Revelation 16
November Memory Verse: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me." Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
Revelation 16
Yesterday we were introduced to the seven angels who came out of the temple. We are told that with these angels’ plagues, God’s wrath will be completed. Here is a summary of the plagues:
Angel 1: festering sores on people who have the mark of the beast.
Angel 2: saltwater (sea) turned into blood, everything in the sea died.
Angel 3: freshwater sources (rivers/springs) turned into blood.
Angel 4: sun scorched people with fire and heat.
Angel 5: the beast’s kingdom is thrown into darkness.
Angel 6: great river dried up, impure spirits gather kings of the world to battle at Armageddon.
Angel 7: intense lightning/thunder/hail/earthquake that completely destroys cities and the land itself. “It is done!”
What can we take away from a passage like this today?
Meditate on God’s justice today. He doesn’t allow sin to go unpunished. Adore this quality of Him and find rest in Him and Him alone. Praise God that through Jesus we have power over sin and that God wins in the end.
By: Thomas Carter – Leadership Team Member
Revelation 16
Yesterday we were introduced to the seven angels who came out of the temple. We are told that with these angels’ plagues, God’s wrath will be completed. Here is a summary of the plagues:
Angel 1: festering sores on people who have the mark of the beast.
Angel 2: saltwater (sea) turned into blood, everything in the sea died.
Angel 3: freshwater sources (rivers/springs) turned into blood.
Angel 4: sun scorched people with fire and heat.
Angel 5: the beast’s kingdom is thrown into darkness.
Angel 6: great river dried up, impure spirits gather kings of the world to battle at Armageddon.
Angel 7: intense lightning/thunder/hail/earthquake that completely destroys cities and the land itself. “It is done!”
What can we take away from a passage like this today?
- God is just (v 5-7). There are consequences to sin, either now or in the end, and He doesn’t take sin lightly.
- All people are called to repent of their sins. Don’t let pride hold you back from submitting to God. Turn from sin now before God has to use drastic circumstances to get your attention (v 9, 11).
- Everyone and everything will eventually praise God (v 7). Even the altar rightly acknowledges who God is and his justice.
- Christ’s return will be unexpected, “like a thief” (v 15). Expect the unexpected and be ready.
- We see that God wins (v 10, 17)! We can take comfort in the fact that we know the end of the story. When life is hard, we can have hope, no matter what.
Meditate on God’s justice today. He doesn’t allow sin to go unpunished. Adore this quality of Him and find rest in Him and Him alone. Praise God that through Jesus we have power over sin and that God wins in the end.
By: Thomas Carter – Leadership Team Member
1 Comment
I find solace in knowing that, with the increasing evil there is in the world today, God does not forget and is not asleep. The evil deeds of those who do not love and honor God are being stored up to eventually, in God's timing, be poured out in His wrath.