Lesson 47
Revelation - Study of Things to Come
Is there value in Knowing future
things??
Jesus
in the context of John 13-16 gives us some principles we need to know!
In
these predictions of ch 14, 15, 16 there is interwoven
with the What is going to occur, we also find the WHY.
From
this we can pick up some principles regarding the importance of knowing and
understanding future events.
So
the #1 reason = To provide for stability in one's
life!
*** Need to remember: Knowledge of Scripture does not always have
an immediate use or application. 16:4 makes that point!
#2. To confirm our faith!
- Look at
#3. Knowledge of future things has a purpose of giving
us perspective.
Revelation 16 The Bowls of Wrath
Introduction: Chapter 16
These 7 bowls are
significant in that they point to 2 things:
#1. Because
they are the conclusion of God's judgment.
#2. The 7 Bowls differ from the previous judgments; the
"seals," and the "trumpets" in 2 ways:
#1. their impact is
world wide; the others had limits, 1/3
#2. there
is no mercy break in the pouring out of these bowls of wrath as there was with
others.
16:1 The CMD is given to commence
This word me,gaj fits well in describing the most intense and
severe and final judgments of God poured out on rebellious mankind.
- The
aspect of the theme that comes out of the use of me,gaj is seen as we look at its
extensive use in ch-16.
- Really describes the
events in Rev 16 as Mega Events! 9 of
them!
1. vs:9 "fierce heat"; opted for the idea of
intensity
2. vs:12 "great river";
3. vs:14 "great day"; mega day -> involves
the wrath of God!
4. vs:17 "loud voice"; take it as the same
voice as vs:1
5. vs:18 "great earthquake"; mega earthquake
6. vs:19 "great city";
7. vs:19 "
8. vs:21 "huge
hailstones";
9. vs:21 "plague was extremely severe"; mega
plague
The primary purposes of the seven bowl judgments are:
(1) to
pour out God's righteous wrath in judgment of the earth dwellers;
(2)
to graphically demonstrate the unrepentant nature of
the earth dwellers who are already doomed by the mark they have taken (Rev. 14:9-11+).
16:2 Bowl #1 Only impacts those with the mark;
worshipers of the beast.
- For the ones who chose
the present advantages; the now people; payment is now beginning to come due!
- 4 things from this
verse about the judgment; Nature; extent; severity; lessons;
#1 Nature
of this judgment: "and it became a loathsome and malignant sore upon
the men"
- sore: elkojs = abscess, boil;
therefore speaks of an ulcerated sore; one that continues to run
- terms
loathsome and malignant: both express what is bad, evil;
#2 Extent
of the judgments: all the bowl judgments are very broad; are universal in sense
that they cover the whole of the earth;
#3 Severity of the
judgment: Is seen when we compare this 1st bowl to the 1st trumpet;
The followers of the beast chose earthly comfort
and gained eternal judgment!
#4 Lessons to be learned:
I think we find something out about man and also about God!
- The lesson about man; It shows one thing that he
will not do to eliminate his pain!
He will not bow the knee to God!
He will not repent.
He would rather bite his tongue in pain then change.
He would rather suffer than align with the will of God.
- The Second lesson is about God; when we note the
extent of the bowl judgments we must also conclude that His longsuffering has
ended; it is not forever.