Revelation 16 reminds me of trying to convince an addict that their behavior is harming others. Logic, reason, and reality have no effect. They will rationalize their situation and even attack those trying to help. We never know what the “bottom” is for an addict, so we continue to watch for any sign of hope. Today’s lesson is about turning away from terrible. John heard a loud voice from the temple: “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” John describes a painful progression of punishments that seem to echo the Exodus plagues. “The first angel… poured out his bowl… and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.” The mark has left them marred. I am reminded of the “After” pictures in anti-drug ads. “The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.” Half of the oxygen on earth is produced in the oceans of our world. A dead sea means that a dead planet will soon follow. “The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.” There is nothing pleasant about the sight of blood, it means something was hurt. It shocks the senses. One of the angels cries out: “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One”, adding “they have shed the blood of your holy people… you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” Those under the influence cling to the idea that they are fine, until something shocking forces them to see reality.
We do not like to consider the innocent who are caught in the crossfire of our recklessness. John includes the voices from the altar in heaven: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” I believe these are the voices of those who had been persecuted. The victims realize that God’s perfect judgment is the only way stop the madness. The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun.” The people were “seared by the intense heat”, but rather than look inward, “they cursed the name of God… they refused to repent and glorify Him.” This is the nature of mankind; we fail to reflect on our actions. It is easier to blame than to change. Next, John sees: “The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast… People gnawed their tongues in agony… and cursed God… but they refused to repent of what they had done.” Repentance begins with a change of heart, but it does not stop there. It requires a turning away from something destructive.
The chapter closes with the lead up to the final battle. “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates.” It is dried up “to prepare the way for the kings from the East.” Water is life. The Euphrates has traditionally been a protective barrier against invasion. John adds: “the kings of the whole world… gather… for the battle.” In Hebrew It is called “Armageddon.” The armies line up to battle against the God of Israel. John inserts a comment, perhaps as a reminder that this battle is not ours. The church has been removed: “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake.” We cannot fight the spiritual battle for someone else. When the seventh angel poured out his bowl: “out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’” What is done? The stored-up judgement of evil is unleashed. John adds: “God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of His wrath.” I believe that even in wrath, God has limitless mercy. This is incomprehensible to us. Freewill means that we alone choose to reject His grace. God does not give up on us. John notes that in the end: “they cursed God.” Friend, have you been damaged by addiction? Healing and hope are found in the blood of Christ. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)