spirits/demons, 200 million army.
Is the 200 million army in the 6th trumpet judgment is real army by human beings?
As we discussed in How these four angels kill a third of mankind? (notes of Rev 9:16-19) these are literal 200 million strong army.
As per the China's claim of having 200 million army majority of this army is from China and minority from other kings/kingdom/countries.
Those four evil spirits/demons possessed these 200 million human army so they look wired and did abnormal things.
Is this 200 million army in the 6th trumpet judgment still exist during this 6th bowl judgment?
They killed 1/3rd of population during the 6th trumpet judgment but not killed themselves so they must be alive at this time.
(JC) The phrase translated “kings of the east” is literally “kings of the rising sun” in the original text. The “land of the rising sun” traditionally and historically referring to both Japan and China, the pieces of the puzzle of prophecy begin to fall into place—for the technology of Japan and the sheer manpower of China could easily produce the two-hundred-million-man army prophesied in Revelation 9:14–16.
Why would China want to go to war? China has a problem: One and one-half billion people—that is, one of every four people on earth—will live in China. To address this situation, the Chinese government imposed a fifteen-year prison sentence on couples with more than a single child. As a result, due to the massive abortion of baby girls, sending their boys to war could be seen differently.
This 200 million army needs way to pass through the dried river Euphrates to Israel. Due to huge army they cannot fly. Also there may be fly zone restrictions. They may be landing in neighboring countries such as Iran which is east or Euphrates.
Application:
What are all things these evils spirits can do to non-believers?
Evil Spirit can entice/inspire non-believers:
Lying spirit lead Ahab to battle:
NIV: 1 Kings 22:19-23 - 17 Then Micaiah answered, "I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, 'These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.' " 18 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?" 19 Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' "One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' 22 " 'By what means?' the LORD asked. " 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said. " 'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.' 23 "So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you." 24 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. "Which way did the spirit from the LORD go when he went from me to speak to you?" he asked. 25 Micaiah replied, "You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room." 26 The king of Israel then ordered, "Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king's son 27 and say, 'This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.' " 28 But Micaiah said, "If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me." And he said, "Take heed, all you people!" 29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.
NIV: 1 Kings 22:34-37 - 34 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, "Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I've been wounded." 35 All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. 36 As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army: "Every man to his town; everyone to his land!" 37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there.
Unclean spirits/demons inspired the kings of the world:
Rev 16:13-14 - 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Evil Spirits/Satan/Demons knows God, Jesus and His true followers:
Matt 8:29 - 28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." 32 And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
Acts 19:15 - 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Acts 16"16-19 - 16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination (foretell future events) met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
Evil Spirits/Satan/Demons can keep physically sick or attack the non-believers:
Acts 19:15,16 - 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Matthew 12:22 - Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
Evil Spirits/Satan/Demons can posses/enter into humans/reside with in non-believers:
Judas Iscariot was possessed by Satan
John 13:27 - Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly
Mary called Magdalene had seven demons:
Luke 8:2 - and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
Legion had unclean spirits:
Luke 8:27-33 - 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
NLT: Luke 8:29 - For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was shackled with chains, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon's power.
NLT: Luke 8:39 - "No, go back to your family and tell them all the wonderful things God has done for you." So he went all through the city telling about the great thing Jesus had done for him.
The Beast/Antichrist possessed by Satan himself (Rev 13).
Evil Spirits/Satan/Demons will deceive:
Rev 12:9 - So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 13:12-14 - 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
Rev 16:14 - 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Evil Spirits/Satan/Demons can appear like Angel of light:
2 Corinthians 11:14 - And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Evil Spirits/Satan/Demons has blinds the spiritual eyes:
2 Cor 4:4 - 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
Evil Spirits/Satan/Demons will destroy:
John 10:10 - The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
You can see this Rev 13; 16-19; 20:7-10;
Medium/Witches can tap the spirit world. Origin for Yoga is to tap the spirit world and gain evil power because it cannot tap the Holy Spirit but can evil spirit:
1 Samuel 28:7 - 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." 9 Then the woman said to him, "Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" 10 And Saul swore to her by the Lord, saying, "As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." 11 Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me." 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!" 13 And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What did you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth." 14 So he said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. 15 Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do." 16 Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? 17 And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."
1 Chronicles 10:13 - So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.
What are all things these evils spirits can do to believers in Christ?
Satan/Evil Spirits/Demons cannot touch/possess the believers in Christ:
Col 2:15 - Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
NLT: Col 2:15 - In this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ.
John 16:11 - 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
John 14:16 - 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Satan/Evil Spirits/Demons keep trying to deceive believers through schemes and tricks:
Eph 6:11,12 - 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (NIV: Schemes, NLT: Tricks) of the devil.
According to Numbers 22-25 and 31, Balaam combined the sins of immorality and idolatry to please Balak, the king of Moab, because he could not curse Israel directly.
When Balaam counseled Balak, he taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel.
The stumbling block was connected with idolatry (to eat things sacrificed to idols) and sexual immorality.
Satan/Evil Spirits/Demons bring fear through threat or persecution:
Luke 22:31-32 - 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Satan/Evil Spirits/Demons bring old memories to remembrance (even through in a dream) to entice/inspire you to backslide and live in sin.
Satan/Evil Spirits/Demons looking to devour the believers through schemes and tricks.
Draw near to God and resist the devil and he will flee:
1 Peter 5:8-9 - 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
James 4:7 - 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Eph 6:10-18 - 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
Luke 4:1-7 - 1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' "5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' 11 "and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' " 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Rebuke the Satan/Evil Spirits/Demons if Holy Spirit leads.
Acts 13:10 - 6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Acts 16:18 - 16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
Warning: Acts 19:16 - 11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
Allow God to rebuke him if Holy Spirit didn't lead you to rebuke then . He is always available to help us.
Zec 3:2 - 1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
Jude 9 - Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
John 17:15 - (Jesus) I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
Luke 22:31-32 - 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Rev 3:9 - Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Part II- Interpretation:
Where these spirits gathered the kings?
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Where is the place Armageddon located?
Armageddon from Hebrew: הַר מְגִדּוֹ, Har Megiddo, lit. Mount Megiddo; Ancient Greek: Ἁρμαγεδών Harmagedōn, Late Latin: Armagedōn is, according to the Bible, the site of a battle during the end times.
(WW) The name Armageddon comes from two Hebrew words, har Megiddo, the hill of Megiddo.
This place Armageddon (Har Megiddo) is 135km / 85 miles North of Jerusalem
(WW) The word Megiddo means "place of troops" or "place of slaughter." It is also called the Plain of Esdraelon and the Valley of Jezreel.
(WW) We often speak of "the battle of Armageddon," but nowhere does the Bible use that phrase. On September 2. 1945, when General Douglas MacArthur supervised signing the peace treaty with Japan, he said: "We have had our last chance. If we will not devise something greater and more equitable [than war], Armageddon will be at our door."
Megiddo is mentioned twelve times in the Old Testament, ten times in reference to the ancient city of Megiddo, and twice with reference to "the plain of Megiddo", most probably simply meaning "the plain next to the city".
(WW) It was on this plain that Barak defeated the armies of Canaan (Jud. 5:19)). Gideon met the Midianites there (Jud. 7) and it was there that King Saul lost his life (1 Sam. 31).
(DG) Megiddo is in a region frequently associated with decisive battles: Deborah over Sisera (Judges 5:19); Gideon over the Midianites (Judges 7); Pharaoh over Josiah (2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22). It is also a place of end-times mourning (Zechariah 12:11).
(WW) The area is about fourteen miles wide and twenty miles long, and forms what Napoleon called "the most natural battlefield of the whole earth." Standing on Mount Cannel and overlooking that, great plain, you can well understand why it would be used for gathering the armies of the nations.
(WW) Titus and the Roman army used this natural corridor, as did the Crusaders in the Middle Ages. British General Allenby used it when he defeated the Turkish armies in 1917.
(DG) The vast Valley of Megiddo has seen tremendous battles through the centuries. Over 200 battles have been fought in the region, from 1468 b.c. (with Pharaoh Tuthmosis III) to 1917 (with Lord Allenby of the British).
Zechariah 12:11 - 10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. 11 In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves; 14 all the families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves
How these spirits gathered the kings to Armageddon?
(DG) These demons are like the “lying spirit” who led Ahab into battle (1 Kings 22:19-23).
(JC) As the Tribulation nears its end, three frog like demons croak, “GotoMegiddo, GotoMegiddo,” in the ears of world leaders. It’s a demonically induced suggestion because Satan is actually orchestrating the entire scenario.
Why did these spirits perform these signs?
14d to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
(DG) Why do these armies come? Is it to wipe out Israel? Is it to rebel against a European-based world leader (the Antichrist)?
Ultimately, they come to do battle against God and His Messiah (Psalm 2).
This battle is not nation against nation, but the nations against God (Psalm 2:2). This is one of three important battles mentioned in prophecy.
The battle of Gog, Magog and her allies come against Israel (Ezekiel 38 and 39).
The battle of Armageddon, when the Antichrist leads the world system against a returning Jesus (Revelation 17:12-16, 17:14, 19:19).
The final battle, when Satan and his allies, after the millennium, make war against God (Revelation 20:7-10).
(WW) Wow, an army from the nations of the world gathers for the great battle at Armageddon. The drying up of the river will make it possible for the army of the "kings of the East'' to come to Palestine and invade the Holy Land.
What is the outcome of this battle?
14d to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Rev 17:14 - These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."
Rev 19:21 - 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
(DG) The winner of this battle is apparent. It is the great day of God, not the great day of man, not the great day of the Antichrist, not the great day of the dragon.
(WW) The outcome of the "battle" is recorded in Revelation 19; the Lord returns and defeats His enemies. Obviously, the assembling and marching armies create no problem, for Almighty God. When the nations rage and deny Him, "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure" (Ps. 2:4-5).
(WW) From a human viewpoint, it appears that the armies of the nations are gathering on their own; but John makes it clear that the military movement is according to God's plan. The satanic trinity, through demonic powers, will influence the nations and cause the rulers to assemble their armies. They will even work miracles that will impress the rulers and cause them to cooperate. But all this will merely fulfill the will of God and accomplish His purposes (see Rev. 17:17). The Gentile nations will look on Armageddon as a battle, but to God it will be only a "supper" for the fowls of the air (Rev. 19:17-21).
(WW) Zechariah 12 and 14 describe this event from Israel's point of view. Since "the beast" has set up his image in the temple at Jerusalem, and since many of the Jews will not bow down to him, it is natural that the Holy City should be the object of attack. However, not only the Jews are involved: for God has a purpose for the Gentile nations as well. Joel 3:9-21 parallels the Zechariah references, and Joel 3:19 makes clear that God will punish the Gentiles for the way they have treated the Jews (see also Isa. 24; Zeph. 3:8ff).
Zechariah 14:3-9 - 1 Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with You. 6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the Lord-- Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. 8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be-- "The Lord is one," And His name one.
When the battle of Armageddon will happen?
This 6th bowl judgment is a preparation for the battle of Armageddon. This will actually happen as the part of the 7th bowl judgment on the day of Jesus 2nd coming as given in Rev 19:15,19-21.
Rev 19:15,19-21 -11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Application:
Is it ok to rebel against God?
NO. It is sin and trespass/transgression.
When anyone will rebel against God or authorities?
It is natural to everyone to go on their own way. If anyone even God comes against their way then they will rebel if they didn't trust/consider them or God as greater/wiser than them.
1 Sam 15:23,24 - 22 So Samuel said: "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king." 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
Isaiah 30:1 - "Woe to the rebellious children," says the Lord, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;
NLT: Isaiah 30:1 - "Destruction is certain for my rebellious children," says the LORD. "You make plans that are contrary to my will. You weave a web of plans that are not from my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.
Joshua 22:18 - but that you must turn away this day from following the Lord? And it shall be, if you rebel today against the Lord, that tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.
Psalm 66:7 - (God) He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves
Quit trying to go as per your desire/direction when God leads to different direction:
Luke 9:23 - Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Gal 5:16,17 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Part III- Interpretation:
What John hearing from our Lord Jesus Christ?
15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
What this message really conveying in the middle of this battle gathering?
(DG) In the midst of the description of the coming battle, there is a warning to be prepared in light of Jesus’ assured victory.
(WW) The admonition in Revelation 16:15 applies to us all: "Behold. I [Jesus] come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Jesus Christ may return at any time, and it behooves us to keep our lives clean, to watch, and to be faithful.
How many blessings are there in the book of Revelation?
There are 7 blessings in the book of Revelation.
This is third of seven blessings.
Read List all Blessings in the Book of Revelation for more blessings.
What it means that Jesus Christ is coming as a thief?
15a "Behold, I am coming as a thief.
Rev 3:3 - Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
1 Thessalonians 5:2,4 - 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
2 Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
It means that we do not know the time of Jesus secrete coming to rapture the believers in Christ to heaven and the 2nd coming.
Mat 24:36,37,43,44 - 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
NLT: Revelation 16:15a - "Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed."
NLT: 1 Thessalonians 5:2,4 - 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, "All is well; everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall upon them as suddenly as a woman's birth pains begin when her child is about to be born. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
What this garment really means here?
Garments biblically means righteousness.
It includes both God's righteousness and our practical righteousness.
To enter into the heaven we need God's Righteousness.
(DG) Garments are pictures of spiritual and practical righteousness.
Is this garment made/earned by yourself?
Did you earn the God's Righteousness?
No.
Putting all our efforts to earn God's righteousness is filthy rags. It is impossible to earn the God's righteousness by keeping the laws of God.
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
(DG) Above all, we must not be “naked” - that is, without a covering, or trying to provide our own covering like Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:7), which is like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6).
Gen 3:7 - Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Rev 3:17 - Because you (Laodiceans) say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
Is this garment obtained/got as a gift?
How do you obtain the God's righteousness?
We can obtain the God's Righteousness as a free gift by believing in Jesus. So, that Jesus will justify us before God the Father.
Isaiah 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels
Romans 3:20-24 - 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Gen 3:21 - Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
Eph 2:8,9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Without this garment or God's Righteousness no one can enter/sneak in to the heaven:
Matt 22:11-13 - 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
Does "keeps his garments" means Keep the garment ready?
May be.
NLT: Revelation 16:15 - "Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed."
Does "keeps his garments" means to protect/guard his garments safely?
May be.
GNT: Revelation 16:15 - Good News Translation "Listen! I am coming like a thief! Happy is he who stays awake and guards his clothes, so that he will not walk around naked and be ashamed in public!"
Does "keeps his garments" mean keeps his garments/cloths clean/undefiled?
May be.
Rev 3:3-5 - 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Is Jesus talking about external or internal cleanliness?
Jesus always sees our heart/internal cleanliness.
Matt 15:11 - 10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
Matt 15:18-20 - 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
It means keeping our hearts clean/pure. It means not to defile ourselves.
Jude 23 - 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Heb 12:14-15 - 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Is there any more interpretation?
Let us take a close look at the verse again.
15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
When he is blessed?
15b Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments,
He is blessed when he watches, and keeps his garments/cloths/robe when Jesus come unexpectedly as a thief.
When he is not blessed?
He is not blessed when he not watches, and not keeps his garments/cloths/robe when Jesus come unexpectedly as a thief.
Who will walk naked?
15c lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
Believers in Christ who did not watch for Jesus coming and not keeps wearing his garments/cloths/robe.
Who will see their shame?
Non-believers who has the mark of the beast.
What "keeps his garments" really means?
When will a person walk naked?
When that person not wearing any garments.
So, here "keeps his garments" really means "keeps wearing garments/cloths"
You can notice this in 1st Blessing in Revelation 1:3.
Revelation 1:3 - Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
He is blessed when he watches, and keeps wearing his garments/cloths/robe when Jesus come unexpectedly as a thief.
Application:
What it means keep wearing his garments/cloths/robe of God's Righteousness?
Receive God's Righteousness by Faith and continue in your Faith to maintain God's Righteousness.
NLT: Romans 1:17 - This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."
NIV: Gal 3:27 - 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Gal 3:3 - 1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
How to keep wearing that garments or God given Righteousness daily?
(DG) Garments are pictures of spiritual and practical righteousness. We are given the righteousness of Jesus as a garment (Galatians 3:27), but we are also called to “put on” the nature of Jesus in terms of practical holiness (Ephesians 4:20-24).
Ephesians 4:20-24 - 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Eph 5:18 - 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
NLT: Gal 5:24,25 - 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Are you wearing God given garment daily? or Are you filled with Holy Spirit continuously?
Are you ready to face our Lord Jesus when He comes back?
Seventh Bowl Judgment
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.
Observation:
Where did the seventh angel poured out his bowl?
17a Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,
Where did the loud voice come from?
17b and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne,
What did the loud voice say?
17c saying, "It is done!"
What is the outcome/result of this judgment?
18a And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake,
21a And great hail from heaven fell upon men,|
21b each hailstone about the weight of a talent.
What is the response of the men?
21c Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail
How intense was this judgment?
18b such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.
21d since that plague was exceedingly great.
What this great earthquake caused? or What is the outcome/result of this great earthquake?
19a Now the great city was divided into three parts,
19b and the cities of the nations fell.
19c 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.
Interpretation:
Where did the seventh angel poured out his bowl?
17a Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,
What God used here for this judgment?
Air.
Why the Angels poured out the bowl into the air? or Why God poured out His wrath into the air?
We may not know but based on Eph 2:2 God may be pouring His wrath on the "price of the air" Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet and 10 kings who rules the entire world at that time.
Eph 2:2 - 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
(WW) The devil is "the prince of the power of the air.'" so perhaps this seventh vial has a special effect on his dominion (Eph. 2:2).
(DG) The fact that the bowl is poured into the air may show judgment against the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and his allies.
Read Do you know why God used Sun to scorch the men with great heat instead of His word from His mouth? topic.
Read What God used to make these men to have this painful sores? for more details.
Where did the loud voice come from?
17b and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne,
What did the loud voice say?
17c saying, "It is done!"
Whose voice is this?
The loud/great voice started these judgments/plagues/wrath of God ends now with "It is done".
Rev 16:1 - Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."
This always reminds Jesus last words in the cross "It is finished!" (John 19:30).
Based on this verse Jesus is announcing this from His throne in the temple.
He do not want to come out of temple to see all these to announce because He is omnipresent (everywhere) God. He can see everything from His throne. Also in Rev 10:7 Jesus announces "the mystery of God would be finished".
This we have already gone through in detail in Rev 1:1 notes under Whose voice is this? topic.
What is the outcome/result of this judgment?
18a And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake,
21a And great hail from heaven fell upon men,
21b each hailstone about the weight of a talent.
More details are covered in What this great earthquake caused? or What is the outcome/result of this great earthquake?
What is the response of the men? Why?
21c Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail
Does this plague bring repentance to their heart?
No. Read Does these plagues bring repentance to their heart?, What really makes the people to repent and believe in Jesus? for more details.
(Spurgeon) Despite all their suffering, many still will not repent. “I have known people say, ‘Well, if I were afflicted I might be converted. If I lay sick I might be saved.’ Oh, do not think so.
Sickness and sorrow of themselves are no helps to salvation.
Pain and poverty are not evangelists;
disease and despair are not apostles.
Look at the lost in hell. Suffering has effected no good in them. He that was filthy here is filthy there. He that was unjust in this life is unjust in the life to come. There is nothing in pain and suffering that, by their own natural operation, will tend to purification.”
How intense was this judgment?
18b such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.
19c And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
21d since that plague was exceedingly great.
(DG) In these final judgments, God shakes the earth with a tremendous earthquake. The same is promises in Hebrews 12:26: Now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Yet, what cannot be shaken will remain.
(DG) Here, it is enough to say that God gives her the cup of the wine of the fierceness (the ancient Greek word thymos, describing a passionate outburst of anger) of His wrath (the ancient Greek word orge, describing a standing state of anger).
(Walvoord) “The combination of thymos and orge connotes the strongest kind of outpouring of divine judgment.”
For more details read The Wrath of God article.
(DG) Giant hailstones fall, weighing up to 100 pounds. Men respond in utter, unrepentant depravity (men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail).
Hail is frequently a tool of judgment against God’s enemies, as seen against Egypt (Exodus 9:24), the Canaanites (Joshua 10:11), apostate Israel (Isaiah 28:2), and Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:22).
In each of these instances, hail rained down from heaven as a tool of judgment, not as a corrective chastisement of God’s own children.
(WW) The earth-dwellers will not repent: in fact, they will blaspheme God! No wonder the hail comes, for blasphemers are supposed to be stoned to death (Lev. 24:16).
What this great earthquake caused? or What is the outcome/result of this great earthquake?
19a Now the great city was divided into three parts,
19b and the cities of the nations fell.
19c 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.
What is the first main event happens in this judgment?
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.
This Seventh bowl judgment kick start the climax of the Great Tribulation. It starts with fall of the great Babylon.
Rev 14:8 - And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
Many more events will accompany with this. These are listed below in List all the events in the order in which it happens in this 7th bowl Judgment with reference.
When the fall of the great Babylon will happen?/a> or When God will Judge the great Babylon?
The fall of the great Babylon will happen just before the battle of Armageddon. As we discussed in 6th bowl judgment under topic When the battle of Armageddon will happen?, it will happen on the day of Jesus 2nd coming as given in Rev 19:15,19-21.
Rev 16:14,16 - 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty......... 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Rev 19:19-21 - 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Is the "great city" and the "great Babylon" are the same?
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.
Based on Rev 11:8 Great city here may represent Jerusalem:
Rev 11:8 - And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
(WW) The "great city" (Rev. 16:19) is probably Jerusalem (see Rev. 11:8). The Prophet Zechariah prophesied an earthquake that would change the topography of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:4).
Prophesy in Zech 14:4 fulfills on the day Jesus 2nd coming. On that day Jesus lands His feet on the Mount of Olives and it will split in two. Immediately the battle of Armageddon starts and Jesus end by the sword coming out of His mouth as in Rev 19:21.
Zechariah 14:4 - 1 Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
Rev 19:21 - And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
As we saw earlier under When the fall of the great Babylon will happen? topic the fall of great Babylon happen just before the battle of Armageddon. So, the great city here is not Jerusalem.
Based on Rev 14:8 this great city here refers to the great Babylon.
Rev 14:8 - And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
Rev 17:18 - And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
(DG) The fall of Babylon (the great city) is more explicitly described in Revelation 17 and 18.
So, both the "great city" and the "great Babylon" are the same.
You can also note this in NLT 2007 version
NLT(2007): Rev 16:19 - The great city of Babylon split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins, and he made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his fierce wrath.
What portion of the earth affected here?
19a Now the great city was divided into three parts,
19b and the cities of the nations fell.
19c 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.
Entire portion of the earth get affected in this judgment/plague and especially the great Babylon area is the main focus/target/epicenter.
Which judgment/plague similar to this?
(WW) This judgment is reminiscent of the seventh plague in Egypt (Ex. 9:22-26). Just as Pharaoh and the Egyptian leaders did not repent, so the earth-dwellers will not repent.
Seventh trumpet judgment kick start the second face (2nd 3.5 years of last 7 year period) of the Great Tribulation. This explained in detail in Rev 11:15 - Rev 19. It also summarizes the list events yet to happen in Rev 11:18
Rev 11:18 - The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."
Sixth Seal Judgment summarized these events and it is eventually fulfilled through this judgment.
In other words Sixth Seal Judgment summarized all further judgments.
Rev 6:12-17 - 12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Sixth Seal Judgment kick start the seventh seal judgment which in turn starts the trumpet judgments and bowl judgments.
In short Sixth judgment is explained in detail in Rev 7 - Rev 19.
What are all the main events happens in this 7th bowl judgment? or List all the events in the order in which it happens in this 7th bowl Judgment with reference:
Same way as in Six Seal and Seventh Trumpet judgments this Seventh bowl judgment summarizes/lists all the wraths of God yet to happen from this point onwards.
Also as per Rev 16:17 God's wrath is done with this 7th bowl judgment. So it covers all the judgments yet to happen from this point onwards.
* Rev 16:17 - 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!"
Fall of Great Babylon: This judgment clearly explained in detail in Rev 17 and Rev 18.
Rev 17:1 - Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,
Rev 17:18 - And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
Rev 18:5 - 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.
(DG) The fall of Babylon is more explicitly described in Revelation 17 and 18.
(WW) The key idea here is that Babylon would fall (see Jer. 50-51). "The beast's" great economic system, which subjugated the people of the world, would be completely destroyed by God.
Sixth Seal judgment summary/briefing/prophesy will be fulfilled here.
Here sky opens as scroll and people and kings will see Jesus in throne and hide as in Rev 6:12-17
Rev 6:12-17 - 12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
The Battle of Armageddon: Even though they knew they cannot win and face Jesus but still due to their stubbornness and Satan, Antichrist and false prophet's influence they gathered to fight with Jesus as given in Rev 16:12-16; Rev 19:15,19-21.
Rev 16:14,16 - 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty......... 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Rev 9:16 - Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
Rev 19:15 - Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Rev 19:19-21 - 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Rev 14:20 - And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs..
The Final Judgment:
Last two items in Seventh trumpet judgment summary will be fulfilled here.
Rev 11:18 - The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."
First item in Seventh trumpet judgment summary will be fulfilled later on The Final Judgment:
This happens after Jesus 2nd coming and His 1000 year millennial reign in this earth as given in Rev 20:7-15.
Rev 20:7-15 - 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:4 - 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Summary:
(DG) We might say that Revelation 16 is a “great” chapter.
It describes great evil: a great city, great Babylon (Revelation 16:19).
It describes great tools of judgment: great heat (Revelation 16:9), a great river dried up (Revelation 16:12), a great earthquake (Revelation 16:18), great hail and great plagues (Revelation 16:21).
It describes the great God: His great voice (loud is the same Greek word for great; Revelation 16:1,17), and His great day of victory (Revelation 16:14).
Application:
(WW) Reviewing these three chapters (Rev 14-16), we see the encouragement they give to suffering Christians. The sealed 144.000 will arrive on Mount Zion and praise God (Rev. 14:1-5). The martyrs will also be in glory, praising God (Rev. 15:1-4). John's message is clear: it is possible to be victorious over "the beast" and be an overcomer!
Movements of armies, confederations of nations, and worldwide opposition to God cannot hinder the Lord from fulfilling His Word and achieving His purposes. Men think they are free to do as they please, but in reality, they are accomplishing the plans and purposes of God!
Every generation of Christians has been able to identify with the events in Revelation 14-16. There has always been a "beast" to oppress God's people and a false prophet to try to lead them astray. We have always been on the verge of an "Armageddon" as the nations wage war.
But in the last days, these events will accelerate and the Bible's prophecies will be ultimately fulfilled. I believe the church will not be on the scene at that time, but both Jewish and Gentile believers will be living who will have to endure Antichrist's rule.
What one thing you learned from this chapter?
What really makes the people to repent and believe in Jesus?
Are we miss using the God's Grace?
What really makes this non-believers to blaspheme God? Why non-believers blasphemed God?
Here in Revelation 16:9,11,21 non-believers blaspheme God when they go through pain because they developed their hatred towards God instead of experience the Love of God.
Are we experiencing His Love continuously?
How to keep wearing that garments or God given Righteousness daily?
Are we walking by the Holy Spirit?