Revelation Revealed, #25: Rev. 16 | Jim Hammond
Recap
Pastor Jim gave his 25th teaching in his series entitled, “Revelation Revealed.” He finished up his teaching on Revelation chapter 16, where he talked about the last two bowl judgments. At this point in the 7-year tribulation, the world knows that these judgments are coming from God, yet humanity stubbornly refuses to repent and continues to blaspheme God.
Dive Deeper
Pastor Jim gave a brief review of all the events that took place up until the bowl judgments.
In the last message, we studied the first five bowl judgments:
- The first bowl judgment was poured out and painful sores fell on those that had taken the mark of the beast.
- The second bowl judgment was poured onto the sea where it turned into blood and everything in the sea died.
- The third bowl judgment was poured out onto the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood.
- The fourth bowl was poured out upon the sun, which scorched men with fire.
- The fifth bowl was poured out upon the seat of the beast, and it became dark.
The Sixth Bowl Judgment
Verse 12–14 “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
The water is dried up so kings to the east are able to cross it to join the battle of Armageddon. Pastor Jim noted that the Euphrates is already in the process of drying up.
The three unclean spirits that come out of dragon, beast, and false prophet are called, by some, as the “Satanic trinity.”
Pastor Jim talked briefly on the phenomenon of the many UFO encounters of late in the headlines and what it could possibly mean with regard to the end times.
Verse 15
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” The Second Coming of Jesus will be a complete surprise. The church is gone in the rapture. The believers must be ready at all times.
Pastor Jim said he speculated before on whether there are any believers at this point on the earth who have never taken the mark? This verse proves that there will be.
God is the one who will gather these kings to fight in the battle of Armageddon. But Antichrist will think it’s his idea. He will not realize this is God’s plan.
The place where Armageddon will be fought is a super historic place where many battles have been fought.
The Seventh Bowl Judgment
Verse 17–19: “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. 18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” This earthquake shatters the world. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.”
There are two opinions on the identity of the “Great City” that will be split into three parts. One commentator says that it is Jerusalem. Others say Babylon.
Verse 21
“And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.”
Hail will fall out of heaven the weight of a talent. There is disagreement on the weight of a talent; some say it’s 60 pounds and others say it’s 135.
These boulders will fall on men. Men will blaspheme God because of this great hail of boulders falling on them. Pastor Jim asked, “What was the Old Testament penalty for blaspheming God?” He answered, “Stoning.”
Read About It
Revelation 16:13–14, “I saw three unclean spirits, like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
1st Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
Isaiah 24:19–23, “The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. 23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”
Discussion Questions
As all these bowl judgments are poured out, those still alive on the earth will know it is God’s judgment, yet they will refuse to repent. And, instead, they will continue to blaspheme God. Why do you suppose they refused to repent when they knew God was judging them?
If you were to speculate, why do you think the recent UFO sightings have increased at this time?
The believers were told to “keep their garments” and to watch. What do you suppose it means to keep their garments?