The Book of Revelation Chapters 15 16 May

The Book of Revelation Chapters 15 -16 May 18, 2016

Revelation 15: 1 -2 The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. 1 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 2

Revelation 15: 3 -4 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! 4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. ” 3

Revelation 15: 1 -4 • Verse 1 introduces chapters 15 & 16 – it brings the second “another great sign” • The first great sign was chapter 12, verse 1 – the woman clothed with the sun • The first great sign explained the history of God and His people and the war of the enemy on them – it explained why things were and why they were to be consummated as they are • The second great sign is about how things will be brought to an end • The seven angels with the seven last plagues – this is the finale’ – with these bowls God’s wrath is completed • The verb “completed” really means “reaches its goal” rather than “comes to an end”

Revelation 15: 1 -4 • The “sea of glass” that John has seen earlier (4: 6) has changed – instead of being crystal clear it is now mixed with fire • The fire is possibly indicative of God’s coming judgement • Also, the change in the sea can be seen in parallel terms to earth – when the seas change on earth there is a change of the weather coming • Additionally, the sea of glass is also indicative of the Word of God (from the Temple meaning of the sea at the Jewish Temple). The sea mixed with fire symbolizes believers standing firmly for the Word of God, Jesus, under the test of fire • Those standing by the sea – these are those who are “victorious” which also translates as “overcome” • It is interesting that this is only 4 verses after we saw Christ’s harvesting of His people at His return

Revelation 15: 1 -4 • Some of these are certainly them, but likely include many others • God seems to include in the harvest all true believers throughout history • Importantly this shows the contrast between those who refused the devil and the beast and those who welcomed him • The two hymns sung are related: • First – The Song of Moses the servant of God – celebrates the power of God in bringing His people great salvation and freedom from slavery • This hymn was regularly sung by 1 st century Jews on Sabbath evenings • Second – The Song of the Lamb – powerfully reminds us of the mighty acts of God in saving His people • The two seem to represent and cover both the 1 st (Old Testament) Covenant and the New (New Testament) Covenant

Revelation 15: 5 -6 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 5 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. 6

Revelation 15: 5 -6 • The Tabernacle of Testimony is one of the names the Israelites used for the sacred tent they used in the wilderness to house the Ark of the Covenant • This was the Holy of Holies and the interior was concealed from the eyes of the people • NOW that has changed – the Tabernacle is open to the eyes of God’s people • The image of the angels is interesting and important: • The angels are clothed in the same manner as Old Testament Israelite priests – the only men allowed to enter the Holy of Holies once a year • This shows that God’s instrument of judgement is going to be angelpriests who reside in the Holy of Holies in Heaven – the place that God’s law resides. • The fact that there are seven angels shows the perfection and completeness of this judgement

Revelation 15: 7 -8 And 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, 8 and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. 7

Revelation 15: 7 -8 • The seven angels are given the bowls of wrath and then the Temple area is sealed off to angels and men • The Temple will be sealed off during the final days of the Tribulation as God’s judgement works to conclusion • God’s throne symbolizes that His mercy and love is shut again to the public during the outpouring of the bowls of wrath • When God’s judgement is completed then access will again be open to the Mercy Seat.

Revelation 16: 1 -3 The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God. ” 1 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. 2 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. 3

Revelation 16: 1 -3 • This concludes the drama begun in chapter 15 – it shows the how of God’s bringing all things to the final threshold of the end • This is God’s final display of wrath that tears apart nature and the forces of the antichrist • This is a chapter of action – God Himself, with a loud voice from the temple, commands the sequence to begin • Each of the seven bowl judgments begin by telling where they are directed and these correspond with the 7 trumpet judgements • The first bowl directed at land, just as the first trumpet killed 1/3 of the vegetation • This time the effect is most directly shown on the remaining people who bear the mark of the beast

Revelation 16: 1 -3 • These events most possibly happen after the saints have been harvested in Chapter 14: 14 -16 • These plagues expand how the grape harvest of the wicked will come about • These sores will linger even after other bowls are poured out • The second bowl, just like the second trumpet judgement, is poured out on the sea • This time the destruction of the sea is total – this, again, signals the death of our planet • John describes it as “blood like that of a dead man” – a horrible, rotting and putrefying image • Consider the added affect of this destruction – the horrific sight and smell of billions of sea creatures decaying

Revelation 16: 4 -6 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 4 5 And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!” 6

Revelation 16: 4 -6 • The third bowl is poured onto rivers and springs of water – all the sources of drinkable water which is second in need for life to only air • This also parallels the third trumpet which was poured on fresh water • “The angel in charge of the waters” is an interpretation of the angel who just poured out the bowl • This punishment is designed to fit the crime – from the Wisdom of Solomon, “One is punished by the very things by which one sins ” • This is expressed in the words of the angel • This is the perfect justice of God, because they wanted blood, they have only blood and more blood

Revelation 16: 7 -9 7 And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. 8 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. 9

Revelation 16: 7 -9 • The fourth bowl is poured onto the sun and poison it – again, there is a total movement to destruction of the earth moving now • Where the sun has been a blessing from God now it becomes a curse • It is difficult to imagine the power and pain of being scorched by the sun – imagine the hottest heat you have endured and magnify it greatly • If you had just experienced these first plagues – sores, destruction of all the seas, all drinking water (which you really need when thirsty), and being horribly scorched by the heat of the sun – how would you react • Those who are on the receiving end of this, instead of repenting, curse the name of God • They acknowledge God is in control of this but they curse (blaspheme) His holy name and refuse to repent and glorify Him • They continue to follow the example of their leader the antichrist

Revelation 16: 10 -12 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish 10 and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. 11 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 12

Revelation 16: 10 -12 • The next bowl will now be directed at humans (unlike the first who were poured out on earth, sea, water and the sun) • The antichrist remains in charge but now his throne is directed targeted and his kingdom, his center of power, is the recipient • The beast’s kingdom is “plunged into darkness” – very like the plague of darkness upon the Egyptians • There is also a likely dual meaning – with all that is happening this serves to push the beast’s kingdom into confusion and chaos • Again, we see the response of the humans – not to repent but to continue their willful and hateful disobedience of God • The sixth bowl will receive more description than the previous bowls – it addresses the river Euphrates which is a natural barrier in the region and one of historic significance

Revelation 16: 10 -12 • The Euphrates is dried up and parallels the way the first Babylonian Empire was conquered when Cyrus the Persian diverted part of the river to tunnel into the fortified city • Who the “kings from the East” are has been highly debated – in the first centuries it would have thought of the Parthians, who were always held back by the Euphrates • It is largely impossible to tell who they be in modern terms but what is significant is that this is the first time the antichrist feels threatened and possibly panicked • This is a huge threat by an enormous human force and it is time for the antichrist and his forces to panic, this is the first time he will face a serious military threat

Revelation 16: 13 -16 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. 13

Revelation 16: 13 -16 • The threat from the East causes he “unholy trinity” to move to call of their forces to their side • The dragon, beast and false prophet use persuasive speech and the power of evil spirits to summon their forces • The “unclean spirits” are seen in the guise of frogs • Not only do they use speech but also miraculous signs to strengthen the deception and to build up power against the forces from the East • This is the actual gathering of forces for the battle on the great day of God Almighty • The great day of the Lord began with the grain harvest and continues forward to the grape harvest • Christ speaks directly – He interjects to remind us that though we are given many of the signs we still cannot know but MUST remain ready and also know that God’s plan cannot be prevented

Revelation 16: 13 -16 • Jesus’ words are a key reminder for Christians not to panic when they see events occurring that appear to be end-time fulfillment • All the forces will assemble at a place that is another of the great mysteries from the Revelation • The battle itself will be portrayed in chapter 19, verses 19 -21 • This name is an actual translational problem – though John says that it “ in Hebrew is called Armageddon” he wrote this in Greek • Many scholars have translated it mean “Har-Megiddo” or in English “Mount Megiddo” an area corresponding with the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel • BUT this area is a low area and NOT a mountain, roughly the highest point is the town of Megiddo at 70 feet above the valley floor • This area is a historical battle sight and a strategic route through the area • BUT the actual location is not an essential piece of information and the name given could be regarded as an operational name

Revelation 16: 17 -19 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 17 And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. 18 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. 19

Revelation 16: 17 -19 • The one element that has escaped the plagues until now has been the atmosphere BUT the seventh bowl is poured out “into the air” • We don’t know what the actual impact on the air is but it shows the finality of God’s wrath – all things essential to life on earth are now cursed • God confirms this Himself by saying in a loud voice “It is done” – this can be translated several ways “it has happened” or “it’s over” – it holds the same strength of finality in Greek as Jesus’ last words – “It is finished” • These seven plagues were to complete the wrath of God; now God Himself confirms this • God’s words are followed by the fifth and last occurrence of an earthquake in Revelation • This is the final shaking of creation from which there is no recovery – it is the earthquake that undoes planet Earth

Revelation 16: 17 -19 • The “great city, ” Babylon, is shown in its destruction even though we will learn much more in Chapter 18 • In Chapter 18 we will learn more about who she is or might represent • The destruction shown here in verse 19 is consistent with Revelation 18: 10 • This is the final and complete destruction of the beast’s kingdom • It is “split into three parts” meaning total ruin • The entirety of the beast’s empire is destroyed as well as “the cities of the nations fell” • God’s wrath is fulfilled against Babylon and the imagery of her having to “drain the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath” is a vivid image of the fullness of her punishment

Revelation 16: 20 -21 And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. 20 And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. 21

Revelation 16: 20 -21 • The total destruction described parallels the flood of Noah’s day • For the first time since the flood “every island fled away and the mountains could not be found” • We don’t know exactly the means of destruction is but 2 Peter 3: 10 describes it as “fire” • This destruction is accompanied by another horror – the sky literally falls • In the midst of everything else we see that 100 pound hail stones fall • The truly saddest part is the reaction of the people – they are surely dying, those on the earth don’t have long to live in the middle of all this destruction – but even though they see and experience this unquestionable power of God, they not only refuse to turn to Him but they determinedly reject Him by cursing Him.