READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l The punishment of God upon the world will be terrifying and inevitable – yet we have hope!
We will reflect on this fifth ‘Act’ in the dramatic story of Revelation by asking three questions, sub-divided into seven points:
- What is the judgement to come?
- Who is it for?
- What am I to do?
To understand the justice of God, let us picture a wise father punishing his dearly beloved child. There will be different perspectives on the situation as seen by the child, the onlookers and the father. Similarly, we see different perspectives as we consider God’s punishment upon the world.
In chapters 6–8, the seven seals represent the perspective of the suffering church (sounds of pain). In chapters 8–11, the seven trumpets show the perspective of the world (sounds of warning), and in chapters 15–16 the seven bowls illustrate the perspective from the Throne of God (sounds of righteousness).
1. What is the judgement to come?
Point 1: God’s judgement will come upon the earth and His wrath will be completed.
In Revelation 15:1 we read that “God’s wrath is completed”, and later John tells us that after the seventh angel has poured out his bowl, a loud voice was heard from the Throne, saying “It is done!” (16:17). We may think that God’s wrath has already fallen upon Jesus, but actually that was like a final warning.
This is the third time John saw something open, and the second time the temple was open. To recall: the first vision of the open temple was 11:19, revealing unseen spiritual battles. This second time, angels are allowed to step forth to carry out tasks. It uses imagery from Exodus and refers back to the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law, and the Ten Commandments housed in the Ark of the Covenant. Has humanity lived according to God’s moral laws as laid down in the Ten Commandments? No, it has not.
Point 2: God’s judgement is justified according to God’s standards laid out for humanity. God takes idolatry very seriously (it is the first commandment).
Point 3: God’s judgements are never meant for evil – they are about holiness punishing evil. This is a rejection of all that is unworthy and impure. It is not possible for God to do evil.
Point 4: God’s judgements are unstoppable. No angel or priest can hold back the hand of God!
When the trumpet and bowl judgements are looked at in detail, they can be compared to the plagues released in judgement upon Egypt in Exodus.
2. Who is the judgement for?
In Revelation 16, the seven angels, dressed in robes with a golden sash reflecting their holiness, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth.
Point 5: God’s judgement is aimed at the BEAST and those who follow him into IDOLATRY.
- First Angel – we can take comfort that God’s judgement is aimed at the beast and his followers. This reminds us of how God punished the Egyptians but spared the Hebrews in Exodus.
- Second and Third Angel – the bowls cause water to turn to blood, which brings to mind the Roman regime that killed the Christian martyrs, spilling much blood.
- Fourth and Fifth Angel – their bowls of wrath were poured on the throne of the beast and produced intense suffering. Despite the horrors, the people were so deep into idolatry that they cursed the name of God but would not repent. They still followed their own worldview and own gods. Hebrews 10:26–27 warns that Christians who deliberately and continually sin can reach this place of no return too. How can I know if I am in a precarious state of idolatry? Do I follow the gods of sex, money and power? I must search my heart carefully.
- Sixth Angel – the water in the Euphrates River dries up, preparing for armies from the east to come to attack the Romans.
John saw frogs coming from the mouths of the Evil Trinity. Frogs were used as images of deception, referring to Exodus 8:7. They have the ability to fool and influence the leaders of the world through the ages to follow the beast.
Verse 15 contains words from Jesus. He warns us to stay awake and remain clothed. Anyone who is deceived would be like Babylonian prostitutes – unclothed and shamefully lusting after the world.
All those deceived will be gathered at Armageddon. The image parallels Ezekiel 38-39, the battle of Gog, where God defeated all the nations who were rebellious.
- Seventh Angel – pours out his bowl and there is a severe earthquake. Huge, heavy hailstones fall on the people, thus completing the wrath of God. Evil is defeated totally and there is no battle, actually!
Point 6: God’s judgement against evil is horrible, total and complete. There will be no more chances… those who follow the beast are finished!
3. What am I to do?
Point 7: God’s judgement comes after many mercy warnings and opportunities for repentance – so REPENT!
As Christ’s disciples, we must not allow ourselves to be deceived by the world. Let us take heed, repent and be faithful. The disciples are God’s witness to the world that God’s mercy is upon humanity. We have hope!
This is a call to soften our hearts and turn to Jesus. Darrell Johnson says that there is no refuge FROM the judging of God, but there is refuge IN the judging God’s mercy. Let us take these prophetic warnings seriously and search our hearts carefully, asking for the Holy Spirit to reveal any deception and repent of all idolatry.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. Read 15:5-16:31 – Reflect on your thoughts on the images listed?
b. Read 15:1 and 16:16, what is common in these two verses that God is about to do as the last act on His people? (hint: “complete” / “finish”). Contrast the image of completion of those in Rev 15:2-4 vs those in Rev 16:19-21. Who do you think are those in 15:1 vs those in 16:21? - Recall Sermon
a. What does the temple represent? What is humanity judged against?
b. How did the people respond despite judgement? Can you relate to it?
c. Who is the judgement aimed at?
d. What does the judgement of God communicate?
e. What is the purpose of John revealing the judgement?
f. What does the frogs in 15:13-15 refer to and what will they do? - Relate Personally
a. There are 2 types of people, those who compromise vs those who are faithful – In what ways can you relate to the people in the passage?
b. There is a pattern of stubborn idolatry (like Exodus 7-11) – refuse to repent. How does this speak about our lives and those around? How are we to live or reach out to those who are “deceived” by the world? - Commit to Action
a. What do you think God is speaking to you through this passage? Are there any areas of “idolatry” (areas that you placed above God) that you need to repent from?
b. What does faithfulness to God look like for you?
c. Read 2 Peter 3:9 – How does this relate to our passage and who is someone you can reach-out to?
