Revelation (Written)

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

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. Revelation 16:2

The previous verse instructed the seven angels to go and pour out their bowls. With that stated, it now reads, “So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth.” As in verse 1, the preposition signifies “into” rather than “upon.” There is a sequential order to the pouring out of the bowls, just as there has been a sequential order to the breaking of the seals and the sounding of the trumpets. As for this first bowl, it says, “and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men.”

This does not match the first trumpet. There, the action was directed to the trees and the green grass. This is directed towards mankind, upon whom falls this sore. The Greek words used to describe it are the adjectives kakos (evil, rotted, poisoned) and ponéros (evil, pain-ridden, agonizing). The cognate nouns are both used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:8 –

“Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

In the rejection of that which is good, and in focusing on that which is filled with malice and wickedness, the world will receive a just punishment in like-kind upon themselves. In this judgment, there is a connection to the sixth plague that fell upon Egypt –

“So the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh. ⁹ And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ¹⁰ Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast. ¹¹ And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians.” Exodus 9:8-11

Though no specific disease is indicated, the connection to the boils of Egypt may be what will again afflict the people. Also, it may be that the sores coming upon the people are similar to those Job would have experienced –

“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” Job 2:7

They may affect the entire body, and they will probably be abscessed and malignant. Deuteronomy 28:35 gives a description of such sores as well – “The Lord will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.”

Whatever it is, it will be something that will terribly afflict the people it lights upon, meaning those “who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.”

It is of note that the sores will come specifically upon those who have taken the mark of the beast. With modern technology bringing the world closer and closer to this inevitable moment in time, many new ways of solidifying power are coming about. There are vaccines that are being developed, and vaccine passports are being initiated so that only those who accept these things have certain privileges.

There are also injectable tracking devices such as RFID chips. These, and several other types of technologies, could certainly lead to one which will be decided upon for all people to receive. However, that very mark may be the means of bringing about these horrifying sores.

This doesn’t seem far-fetched at all. Many of these technologies that are supposedly intended for good are already showing horrifying side effects. When the mark of the beast is decided upon, it may be that it will take a year or two for the effects to manifest themselves. By then, it will be too late, and the sores will come.

Life application: This will be a worldwide and ongoing series of calamities, and there will be no petitioning for God to lessen the suffering – the heavenly tabernacle is closed until the judgment is finished.

In today’s world, people think it’s fun to proclaim they are atheists. There are seminars set up for people to rage against God, and it is fashionable to write books and make movies about the liberated state of humanism. And, with more people following this path, the cooler it seems. But a time is coming (and remember, this is only the first plague) when giving allegiance to the beast will be a sorely (pun intended) regretted decision.

All of this could be averted by just calling out to God and acknowledging Him and receiving His offer of peace. Let us be wise and look to our Creator and His open hand of grace. Let us come to JESUS.

Heavenly Father, the pains we suffer and the trials we face almost always come directly from our own bad decisions. And a time is coming when the world will collectively face them. Why can’t we just look at the creation and acknowledge that it isn’t mere chance that we’re here? Why can’t we just give You the glory You’re due? Forgive us and heal us. Amen.

Tuesday, 27 April 2021

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.” Revelation 16:1

With the completion of the prelude to the coming bowl judgments revealed in Chapter 15, this chapter now begins with the details of that scene starting to be filled in. In this, John opens the words of Chapter 16 with, “Then I heard a loud voice.”

This is the often-repeated phrase going back to verse 1:10 and having been used quite a few times since then. The heralding of a new part of a scene, or the introduction of a new event, is preceded by a loud voice. This one is said to be “from the temple.”

It was just said in the previous verse that “no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.” Therefore, this is the voice of the Lord Jesus Himself (the God/Man) calling out and “saying to the seven angels, ‘Go.’”

As noted, the seven angels might be (and probably are) “the seven Spirits who are before His throne” of Revelation 1:4. They are His “angels,” meaning “messengers,” of destruction upon the world that has rejected Him. They are told to “Go.” It indicates the set time has come, and the purposes of God will now be met in their going forth. Their purpose is to “pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”

Rather than “on,” the preposition signifies “into.” The measure of iniquity of man has reached its fullness, and the time for God to judge the earth has come. It is the same thought as that which occurred in Genesis at the coming of the flood of Noah. It is what occurred when Egypt was judged. It is the same for the Amorites in Canaan when they were exterminated by Israel. There is a point where God’s wrath is poured out on those who have rejected Him. This is, again like at the time of Noah, which is to be on a global scale.

Life application: The direction is given and there will be no holding back on what is coming. The trumpet judgments were limited in their size and scope, and served as warnings concerning what would come if the world wouldn’t turn to God. And, of course, it didn’t. Therefore, the bowl judgments are on their way. They will pour out plagues in full strength, and no one on earth will be spared from what is coming.

We tend to think that if we just store up enough food, money, or other things, then we will be secure from troubles that other people will be caught in. In fact, the concept of IRAs and other retirement funds is to provide security during the years of difficulty that lay at the end of every working life. But relying on these things is tenuous at best. A little hiccup in an economy can wipe away vast fortunes.

A set of worldwide calamities will take away every thought of security. People will live day to day and feel the effects of these judgments continuously. We think we can hide from God, but He is ever-present. When His judgment comes, it will be a terrifying thing.

For the Christian, we know that our security isn’t in gold or silver, nor is it in the US dollar, a hedge fund, or an IRA. Our security is in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and in the power of His resurrection! And that is security we can bank on. Thank God for JESUS!

Lord, let us take a moment to thank You for the surety we have in You! Thank You for Your shed blood and the offer of peace that comes through it. Now we can rest in absolute surety that we will stand in Your presence without any fear of condemnation! Great are You, O Lord, and greatly to be praised! Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord! Amen.

Monday, 26 April 2021

The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. Revelation 15:8

The seven angels were just given the seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God. With that done, it next says, “The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power.” It is almost universal that commentaries equate this event with the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle/temple in passages such as Exodus 40:34, 1 Kings 8:10, and so on.

However, there is a difference. Here it is smoke, not a cloud. At times, smoke is associated with the Lord in the Old Testament –

“Smoke went up from His nostrils,
And devouring fire from His mouth;
Coals were kindled by it.” Psalm 18:8

A closer parallel is found in Isaiah 6:4 –

“And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.”

Isaiah 1-5, again and again, referred to the waywardness of the people. Mixed into those passages are notes of restoration, but the thought of Isaiah 6 is based on a need for judgment before any restoration is possible. The scene of Isaiah 6 is one of terror and fear for the prophet.

In the New Testament, the word kapnos, or smoke, is used thirteen times. It is always used in one of two contexts – 1) the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:4), or 2) smoke in connection with wrath and impending or executed judgment. In this case, it is said to be in connection with “the glory of God,” but it is not in a harmonious and propitious way as it is with the cloud. Instead, the glory here is that of the awesome, avenging power of God.

It is as if the smoke of the incense (the prayers of the saints of those martyred) filled the temple, God breathed it in acknowledging the wrong done to them, and the smoke is converted into His fury. As these are bowls of wrath, what will occur is not a harmonious fellowship between God and His people as with the cloud, but an outpouring of great and severe judgment. With that thought in mind, John next says, “and no one was able to enter the temple.”

This is what happened in both Exodus at the consecration of the tabernacle, and again in 1 Kings at the consecration of the temple –

“Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34, 35

“And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, ¹¹ so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” 1 Kings 8:10, 11

These events were not of wrath and judgment, but of pure holiness communing with the subjects of His affection. Despite the Lord’s willingness to dwell among His people, it was a sign that there was still a barrier between the two because of His holiness and glory. On the other hand, what is occurring in Revelation is that of the welling up of fury over the heaped-up sins of the people of the world. Of this, Milligan rightly says, “God cannot be approached at the moment when He is revealing Himself in all the terrors of His indignation.” This state of wrath will continue, as John says, “till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.”

The fury of the Lord will continue until it is spent. It will not abate at all until that time. The pouring out of the bowls reflects this pouring out of His wrath. Until the full measure of that has been brought to bear upon the world, the temple will remain inaccessible to all. If this is so in the temple of the Lord, what will it be like for those on the earth? Amos gives insight into that day –

“Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
For what good is the day of the Lord to you?
It will be darkness, and not light.
¹⁹ It will be as though a man fled from a lion,
And a bear met him!
Or as though he went into the house,
Leaned his hand on the wall,
And a serpent bit him!
²⁰ Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light?
Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?” Amos 5:18-20

Life application: The horrifying meaning of there being no access to the temple is that no intercession will be possible. The people of the earth will receive judgment without mercy.

God’s anger will have reached its full measure. The cross of His Son, and the wrath that was poured out there, has been rejected. Because of this, those left on the earth will receive in full strength the very punishment and anger that could have been satisfied for them in the death of Jesus. When it comes, they will of course blame God for their woes. But what is coming is a self-inflicted judgment.

Any and all are welcome at the cross, but people would rather ignore God’s great offer of peace to work out their own wickedness. God is one hundred percent just in the pouring out of His anger during this period, and no one will have a legitimate claim against Him. Now is the time to be reconciled to God. Now is the time to call on JESUS.

Lord, when bad things happen in our lives, we find it ever so easy to blame You. But when things are going well and all is fine, we ignore You, hide from You, and even run from You. Help us to think clearly, and to rationally see that every good thing we have comes from You. Help us to accept the trials without complaint and to give thanks and praise for the blessings. Amen.

Sunday, 25 April 2021

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. Revelation 15:7

The previous verse introduced the seven angels having the seven plagues full of the wrath of God. John now begins this verse with, “Then one of the four living creatures.” This refers back to Chapter 4. In that chapter, a meticulous description was given of each of the four creatures around the throne. One of them now gives “the seven angels seven golden bowls.”

These are shallow, flat bowls. The term “vials” which is given by some translations doesn’t really convey that thought. The word is phialé. One can see the etymological root of the word vial in it, but the word vial as is used today does not convey the idea of what is being seen. It is the same word used in verse 5:8 –

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

In that verse, the bowls were used in offering the incense, signifying the prayers of the saints. Using the same type of bowl now, it appears to be an ironic response to those prayers. Whereas the prayers were offered out of those bowls to God, and as they are containing the prayers of the saints, these bowls are said to be “full of the wrath of God.”

These bowls now certainly include payment for all of the injustices done to God’s people and all of the other wickedness that has been propagated by the world. Finally, John says in reference to God that it is He “who lives forever and ever.”

The term is referring to Jesus. The same wording was used of Him in verse 1:18. The reason for including this term now is that though wickedness has grown to the highest levels on the earth, and that man feels God is completely removed from the picture, the opposite is true. God was, He is, and He shall be. He is eternal, and His seeming slowness to act is because man is limited and looks at things from his own perspective. He fails to take into account the fact that God has a program set forth that spans millennia. God is not slow to act at all. Rather, He is always in the process of working out His plans.

Life application: In man’s attempt to cast off God’s rule, his vile conduct will grow to the point where only judgment and punishment is left as a remedy. This was seen at the time of Noah, it has been seen again and again in the history of man since then, and it is coming upon the whole world someday.

The focal point of all judgment is the Lord’s Christ. He came to take upon Himself the judgment of His people. In the tribulation period, it is He who will execute judgment on man who has rejected Him. In the end, God’s judgment must be executed upon sin. And that judgment is realized in one way or another through the giving of JESUS.

Lord, it is terrifying to know that a time is coming when there will be no remedy left for the people of the world except that they are to receive judgment, punishment, and condemnation. Give each of us a heart willing to tell of Jesus’ great act of love and reconciliation now, so that those around us can hear and hopefully call out to You and be saved. Make us instruments of sharing this wonderful message of reconciliation and peace, O God. Amen.

Saturday, 24 April 2021

And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Revelation 15:6

The previous verse noted that “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” With that noted, it next says, “And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues.” It is reflective of the words of verse 8:2 –

“And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.”

Like there, it is debated who these angels are or represent. One thought is that they correspond to “the seven Spirits who are before His throne” of Revelation 1:4. It is the Lamb who opened the seven seals, releasing those judgments upon the earth. Likewise, it was probably the seven Spirits who were represented by the seven angels blowing the trumpets. This seems possible because the seven Spirits of God that are possessed by the Lord Jesus (see Revelation 3:1) are His “angels,” meaning “messengers,” of destruction upon the world that has rejected Him.

However, it must be noted that one of these seven angels is reintroduced in Revelation 21:9 and he continues to talk to John into Revelation 22. At one point he says, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God” (22:9). This seems to overthrow the notion that they are the seven Spirit of the Lord.

As these angels are to “pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth” (16:1), the thought of these angels representing the Lord has precedence in the Old Testament –

“How long, Lord?
Will You be angry forever?
Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
⁶ Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You,
And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.
⁷ For they have devoured Jacob,
And laid waste his dwelling place.” Psalm 79:5-7

The pouring out of God’s wrath is also noted in 2 Chronicles 34:21 & 25, Psalm 69:24, Ezekiel 21:31 & 22:31, and Hosea 5:10. These and other references give a good clue that the seven angels are, again, representative of the seven Spirits of the Lord pouring out His wrath upon the world. The wrath is described as “plagues,” and each plague will be described in Chapter 16 as the bowl is poured out. These seven angels are next described by John, saying, “clothed in pure bright linen.”

There is a variation in some manuscripts. Instead of λίνον (linen), some manuscripts say λίθον (stone). If linen, it symbolizes sinless perfection, purity, and righteousness. It is a theme already seen numerous times in Revelation. If precious stone is intended, then it follows after the analogy found in Ezekiel 28:13 when describing the king of Tyre –

“You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.”

The stone symbolism was also found in Revelation 2:17 –

“And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

From this, John finishes the verse with, “and having their chests girded with golden bands.”

It is reflective of the words of verse 1:13, which said, “and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” The gold bands represent divine/kingly authority to judge righteously.

There is a difference in this verse and in the words of verse 1:13. In verse 1:13, it used the Greek word mastos, or breasts. Here it uses the Greek word stéthos, or chest. Despite this, both words signify the same area, and they convey the same general thought. Thus, this does not argue against one interpreting the other.

Life application: What is coming with the pouring out of the bowls will be similar to the trumpet judgments but seemingly more severe. However, some look at the judgments as the same, but being represented from different viewpoints. In other words, the trumpets are viewed from an earthly vantage point as they blow upwards, and the bowls are from a heavenly vantage point as they are poured downwards.

It seems though that they are coming in sequence, and that they are similar, but not the same judgments. The trumpets were plagues of warning; the bowls are plagues of finality. What was rejected – in what occurred in the trumpets as divine judgment, and needing repentance – will be executed in complete and full strength in the outpouring of these bowls.

The times of tribulation are coming to their completion, and the world will suffer greatly because of their own foolish choices. What has been offered through God’s giving of His Son is rejected and only judgment is left. The world has long thought of the Lord as a cosmic pushover. They will find out that He is the Lord who Judges. He is JESUS.

O God, it seems hard to understand how anyone could look around and not see that the calamities of the coming tribulation period are anything but divine judgment. And yet, they will fail to open their eyes, refuse to call out for Jesus, and they will be judged for their unrighteousness. All we can do is say that You are right in Your judgments. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.