A Daily Walk

John Randall: When I look at people's lives who are rejecting Jesus Christ, it appears on the outside that everything is fine. Their Instagram feed looks wonderful, their life is perfect, they have no issues. It's a constant highlight reel. But they do not know Jesus.

And I thought, what is it going to take for their eyes to be opened? Does it have to be something tragic? Does it have to be something difficult? The Lord said in his word, "Come, let us reason together. Let's talk about this. Let's dialogue together."

Guest (Male): Thanks for tuning our way. Welcome to A Daily Walk, a presentation of Calvary South OC. Today, we'll bring you a study in Revelation 16. Here, we find the pouring of the bowls of wrath. And if there was ever any doubt in your mind about the power of God and the foolishness of rejecting God, then these verses should make things crystal clear.

The earth and its inhabitants are in for the most severe judgment imaginable. And this chapter should be a wake-up call for all of us. Join Pastor John Randall now in Revelation 16 for all the details.

John Randall: We have been going through the book of Revelation. And the book of Revelation is an unveiling of Jesus Christ and an unveiling of prophetic events that will take place in the future. And this morning, we come to Revelation chapter 16, beginning in verse one. If you'd follow along with me.

"Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, 'Go, pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.'" In our study thus far in Revelation, we've already noted that when the judgments of God begin to come upon the earth, that it starts with seven seals that are opened. And when each seal is opened, judgment follows.

After the seven seal judgments are the seven trumpet judgments that had increased intensity and severity. When each trumpet sounded, judgment followed. But now that the seven trumpet judgments are complete, they will be followed by the seven bowl judgments.

It was back in Revelation chapter 15, in verse one, that the apostle John saw seven angels with seven final plagues that were to be poured out on the earth. Then, in Revelation chapter 15, verse six, he saw those same seven angels with the seven plagues in the bowls coming from the holiest part of the temple in heaven.

And now we've come to the 16th chapter where John hears a voice from the temple commanding those seven angels to take those bowls and to pour them out upon the earth. And as the bowl judgments begin to be poured out, you may recognize that some of these final judgments are very similar to the plagues of the judgment that came upon Egypt in the Old Testament book of Exodus.

You may also notice some similarities between the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments. And although there are similarities, there are also significant differences. For example, Egypt's judgments seen in the Old Testament were localized judgments, whereas the bowl judgments are worldwide and they are global.

The trumpet judgments were still partial and incomplete. But the bowl judgments will be unmitigated and complete. The other thing to note of as we begin these final bowl judgments is that they move with rapid succession. There is no intermission between them. One takes place and before there is any time, the next one follows.

Finally, and most importantly, keep in mind that contrary to what some have suggested, these judgments are not symbolic, but they are literal. In verse two, we see the first bowl being poured out: "So the first," that is the first angel, "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."

You may recall from previous studies that when John was given information about what would take place during the seven years of tribulation that will come upon the earth, he was told that there would come a time when a mark would be issued, called the mark of the beast, to every person in order that they could buy or sell.

Without the mark, a person will be unable to get what they need to survive. At the same time, Revelation gives strong warnings to those who miss the rapture, who are left on the earth, to refuse to take the mark of the beast on their hand or on their forehead. For to take this mark of the beast is to seal one's fate for eternity. And the Bible reveals that those who would refuse to take the mark, they would be put to death.

It's clear that there will be those who will take this mark during the tribulation period. They will buy into the system. It will be necessary for survival. It will be convenient. Friends, it will be essential. They also will be followers and worshipers of the Antichrist, known as the beast. He will be their savior.

But what eventually follows the taking of this mark are adverse reactions in the form of loathsome sores in their bodies. The word loathsome sore is a form of a physical affliction of unusual severity and widespread suffering. Some suggest that it's similar to the boils of the sixth plague there in Exodus, when they refused to let the nation of Israel go free.

Some have suggested that there is something in this mark, when injected into the body, that eventually brings about these loathsome sores. We cannot say for sure other than to say these sores will follow. You know, I remember teaching on this same chapter close to three years ago, and at that time, the thought of an injection causing adverse effects on the physical body seemed unlikely.

But so much has changed in the last three years, in the last three weeks, in the last three days, in the last three hours, in the last three minutes. But when this mark is issued, there is no antidote, there is no antibiotic to remove the pain. These are heaven-sent sores. And although the Lord sent countless warnings, many refuse to listen.

Instead, they choose to follow the beast and these judgments are personal. They are on those who are followers of the Antichrist. Perhaps one application that we could make from this first bowl being poured out is this: if you disregard the warnings of God, it will always bring pain to your life.

If you go against what God has said for your own good and because of his love for you, it will result in devastation. God doesn't give us warnings in advance to keep something good from us, but to keep something harmful from us. And that is true even this morning. If you are here and you are currently rejecting the warnings of God, if you are refusing to respond to God's love for you, then the Bible says you will end in destruction and suffer the consequences of your decision.

God will never force his way into your life. But if you will open the door and you will let him come in, he will change your life forever. In verse three, we see the second bowl being poured out: "And 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."

The second bowl, reminiscent of what took place in Egypt when Moses turned the water into blood there at the Nile. The Egyptians worshiped the Nile, and in seeking to get Pharaoh's attention, the Lord allowed that water to be turned to blood. Yet, rather than respond and repent, Pharaoh rebelled.

It was back in Revelation chapter eight that we observed when the second trumpet sounded, that one-third of the sea was affected and one-third of the creatures in the sea were destroyed. And because it was only one-third, it indicates that the judgment was only partial. However, when this second bowl is poured out, it's total, it's complete.

The oceans that surround the planet are extremely vast. Everything about the ocean is immense. It has some of the tallest mountains in the world and some of the deepest valleys. It covers 72% of the earth's surface. That's 139 million square miles. And it's not just wide, but it is also deep: 12,460 feet deep on average.

That's the equivalent of ten Empire State Buildings on top of one another. And when you consider the life forms within the ocean, it's estimated that over a million known species of plants and animals live in the ocean. Some scientists suggest that there may be even up to nine million that they haven't really discovered as of yet.

You think of something as large as a blue whale, the largest mammal on the earth, can be 100 feet long, weigh up to 150 tons. That's as large as a Boeing jet. Its heart is as large as a small car. 50 people could stand on its tongue. Its spout shoots up at least 30 feet when it surfaces for air.

But then in addition to that, you consider the myriad of tiny organisms and fish that float and live in the sea. Yet because of the hardness of man's heart and his rebellion against God, all of creation will be affected. And it's unfathomable for us to consider what it would be like when every creature in the sea is affected and dies and floats to the surface and the entire ocean becomes blood, like that of a dead man.

And the horrific odor that will cover the planet, it will be unbearable. Not to mention that the food supply of the world will also be affected. But then the third bowl follows. In verse four, it says, "Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

And I heard the sound of the angel of the waters saying, 'You are righteous, O Lord, the one who is, who was, and who is to be, because you have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of the saints and of the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink, for it is their just due.' And I heard another from the altar saying, 'Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.'"

Now the third bowl is poured out in sequel to the second and with it, there is an explanation as to why it is that God allowed it. It was back in Revelation chapter eight that the first part of the tribulation began and we saw the third trumpet sound and a star called Wormwood came and hit the waters and contaminated one-third of the rivers and springs and causing many to die from the bitterness of that water.

But this time, at the very end of the Great Tribulation, all of the fresh water will be turned to blood, leaving nothing safe to drink, which would undoubtedly cause worldwide panic upon the earth. Fresh water makes up a very small fraction of all the water on the planet. While nearly 70% of the world is covered by water, only 2.5% of it is actually fresh.

The rest is saline or ocean-based. Even then, just 1% of our fresh water is easily accessible, much of it being trapped in glaciers and snowfields. In essence, only 0.007% of the planet's water is available to fuel and feed its 6.8 billion people. It's estimated by 2025 that 1.8 billion people will live in areas plagued by water scarcity, with two-thirds of the world's population living in water-stressed regions as a result of use, growth, and climate change.

You know, a person can live for up to a month, it's estimated, without food, but only about a week without water. 66% of the human body is water, 75% of the human brain water, living trees 75% water. You know, I recall living in the southeast of Florida during a time of hurricane, multiple hurricanes, hunkering down, as we called it.

During that time, everyone would rush to the grocery store. And do you know what the first thing that would be gone from the shelves and what everybody was going after? I'm sure you could guess it: water. But here, the angel pours out this bowl and the entire water system is affected. And an angel speaks up and he gives reason.

Notice he says, "You are righteous, Lord. You're the one who is and was and who is to come, and you have judged." This is the reason why: because they shed the blood of saints and prophets. And you've given them blood to drink; it is their just due. It was because of the slaughter of untold millions of people and thousands during the tribulation period for not siding with the Antichrist.

As their blood was shed, that now there is full retribution of those crimes. There was a quest for blood during the first half of the tribulation period by the Antichrist. And now the water supply is turned to blood during the last half of the tribulation period. Someone said it this way: "They thirsted after blood and massacred the saints of God and now they have blood to drink."

But the angel also speaks up and this is interesting because he praises God for God's justice being carried out. No one questions God's actions. This is right. This is just. God is loving. God is forgiving. He is gracious. He is merciful. He is kind. He is long-suffering. He is compassionate. And he is also righteous, holy, and just.

Many people find it difficult to consider God as being just. We like to reflect upon some of the divine attributes of God, some of them. For example, we consider his grace and we are overwhelmed with joy to think that God would give to us that which we do not deserve, his grace that saves us. We consider his faithful provision and we are thankful that he is a God that provides for all of our needs.

But when we turn to the justice of God's moral government, we can cringe or turn the page of the Bible. We consider him as Savior, we rejoice. But seeing him as Judge, our countenance changes quickly. Some do not desire to be acquainted with a God whose wrath is revealed from heaven against all who practice ungodliness.

But folks, listen, he could not be a God of complete love and grace and mercy if he were not a God of justice. You cannot deny all of his attributes. You take away from him and you ruin who he is. Listen, it's important for preachers of the gospel and expositors of the word of God, pastors of churches, to proclaim the full and complete depiction of the deity of Almighty God, lest we be guilty of misrepresenting him to this world.

And that is something that I don't want to stand before God and give an account for, misrepresenting him to this world. And sometimes because of the fear of man, we soften or water down the truth of divine justice which will cause people less alarm. And some do this to the point that they present God in such a way to people that God is so merciful that his justice is inoperative and that is a misrepresentation of who God is.

But then the fourth bowl comes. In verse eight: "Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over the plagues, and they did not repent nor give him glory."

It was in Revelation again, chapter eight, that we read when the fourth trumpet sounded, that the sun, the moon, and the stars were impacted and affected. Where the result was one-third of the day and the night no longer shone. Yet in Revelation 16, it's a completely different judgment because when the sun is affected in the bowl judgment, the sun now the impact will increase instead of decrease.

The third of the portion or the rest that remains left shining now produces devastating results as the sun scorches mankind. I'm sure you're aware of the sun, even now. But it makes up 99% of the mass of the entire solar system. The diameter of the sun at its equator approximately 860,000 miles, about 109 times of the earth.

It's so large that it can fit an estimated 1.3 million earths inside of the sun with room to spare. The earth right now is just at the right distance from the sun, 93 million miles away. And at this distance, the earth receives only billionths of the sun's energy every second. If it were closer, all of the water would boil and survival of life would be impossible.

If it were further away, all of the water would freeze and the planet would be barren and empty of life. The sun converts about five million tons of its matter into energy every second. That's the equivalent to 100 million or one megaton hydrogen bombs going off every second. The surface temperature 5500 degrees Celsius, the core temperature of the sun 15 million degrees Celsius.

Folks, listen, when you think about is there a real God, just look up in the sky and think to yourself, why does it stay there? How is it? What is it that keeps it there? What is it that keeps the earth rotating at just the right time on its axis? What is it? I'll tell you what it is if you don't know: it's God. It's God. It's not evolution, friend, it's God.

And it's the same God that loved you so much that you are the height of his creation. You were created in his image. He created you for fellowship and he desires to save you if you're not saved. That's the God I'm talking about. Creation reveals the glory of the Lord. The firmament shows his handiwork. And men take it for granted.

But in the tribulation period, the sun's strength will increase to the point where men will be scorched by its heat. And they will know where it comes from. And remember, the water supply is no longer available. And mankind responds to this judgment by blaspheming God and refusing to repent. And that reveals a few things.

For one thing, it reveals that even though mankind knows that he's suffering the consequences of his sin and where the judgment is coming from, he still refuses to repent and turn to God. The wishful thinking of some is that men would repent if they only knew the power and the righteous judgment of God.

But it's shattered by the frequent mention in this chapter of the hardness of the human heart in the face of the most stringent and evident divine discipline. Man says, "I'm not going to bow, I'm not going to bend, I reject you God." That's the heart of man. And it proves that the problem with humanity isn't the environment, it's not the climate that he lives in, but it's the hardness of heart.

They did not repent, they did not give glory to God, their rebellious hearts were further exposed. Even though the repercussions got worse, they didn't get right with God. I have thought to myself many times when I look at people's lives who are rejecting Jesus Christ, it appears on the outside that everything is fine.

Their Instagram feed looks wonderful, their life is perfect, they have no issues, it's a constant highlight reel. But they do not know Jesus. And I thought, what is it going to take for their eyes to be opened? Does it have to be something tragic? Does it have to be something difficult? The Lord said in his word, "Come, let us reason together. Let's talk about this, let's dialogue together."

He gives them the opportunity. The Bible says in Hebrews chapter three, "Do not harden your hearts as in the day of rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness." Friend, do not harden your heart today. If God's trying to get your attention and you know right now, even as this word is going forth, that it is the Lord that's speaking to you in this moment, listen, respond to that.

Guest (Male): That is Pastor John Randall and today on A Daily Walk, we've been studying Revelation chapter 16, and a very sobering look at the bowls of wrath. While all of this is going to happen just as God said it would, we don't have to be in on the receiving end of it if our faith is in Christ.

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