The Seven Bowls
Open Your Bible
Revelation 15:1-8, Revelation 16:1-21, Exodus 15:1-18
BY Erin Davis
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.
22 thoughts on "The Seven Bowls"
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Angie.. that is so funny… I was worshipping this morning too… bit with ALL my doors and windows open.. and it crossed my mind about people walking past.. for the glory of God was my thought!
Will continue to worship and praise the One who gives new mercies each day.. who gives us a way out of our sins… who could, but doesn’t wage wrath over us…
Here and now thankful to you O Wonderful, loving, protective, gracious, life giving God. Thank you God. Thank you.
Blessings and prayers for a God present weekend sisters whatever you are doing…hugs.
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Even in the midst of the 7 plagues, God is graciously providing yet another opportunity for the lost to be saved – wow. Don’t you think that the enormity of the disasters resulting from the plagues would be enough to get the attention of those suffering – for them to understand and accept God’s gift of salvation? The evil one – so seductive in the methods to lure people away from the truth, the lies are so believable. Lord Jesus, may Your truth, love and salvation be known to all.
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This morning I tried to sing the worship song in Exodus. It’s good that God knows I my heart wanted it to be a form of worship…I’m also glad I was the only one around at the time. :) .
Yesterday was my last day for the school year with this group of public school students. It was the most challenging year I have had in 28 years of teaching – which doesn’t change my love for each one of the children, but was exhausting. God provided and was present every step of the way. People have prayed me through this year and held up my arms in the battle, and we won! Truly, children were shown the love of God and cared for to the best of our ability in a school day. Today is a work day. So, in my classroom today – I’m going to make up my own song of worship and praise to my Father for His tender mercy and care during this year. I expect it will be much like this morning – all over the place in regard to tune and rhythms – (I better keep my door shut) ;) but I bet it will bring a smile to the Father’s face, and that is what my heart longs for. He, only He, my Lord and my God, deserves ALL the glory and the praise. Amen.-
I so appreciate your comments. I too am near the end of my 28th year in He classroom and this year has been a hard one. Through God’s divine intervention, I was blessed to see His hand at work but some days I was more focused on the waves crashing around me—yesterday was one of those days and I have been awake for hours praying and lamenting and praying and stewing and praying. I am grateful for your words of praise and perspective after a sleepless night!
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These passages are so hard! Partly because I can see myself.
Father forgive me for my rebellion. Forgive me when my heart is hard, when I am disobedient going my own way, shaking my fists, hardening my jaw and my heart. Thank You, thank You for all the times You have poured out Your mercy on me instead of the wrath that I deserve. Thank you Yeshua for redeeming my life so that I belong to You forever.-
I felt the same way. The older I get the more I see just how rebellious I can be. Praise God for Jesus. May I always be willing to repent. Even now the Lord brings things to my mind from my past that I really didn’t think about as I was doing it. Manipulation, acts of jealousy, anger. Seeing our true selves at times is devastating, but God!!
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Hroughout these chapters in Revelations I feel like John, a spectator to what is to come. It fascinates me that John offers little commentary on what he sees playing out before him. He reiterates all that he witnessed in this experience with awe and in detail. I too am in awe of the might, majesty, wrath, totality of our God. I too am not exactly sure what all of this means specifically in context of when, where, how, or in some cases even who. But I do see what. God is just and will right all wrongs-and here, the wrongs against those who continue to refuse to give their lives over to trusting and honoring God. How must John have felt seeing that even through his lifetime of witness to the truth of God through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection? To see that in the end there will still be a world that won’t accept the truth of God’s sovereignty and mercy, and that the world will be held accountable. Even as an old man this must’ve heightened Johns sense of urgency to continue to spread the gospel. I know that is how I am feeling. Thank you, dear God for the reminder that time is short and all will have to make the choice for reverence or rebellion. Make my spirit bold for the Gospel and give me your Word to speak plainly with compassion and urgency.
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For those who are struggling to understand everything, I found a study book called “Book of Revelation through a women’s eyes” by Bari Blair. She breaks down each verse and even though I am on chapter one, it is helping me understand. I borrowed it on Hoopla.
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Thanks for sharing! I feel like I have no idea what I’m reading!
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Thanks for sharing! I might check it ouy
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Hroughout these chapters in Revelations I feel like John, a spectator to what is to come. It fascinates me that John offers no commentary
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There is a third option in response to God’s righteous judgment. We can worship or rebel or, third option here: repent. We can ask for His forgiveness. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. Then we will worship in gratitude.
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I believe repentance would fall under the worship category here. I think they were just making two broad choices/sides you can can take.
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