(Revelation 16:1-4) Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”
2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood.
We notice that these final judgments are focused on those who took the mark of the beast. In case anyone thinks that these are far too harsh, one of God's holy angels - "the angel of the waters" - proclaims God's justice...
(Revelation 16:5-7) And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; 6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.” 7 And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
Then the last set of judgments continue...
(Revelation 16:8-12) The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. 9 Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, 11 and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.
From this we see:
- the first angel poured out his bowl on the earth (16:2)
- the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea (16:3)
- the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs (16:4)
- the angel of the waters, who could be the third angel or another angel, proclaims God's justice (16:5-6)
- the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun (16:8)
- the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast (16:10)
- the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the Euphrates river (16:12)
Personal experience: we know that those who take the mark of the beast deserve the judgments that they will receive. In fact, it will be poetic justice. They will have shed innocent blood, and so they will be made to drink it! And then instead of repenting, they will only curse God more.
We see this sort of thing happen now. Even in ourselves, at times. When someone points out an area where we can make some improvements - we become defensive, which can sometimes lead to spiteful comments to try to make ourselves feel better by making the other person look worse.
Interestingly, over the many years that I've been trained in and involved in the art world, I've learned to crave feedback and constructive criticism. I typically have a very professional attitude towards this, because I do want to produce the best work possible.
But when it comes to my personal behavior, and someone gives me "feedback" - it is difficult to not take this personally - because it is personal! Yet, at the same time, I do desire to be the best person I can be! Which can only happen with God's guidance and help! And at times, God uses other people!
Today's takeaway: it goes "against the grain" to accept advice from others and from God. It goes "against the grain" to accept discipline from God. But it is the wise person who will listen, consider and make the appropriate changes...
(Matthew 7:1-5) “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."
(Proverbs 15:) He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. 33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.
(Hebrews 12:1-13) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
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