When it comes to how to respond to the righteous judgment of God, we only have two options. We can worship in wonder or we can wave a rebel fist. There is no middle ground, no gray area, no third option. Just worship or rebellion, reverence or revolt.
Here in Revelation 15–16, we see a picture of the wrath of God poured out. It’s a terrifying image, bowls filled to the brim with the righteous judgment of God. As squeamish as God’s wrath may make us, deep down, we know He is justified. We look around at mankind and inwardly at our own wicked hearts and must repeat the cry of heaven:
“They deserve it!”…
“Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”
—Revelation 16:6–7
Notice that in these passages, no one is arguing with God’s justice. No scales are needed to weigh and consider the justice of God. Over and over we read that these grisly judgments are in line with a fair and true God. This is justice in its purest form. And yet it’s possible, even when His justice is deserved and devastating, to choose insurrection over His goodness and mercy. Though the judgments certainly take center stage here, there is still an undercurrent of the people’s rebellion within these passages:
They “blasphemed the name of God…and they did not repent and give him glory” (v.9).
They “blasphemed the God of heaven…they did not repent of their works” (v.11).
They “blasphemed God” (v.21).
Consider those pummeled by the final bowl of wrath. Though buried under hailstones weighing a hundred pounds, they still shook rebel fists at God. If we are honest with our own hearts, we see that our own rebellious streak runs just as deep. Our own eye for justice is just as distorted.
But God, in His infinite mercy has unclenched our rebel fists. We are shielded from God’s ultimate judgment and are now “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Instead of continuing in rebellion, God’s grace has taught us to respond like Israel when the nation witnessed God’s wrath on Pharaoh and His men.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD. They said:
I will sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted;
he has thrown the horse
and its rider into the sea….
LORD, who is like you among the gods?
Who is like you, glorious in holiness,
revered with praises, performing wonders?
—Exodus 15:1,11
God’s righteous wrath isn’t all penned up for the day of judgment. Even now He judges the wicked. Even now He has the right to rule our hearts and lives. When face to face with His judgment we only have two options. Because He is so worthy, may we choose to worship the God who is just.
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71 thoughts on "The Seven Bowls"
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Oh my word, y’all … I just finished going through the weekly podcast and feel like I need to listen at least two more times through to get it all. The perspective of the view looking backwards was helpful to really build connections back to the Old Testament. So often I feel like I am missing some much of the depth, when in reality my perspective is off. I also appreciated the idea of sketching out the images that are being portrayed. Another thankful moment was hearing that some of my questions aren’t too far fetched or digging to grasp something that isn’t there or isn’t important in the grand picture.
I’m doing the study on my phone and struggling to reply. There are so many good comments! Thank you. I found when I read Revelations I feel emotional. Like I could cry. There are so many that are lost. And so many believers that may rebel.
This has been wonderful and challenging! To pray for the lost more and be bolder!
Praying for Seth’s transition home and his family. Praying for a good outcome Mari.
Praying for all the requests!
All the sevens remind me of Brandon Lake’s Sevens song.
Our God is worthy of all praise and the entirety of our heart, lives and worship!!!
Exodus 15:17-18-
Lord, your hands have established the sanctuary.
18 The Lord will reign forever and ever!
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Wiersbe’s notes on Exodus 15:3 (partial)-
The statement “The Lord is a man of war” may upset people who feel that anything relating to warfare is alien to the gospel and the Christian life. Some denominations have taken the “militant” hymns out of their hymnals, including “Onward Christian Soldiers.” But Moses promised the people, “The Lord will fight for you” (14:14; see Deut. 1:30), and one of God’s names is “Jehovah Sabaoth,” which means “Lord of hosts (armies),” a title that’s used 285 times in the Old Testament. This aspect of God’s character is the theme of the famous Reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. … “To emphasize only “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16) and eliminate “God is light” (1 John 1:5) is to rob God of His attributes of righteousness, holiness, and justice.”
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Revelation 16:17 reminded me of Jesus’ words in John 19:30.
NKJV of v. 17 says “It is done.”
On that, John MacArthur said, “‘It is done!’ is best translated, ‘It has been and will remain done’ (cf. John 19:30). God will punctuate the completion of His wrath with a devastating earthquake—the most powerful in earth’s history (cf. vv. 19–21).”
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“It has been and will remain done.” Amen!
Thinking of the old song,
It Is Finished (Bill and Gloria Gaither).
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Love, hugs,and prayers. Let’s show our gratitude to our great and mighty God in our worship this weekend.
I am so glad you shared that from Wiersbe! I too, feel like so many people are focused on God’s love only. The old testament is still crucial and relevant. It is all useful for instruction. God is just. He is the Lord of Armies!
Amen! ❤
It has been and will remain done.❤️ Just mind blowing.
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Completion sticks out to me today.
Seven angels. Seven last plagues. God’s wrath completed.
Seven is mentioned seven times in Chapter 15.
He is so merciful to give us a chance to repent. Time and time again. Yet still they blaspheme God. Makes me think of so many stories in the Old Testament. Completion. Such hope.
Wrath and judgement is needed to deal with evil. God is a God of love and He must judge evil. It breaks his heart but evil cannot be in the new creation.
Completion. Thank you Jesus, for your plan to make all things right. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess. I so look forward to the day that your glory is made complete. That there will be a day that no one blasphemes you ever again. You deserve the GLORY, Father! You deserve the glory!
I see our minds were on similar tracks today. ❤☺
Happy Friday shes. Recently I was listening to a prophetic voice, a very humble vessel that God has chosen to proclaim the warnings on these last days. He is a great watchman. He said that he saw the elite, the wealthy of the world who don’t know God building bunkers, tunnels and houses underground quietly to stay away from potential turmoil. They are preparing already. They know what is about to happen. And the voice of God said they could not hide from the wrath to come. And Scriptures today confirms there will be a great earthquake so strong that it will shake (“and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake pas had not occurred since men were on the earth”). This gives me chills. The 100 lbs hailstone also got my attention. That is like a garden boulder size, many will fall down from the sky. I am glad that Jen Wilkin mentioned in the podcast there are many parallels in Exodus and Revelations. Our church did two studies with Jen last year (called the God of Freedom, God of Deliverance, both are deep dives from Exodus). She is an amazing teacher. Anyhow, In Exodus, when hailstones fell down in one of the plagues in Egypt, it killed livestock and people who did not seek shelter fast enough (“Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast; it beat down every plant of the field and stripped every tree” Exodus 9:25). So I did a little research on hailstone size. A hailstone accelerates downward due to gravity until it reaches its maximum speed of falling (terminal velocity). And this terminal velocity depends on size, shape, air resistance, wind conditions. Estimated terminal velocities: Pea-sized hail: 20–25 mph, Golf ball-sized: 50–60 mph, Baseball-sized: 80–90 mph, Extremely large hail: 100+ mph. A 100-pound (45 kg) hailstone is far beyond anything physically possible in earth’s atmosphere. Something that heavy would hit like a speed of a car crash. How scary is that. May we pray for the lost, for repentant and softened heart, pray against spiritual blindness and pride, that a new heart and new spirit be given (new soil that retains the gospel seed), that they encounter God’s kindness, and that the laborers (including us) be sent to the field to help bring in the harvest of souls. The charge for the last days, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” Matthew 9:37-38. May we pray for willing hearts and the protection over the laborers. Be blessed dear sisters.
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Lord Almighty,
You are righteous to over throw – not overlook – my wrongful ways & words.
Rescue Your daughter for her sins are many! Coveting & controlling …
Headstrong & hiding …
By Your Grace,
forgive & fashion me
Into a new creation.
And to You be the Glory.
Thanks be to God.
Amen Gwineth!
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I love the imagery that Erin gave of “God in His infinite mercy has unclenched our rebel fists.” We were chosen, “in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” Ephesians 1:4). Thanks be to God!
❤ Yes, and when I read that I pictured fists opening and raised in praise!
Such sobering passages today. God pours His judgement on those who have rejected Him – and rightly so. The judgements are harsh and painful. Festering blisters – I can’t imagine, I have one little slit on my finger from the cold weather and it hurts like heck, I can not fathom these ugly, painful sores covering the whole body!…and no clean refreshing water to drink, when laden with thirst – all there is, is blood! If that weren’t enough – the scorching sun on the blister infested body with no water to sooth the thirst!…and God’s wrath continues. But still, they do not repent. Instead they curse God and blaspheme His name.
I don’t know about you, but I think I would be begging God for His mercy and forgiveness. But they are to far gone. How tragic. How sad. I pray to God that those I love (and those I don’t even know) will call upon God for salvation, before it’s to late.
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Father God, You who are Just and True, please work in the hearts of those we love, and those we don’t even know but are lost. Woo them to You by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Save them from the wrath to come. Call them to be Your beloved. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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Song that comes to mind today – Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin.
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Happy Friday She’s, praying God’s richest blessings on you today! ❤️
Amen and amen.
I thought of Holy Forever as well, or maybe it came on the radio! I thought of how painful shingles are, even though I myself have not had them. :(
Amen. Praying with you for the lost Sharon.
Adding my amen to your prayer. Love that song. Haven’t heard it in a while. ❤
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Ouch! I get those splits in cold weather, too! ❤
Wow… my heart breaks for the unrepentant hearts that have no idea (or maybe they do and don’t care…) Either way, it’s not good. (Insert sad face emoji.)
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Let’s keep praying for those lost ones, sweet She’s! ❤️
Amen!❤️
I will choose to worship the God who is just. YES, I will! Agree fully there is no middle ground. Either we are for HIM (our JESUS) or we’re not. I choose JESUS! What great timing of this devotion and I feel strengthened and encouraged by the HIS Word as He goes before me this morning in court. I know my Jesus goes before me. I feel LOVED and encouraged and strengthened by your prayers. Last night before I went to bed, my son Caleb said, “Mom, Alyssa and I are coming to your room to pray for you.” MY heart! Both prayed over me and even prayed for their dad They prayed for strength that they both know ONLY comes from God! I felt loved and supported! I love my kiddos SO much! I once told them (and several times afterwards) that I don’t regret getting married to their dad because I wouldn’t have had them. They are my everything! They are my world! BUT God….Caleb and Alyssa also know MY JESUS is my FIRST love, then it’s them! It was a sweet time of prayer and encouragement. My hearing is at 8:30 PST. I’ve turned in as much as I know to turn in. I’m showing up this morning in faith that if I’m missing anything,the judge can let me know and I’ll take care of it. Love you sweet SRT sisters! Happy Friday!
Praying Mari❤️
❤️ I have your court appt. on my calendar. Many prayers for you, sweet Mari. Know you’ll keep us posted…
I’m praying for you.
Praying along for wisdom for the judge and strength to carry you through! Bravo for those kids!!! {heart}
Praying for you this morning Mari! What a blessing and joy to your heart that must have been to have your children pray for you…There is no greater joy. ❤️
Praying Mari, what sweet and loving children they are. You are a wonderful mom.
OH MY HEART..that is so beautiful!! I am glad you texted me, unlike these other beautiful sisters, I had forgotten! Your love for the Lord is always palpable and strong through your words!! I pray you “put your fear and anxiousness on the Lord!” For he gives us peace! Him and Him alone. I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength, amen and amen!!
Beautiful that your kids are praying for you, Mari. Thanks for sharing!
Praying!
Praying Mari. What a beautiful gift to have your kids praying.❤️
Over and over and over the stubborn of heart push away from surrender. Even with terrible consequences, and wrath instead of saying, “save me!”, the rebellion intensifies. Goodness… doesn’t that take more strength and determination than just falling to our knees with hands lifted high? I have always loved the picture that is concurred up in my mind from Moses song in Exo.
“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Its victory, its overcoming, its strength, its deliverance.
Lord, give us boldness and courage to be strong as we live for you. May our hearts be surrendered and receptive of your forgiveness, seeking to honor you, proclaim your Salvation and live for you with our praise lifted high. Amen
I lost my (long) comment, but much like yours. We are so stubborn, even with evidence around us with evil, illnesses, and BIG natural disasters…
I too, really read that prayer the Isaraelites prayed and sung after the GReat Sea parting, but then thought— Did they really start complaining 3 days later?? Yes, they did and we do. Ugh!!
Lord, forgive our wayward hearts. Forgive us our pride, our dumbness. Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear! For your mercies never fail, and your grace is abounding!! Let us not get complacent Lord, let us not get comfortable- for the battle is raging, time is short, let us be on guard, and go and do your will daily!! Let my heart be humble and open! You are my living water, my daily bread, the lamp at my feet. May I surrender to your will. For it will be done, it is all coming SO fast. People get ready…(a song coming to mind) People get ready…Saints stay strong and prayed up, Holy Spirit fall on us, infill us daily!
You are our all and all. Let us Glorify your Might Name!! Jesus is the King of kings, the LORD of all. Thank you for the blood applied! You are our Savior and Healer! May your word be on my lips always.
Pray please for Shalan (a butterfly). She had pain yesterday and was admitted for emergency gallbladder surgery today. She is alone, so I hope to go see her and be there when she comes out!
Praying for Shalan that God’s hand be with her to protect and to heal. So sorry how things compiled on her.
Yeah, it always seems like all at once. He car was out of commission for a week or so too, but it is fixed now! She just got half custody back for her just turned 3 year old!! So that is great. Will you pray with me Mercy that her and her husband will get back together. They had filed for divorce to be in December, but I am praying they put that off and rekindle the relationship, for them and their little girl. Shalan wants that too!! (heart) Also, Stacey fell away from our church and mentoring, and now has been arrested again on drug charges. (The world just keeps pulling them back..:() But I made contact with her (she is in a different county,so she won’t be in our group unfortunately)But she is embarrassed, sad, BUT thanks God that He once again saved her from the direction she was in and has repented, and already sharing God with her bunkies and more. So—God will use it to keep getting her to her destination. Please pray for her! (heart kixx)
Praying for Shalon and Stacy.
Praying for Shalon and Stacey
No worries on Stacy. The Lord got her. Her heart is discouraged but give her time. How strong you must be RHONDA to witness all these things and stay faithful. Great work sister! It will be well, thus says the Lord.
Father we come together in agreement to call forth healing, protection and unity for the family of our sister Shalann. We call forth healing for her family, we pray against any demonic hindrance and from the flesh, let all be removed. Any traces of bitterness, pain, hurt, trauma, resentment, let it be healed and be gone. For the sake of the 3 year old child, we pray for the restoration of her parents’ marriage, the forgiveness. We lift this fragile and broken family into Your hard. We call any dead and dry bones from this situation to come back to life for the glory of Your Name. Let eyes see, hearts be softened, hope restored. Bring back your daughter Stacy. Please remove her shame and guilt and discouragement. Restore what is lost. Rekindle the fire for You within Stacy. Bring her back to Your fold. Open new doors for Stacy and bring new strength and new hope into her. Dont let despair and deception capture her heart. Let all of these precious sheep be rescued, delivered for your mercy’s sake, and remain secure in Your Hand. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. And we give You all the glory, the praise, the honor. Amen!
Amen! Thank you sister!!
❤ Amen
Amen
I’m praying for all your requests, dear sisters (as always)!
MARI V—special prayers for you today!
Hi dear Lynn! How’s the job going?! Praying for you as you go through the Holidays without your dear Jack. Hugs!
AW….thank you Lynne!! I feel so loved and encouraged!
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It’s hard to imagine loved ones who haven’t been saved experiencing this kind of judgment! Make Heaven Crowded ladies. | Seth update: His tentative discharge date to move back home is Dec 5th! His family have made the accommodations necessary for him to be at home. This brings a lot of grief and complex emotions though as they continue to adjust to this new normal for them!
Susan, thank you for the update on Seth. How hard this “new normal” must be. It’s been a long road, and even longer still. Praying that God will give grace and strength to all and praising Him that He spared Seth’s life in that terrible accident.
Yes, his sister who is my close friend said she is grieving the life they thought he would once have. It’s very sobering and yet inspiring.
Rev. 16:15 “Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed, so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.”
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Lord, may Your people stay clothed in Your righteousness, enduringuntil the end all that is wrong is made right.
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MARI V – the Lord be with you and strengthen you for your court hearing today. He has your back!
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MOLLIE – how is your husband?
YOU are so sweet Kelly, Thank you!! I’m feeling strengthened and encouraged!!
The stubborn, hardened hearts of those suffering the pain and torment of the wrath of God … heartbreaking to the end that they continue to blaspheme God, never repenting nor giving Him the glory of which He’s worthy.
Praise His Holy Name.
Praying, Lord, for the lost today.
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RACHEL (CO) “I’m not there yet, but I can see “there” from where I stand … lol. When you get “there”, you’ll find it brings a whole new meaning to ‘time flies’❤️
MERCY, CEE GEE , SHARON JERSEY GIRL, RHONDA J, KELLY (NEO) and other sisters – thank you for sharing your questions, insights and research ❤️
I smiled when I read Rachel’s comment. Heeheehee! ❤️
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What comes to mind this morning for me Ladies, is that since Genesis 3, we have been reading about mankind’s utter rebellion towards God and His commands. In His amazing longsuffering patience, God continues to give us chance after chance at repentance and salvation. But one day, His patience and offer of forgiveness will have reached it’s end and His true and just judgements will come upon the earth. Then we will see that evil will not ultimately go unpunished – all the hard, tragic things I often wonder why God doesn’t deal with will be dealt with. And His wrath and judgement is fierce.
It’s a good reminder to continue to share the gospel with all we meet and pray for a revival in this nation!
Blessings on your Friday!
Amen, Sally
Yes Sally, God is unbelievably long suffering and patient. May people’s eyes be opened and respond to His love.
Amen Sally!!
Amen!
Yes…what a patient Lord we have.
Amen ❤️
Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace.
❤️ Amen, indeed!
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