If it seems like evil people go unchecked in this world, read Revelation 16 to see what they have coming.
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Read the chapter in an outlined format
Previous DIG DEEPER posts on Revelation
Revelation 16 Summary
Chapters 15-16 contain the shortest of the seven perspectives of Christ's return, and I think that is by design. These bowls of wrath are God's final judgment. There is nothing more for Him to say or do. In all of the previous perspectives there have been some awful things for sure, but all of them either were warnings or came with warning, because it is always God's desire for people to repent.
It's hard not to feel sorry for those people who will experience the seven bowls of wrath. After all, we read that it was so terrible that people gnawed their tongues in agony (v10).
But before we paint God as being vindictive and petty, we must remember that God is being just. After you've read of God's wrath being poured out without mercy, re-read the pronouncements of God's justice in v5-7. Notice also that Jesus Himself seems to break into the narrative in v15, both reminding and warning you to stay vigilant.
Dig Deeper
As these seven bowls of wrath are poured out, John pauses three times to note that even in the midst of the awfulness, the sinners experiencing the agony were still too stubborn to repent and glorify God:
v9 - They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
v11 - People gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
v21 - And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Before you find yourself looking down upon these unrepentant people, remember that had not God given you His grace, you would be unrepentant and subject to His wrath as well.
AAA Prayer :
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: O Holy One, who is and who was (v5)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will stay awake, so that you are prepared when Jesus comes like a thief (v15)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
