Rev 15-16 God Has The Last Word — Anchor Christian Church

God Has the Final Word Rev 15,16

I recently watched the movie “Big George Foreman”. It is the story of George Foreman’s life and how he became the Heavy Weight Champion of the boxing world and then he lost the title and then had a conversion experience and became a Minister and started a Boys Club to help needy kids. Then, due to mismanagement of his funds by a business manager, he lost everything. He decided to go back into the ring to try and regain the title – and He did. His life is a series of ups and downs but in the end he ended up a winner.

The book of Revelation can sometimes seem like an endless heavy weight bout. There are three sections from chapter 6 – 16 that show a pattern of conflict between Satan and the followers of Jesus. Satan is waging war against Christ and His followers but at the end of every section there is the victory of Christ and a period of worship.

Today we are going to see the last round before the victory bell – Rev 15-16. The fight is spurred on by the relentless, never give up sparing of Satan. All along the way, in every section there is a call for repentance and an outpouring of God’s grace.

Just a quick review of these three sections:

· In chapters 6,7 – the seven seals – 25% of God’s judgement was felt in the world.

· In chapters 8-14 – the seven trumpets – 33% of God’s judgement was felt on the earth and we saw more clearly the presence of Satan as he appeared as a dragon, trying to destroy Christ from the moment of His birth.

· Today, chapters 15-16 – the seven bowls of wrath – 100% of God’s judgement is felt. It is a picture of God’s judgement that is to come on those who have refused to repent.

In the other sections I have emphasized the big picture of what is going on and the historical background. Today I want to take a little bit different approach today. I don’t want dwell on the past but rather on the future.

I believe these chapters we will look at today give us a picture of the future as it leads up to His coming. There is application in the first century and a call for people to change their ways but I think it is also God’s warning of what the future holds for those who refuse to turn to God.

· The bowls of wrath represent the judgement of God on those whose refuse to repent of their evil ways and reject God.

Chapter 15 is at the end of the 7th trumpet of the previous chapter. It continues the heavenly celebration and triumph over the attacks of Satan against God’s people. It is also a transition to the 7 Bowls of Wrath that pronounce the judgement of God on the earth.

I have broken down the text into 4 sections that all show something about the final events before the return of Jesus.

1. The Final Scene is Set

a. The followers of Jesus are giving praise and worship to God for His power over Satan - 15 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues — last, because with them God's wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:

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b. "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

i. What they are basically saying is “God, you are so great and powerful, how could anyone not see that and see that your ways are right and just?”

ii. What follows is the answer to that – not everyone recognized the power and glory of God, they rather turned to Satan and his ways and now they are receiving the judgement of God.

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c. 5 After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.

d.Then a transition takes place. The final picture of God’s eternal plan. The picture of God having the final word.

e. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

f. The scene is set. God’s judgement is coming.

g. In some ways we are in that transition period today. As more and more people turn against God and refuse to accept His truth, the closer and closer we are coming to God’s judgement.

2. The Final Chance is Given

a. Rev 16:1 - 11 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth." 2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.   3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.   4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

                                                i.     What is the big picture being painted? It is not a pretty one. One of suffering.

                                               ii.     The things that come out of the bowls of wrath are similar to the 10 plagues of Egypt when God was passing judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptians

                                             iii.     Then the scene pauses and we are reminded that God is the one who is Holy and just. He is the only one worthy to bring judgement.

b. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; 6 for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, (who is “they”? The ones who opposed the Christians and put them to death) and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." 7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."

i. It is almost as if the angel is saying, “For those of you who think this is pretty harsh, let me remind you of what those who follow Satan have done and that God is in charge.
ii. After that brief reminder is given, John goes on to describe the judgement.

c. 8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

d. There is time for people to repent and turn to God. The seals and the trumpets were a warning, a call to wake up and turn to God.

e. This is similar to the OT prophets who warned Israel that if they did not turn from their evil ways, they would suffer and be carried off into captivity.

f. God desires that none perish but that all receive eternal life.

g. But in order to receive eternal life, you have to accept the eternal God.

h. John truthfully states that not everyone will choose God and they will bear the judgement of God.

3. The Final Battle is Fought

a. 12 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. 13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (What are this talking about? The next verse interprets for us) 14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

b. The next verse is interesting – it is the words of Jesus – a reminder of the message He gave while He was on earth - stay alert, stay focused, for the end is near – all reminiscent of Matthew 24, 25
15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."

c. Then comes a verse that has gotten a lot of attention over the years - 16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

d. Armageddon

i. The only time the word is used in the Bible.

                           ii.     It literally means “the mountain of Megiddo.” Megiddo is a real place, though it is not a mountain, it is a large plain, many miles wide and long, located in northern Israel. It was a place where Israel experienced a miraculous deliverance from her enemies by God in Judges 4-5 during the period of Deborah being God’s appointed leader, judge.

     iii.     Some feel the word Armageddon – the mountain of Megiddo – is used because mountains symbolize power and here it represents God’s presence and protection.

iv. Ironically, we usually associate Armageddon as something awful and destructive. Hollywood and some authors of books series have certainly developed this idea.

                            v.     But the imagery of the “mountain of Megiddo” can be a symbolic term designating the strength and protection of God over His people.

                           vi.     It is a positive place for God’s people because God’s power over Satan is made manifest.

                         vii.     What is interesting that the Revelation doesn’t make that big of deal about a big battle. In fact, what happens is not much of a battle at all. What is described in the following verses and it seems to be one strong, decisive blow from God to Satan and his forces. The final “smackdown” of Satan.

4. The Final Word is Spoken

a. 17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

b. Satan is brought down and chapters 17-19 elaborate on the take down.

What does all of that have to do with us? It gives us a big picture of God’s judgement. Chapters 15 & 16 are a picture of God’s wrath on non-believers in the world, with the desire that they would come to Him before the final judgement. With that as the context I want us to think about God’s judgement and ask some valid questions.

5. Does God have the authority to judge mankind?

a. Short answer – Yes

b. He is the creator and sustainer of the earth.

i. Ps 9:7 The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.

ii. John 1:3-4 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

c. He is the one who determines what is right and wrong.

6. Is judgement necessary? Yes

a. Justice demands judgement

b. Earlier in Revelation we find those who had been killed for their faith saying this: "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"

c. Ps 94:14-15 For the Lord will not reject His people; he will never forsake his inheritance. 15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

d. Here is one of the clearest passages in the New Testament on God’s judgment: Rom 2:6-11 6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

7. When will it happen?

a. When you least expect it

b. Matt 24:42-44 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

8. How do I prepare?

a. Accept Jesus

i. John 14:6-7 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

ii. Rom 10:9-12 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

iii. Acts 2:38-39 - 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."

b. Remain faithful

i. Jude 17-21 - 17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

ii. Rev 2:10 Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

God Has the Final Word Handout

Rev 15,16

Just a quick review of these three sections:

· In chapters 6,7 – the seven seals – 25% of God’s judgement

· In chapters 8-14 – the seven trumpets – 33% of God’s judgement

· Today, chapters 15-16 – the seven bowls of wrath – 100% of God’s judgement is felt.

1. The Final Scene is Set Rev 15

a. What makes people not recognize the power and glory of God?

b. God’s judgement is coming.

c. How are we in a transition period today?

2. The Final Chance is Given Rev 16:1-11

a. What is the big picture being painted?

b. The scene pauses and we are reminded that God is the one who is Holy and just.

c. Who is “they” in verse 6?

d. There is time for people to repent and turn to God and God desires that none perish but that all receive eternal life. But in order to receive eternal life, you have to accept the eternal God.

3. The Final Battle is Fought – Vs. 12 – 16

a. How does Satan manifest his power?

b. What have you heard about Armageddon? Does it line up with Rev 16?

c. Armageddon
i. The only time the word is used in the Bible.

ii. It literally means “the mountain of Megiddo.”

iii. But the imagery of the “mountain of Megiddo” can be a symbolic term designating the strength and protection of God over His people.

4. The Final Word is Spoken Vs. 17-21

a. "It is ________________"

5. Does God have the authority to judge mankind? __________

a. He is the creator and sustainer of the earth.

i. Ps 9:7

ii. John 1:3-4

b. He is the one who determines what is right and wrong.

6. Is judgement necessary? _____________

a. Justice demands judgement

b. Ps 94:14-15

c. Here is one of the clearest passages in the New Testament on God’s judgment: Rom 2:6-11

7. When will it happen? ___________________________________

a. Matt 24:42-44

8. How do I prepare?

a. Accept _____________

i. John 14:6-7
ii. Rom 10:9-12

iii. Acts 2:38-39

b. Remain ____________________

i. Jude 17-21
ii. Rev 2:10