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SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH I. COMPLIMENTARY TEXTS 1. Exodus 15:1-21 - Israel sings in praise of God’s victory over Egypt, the Lord will reign forever! 2. Deuteronomy 32:3-4, 43 - The song of Moses is also the song of God’s power and justice. 3. Daniel 7:23-27 - Daniel promised the destruction of the Roman kingdom and the eternal reign of God. 4. Joel 3:9-15- God will sit and judge all the surrounding nations who have fought against His people. 5. Matt 23:28-39 - Jesus pronounced judgment upon the unrighteous people of that time.
II. MAIN THEME - REVELATION
15 and 16 - Judgment is coming upon the enemies of the Lamb. There is no place to hide from the wrath of the Lamb. 1. Textual
discussion of Revelation 15 and 16 and related texts from Revelation. 1). Preparation for the judgment of the Lamb’s enemies - chapter 15. a. The victorious saints sing the song of Moses and the Lamb - verses 1-4; chapter 7; 14:1-5;19:14 b. A view of the preparations in heaven for judgment upon the Lambs enemies - verses 5-8; chapters 4 and 5; 8:1-5; 11:19. 2). The seven bowls of wrath - 16:1-16; 14:6-12; 18:8; 19:17-21. a. God’s wrath brings a evil sore upon those who worship the beast - 16:1-2; 18:8 b. God’s wrath causes the sea to turn to blood and every creature dies - 16:3: 8:8; 11:6. c. God’s wrath turns the rivers and springs to blood - 16:4-7; 8:10; 18:6, 24; d. God’s wrath causes evil men to be scorched with fire - 16:8-9; 9:17-18; 11:13; 18:8. e. God’s wrath causes darkness on the kingdom of the beast - 16:10-11: 11:10; 18:23 f. Preparation for a great battle at Armageddon - 16:12-16; 19:17-21; 20:7-10 g. Babylon is destroyed - 16:17-21; 17:18; 18:21; 19:19:20-21; 20:7- 2. Related topics with texts from other books of the Bible 1). God’s saints sing songs of praise and victory - Rev 15:1-4. a. The song of Israel praising God for deliverance from Egypt - Exodus 15:1-21 b. The song of Moses praising God for victory - Deut 34:3-4, 43. c. The new song - Rev 5:9-10 d. The song of Moses and the Lamb - Rev 15:3-4 2). The promised destruction of Rome is realized at last - Rev 16:17-21 a. As prophesied by Daniel - Daniel 2:43-44; 7:23-27 b. Compare to the promised destruction of Babylon -. Isa 13; 47:9-15; Jer 50 and 51; Dan 5:30-31 3). The battle at Armageddon and similar prophesies from the Old Testament - Rev 16:14-16 a. Josiah killed fighting against Egypt because he didn’t listen to God’s warning - 2 Chr 35:19-25 b. Prophecy about the valley of Hinnom - Jer 7:31-34 c. Prophecy about the valley of Jehoshaphat - Joel 3:2-21 d. Battle of Gog and Magog - Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 4). Compare to prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem - Matt 23:34-39; 24:15-21; Luke 21:20-24. Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, so the readers of Revelation would be familiar with the fulfillment of this great prophecy of Jesus and could well visualize the promised destruction of Rome. IV. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. We can be confident of God’s judgment upon the wicked, and leave judgment to him. We do not have to be burdened with taking vengeance on our enemies, but it all right for us to pray for God’s judgment upon them Romans 12:19; Revelation 6:10. 2. We should follow the example of Moses and the saints and sing God’s praises for the great things he has done in the past and the great things He is doing today - Rom 15:9; 1 Cor 14:15; Heb 2:12; James 5:13; Rev 15:3 3. Since we can see from history that God’s judgment is certain, we should be confident of His promises for the future. The victory of Jesus is certain. Rev 19:11-21 4. We need to be aware of God’s wrath and mercy - Romans 11:22; Hebrews 10:31; 12:29. 5. We need to warn those who are in danger because God’s wrath is real - Ezekiel 3:16-21; Col 1:28. IV. MEMORY VERSE - Revelation 16:1 |