The Wrath of God

The last session we will deal with depicts the events that will comprise God’s wrath in the Day of the Lord. These events are foretold in the book of Revelation symbolized by the sounding of the seven trumpets and the pouring out of the seven bowls.

 As we focus on the wrath of God, we will be narrowing in on the Day of the Lord that takes place as the saints of God are raptured from the earth to heaven.

Rev 8:1-6 (NIV) When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. {2} And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. {3} Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. {4} The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. {5} Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. {6} Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. (emphasis added)

The division of the trumpets and bowls in the book of Revelation allow us to separate God’s wrath into two parts that we will call the “beginning wrath” and the “final wrath.” The wrath of God will begin as the seventh seal (Rev 8:1-6) on the scroll of “The Day of the Lord” is broken and the scroll is opened.

The First Trumpet

 Rev 8:7 (NIV) The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

As the first trumpet sounds a fiery hail storm burns up 1/3 of the earth. We are told 1/3 of the trees and all green grass are also affected.

The Second Trumpet

Rev 8:8-9 (NIV) The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, {9} a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (emphasis added)

At the second trumpet, something like a volcano is described either erupting or crashing into the sea. It kills 1/3 of sea-life and turns 1/3 of the seas into blood.

The Third Trumpet

 Rev 8:10-11 (NIV) The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water– {11} the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. (emphasis added)

At the third trumpet it appears a meteor or meteor shower strikes the earth and spoils 1/3 of all fresh water. Names in the Bible give meaning and significance – and here this meteor is named Wormwood. Wormwood is defined as “a nonpoisonous but bitter plant common to the Middle East. Wormwood often is used in analogy to speak of bitterness and sorrow” (Holman Bible Dictionary).

 The Fourth Trumpet

 Rev 8:12-13 (NIV) The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night. {13} As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!” (emphasis added)

At the fourth trumpet a third of the day and night become darkness. There is also a warning that things are about to get worse.

The Fifth Trumpet

Rev 9:1-12 (NIV) The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. {2} When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. {3} And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. {4} They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. {5} They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. {6} During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. {7} The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. {8} Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. {9} They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. {10} They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. {11} They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon. {12} The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.

The Sixth Trumpet

Rev 9:13-21 (NIV) The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. {14} It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” {15} And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. {16} The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. {17} The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. {18} A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. {19} The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. {20} The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood–idols that cannot see or hear or walk. {21} Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

The Small Scroll

 Rev 10:1-3 (NIV) Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. {2} He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, {3} and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. (emphasis added)

The small scroll signifies that the work of the large scroll is complete and now the small scroll is opened.

Events Completed by Large Scroll

• Daniel’s 70th Week is completed (Dan 9:24)

• Israel’s transgression will be completed

• Israel’s sin will be ended

• Israel’s iniquity will be atoned for

• The Times of the Gentiles will be fulfilled (Luke 21:24)

• The Fullness of the Gentiles will have come in (Rom 11:25)

• The first woe is completed (Rev. 9:12)

• The 6th Trumpet Judgment is finished (Rev. 11:13-19)

• The 3½ year ministry of the two witnesses will be done (Rev 11:7)

Rev 10:4 (NIV) And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” {5} Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. {6} And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! {7} But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” {8} Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” {9} So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” {10} I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.  (emphasis added)

Sweet:

• God’s gracious redemption of Israel

• The completion of the spiritual Kingdom of God

Sour:

• Final wrath of God

• Worst ever to be poured out on man

Rev 10:11 – 11:2 (NIV) Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” {11:1} I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. {2} But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. {3} And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth… {5} If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. {6} These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. {7} Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. (emphasis added)

As the large scroll completes, the ministry of the two witnesses comes to a close and the 30 day reclamation period begins…

Rev 11:11-14 (NIV) But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. {12} Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. {13} At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. {14} The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. (emphasis added)

Events Initiated by the Small Scroll

• The 30 day Reclamation period begins (Dan 12:11)

• Everlasting righteousness will be brought in to Israel (Dan 9:24)

• Seal up vision and prophecy (Dan 9:24)

• Death and resurrection of two witnesses (Rev 11:7,11-12)

• The second woe is completed (Rev 11:14)

• The seventh trumpet is sounded (Rev 11:15)

• Almighty God begins His reign over earth (Rev 11:17)

• The last of God’s wrath begins (Rev 11:18, 15:1)

The Seventh Trumpet

 Rev 11:15 (NIV) The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.“ (emphasis added)

Rev 15:1 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

The Final Wrath

 Rev 15:7-8 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

Now the final wrath of God will be poured out upon those dwelling on the earth. It is symbolized by seven golden bowls that will be poured out upon mankind. We have stated that these judgments will happen quickly, possibly in as little as 25 days.

The First Bowl

 Rev 16:1-2 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

The Second Bowl

 Rev 16:3 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

It is important to note that whereas the trumpets affected 1/3 of the seas, waters, earth, etc. The bowls now affect everything.

The Third Bowl

 Rev 16:4-7 (NIV) The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. {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, 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.” (emphasis added)

The Fourth Bowl

 Rev 16:8-9 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

Note that even in the intense throe’s of judgment, people still are hard-hearted and refuse to repent. Even in the pouring out of His wrath – God’s goal is that people may finally recognize Him and repent of their selfish ways.

The Fifth Bowl

 Rev 16:10-11 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

The description of the “pain and sores” refers back to the first bowl judgment, which shows the rapid progression of these judgments.

The Sixth Bowl

 Rev 16:12-16 (NIV) 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. {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. {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.” {16} Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (emphasis added)

The Seventh Bowl

Rev 16:17-21 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

The Bowl Judgments

•  They happen quickly possibly in as little as 25 days

• The trumpet judgments affect 1/3 of mankind

• The bowl judgments affect all mankind

Armageddon

Rev 19:17-21 (NIV) And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, {18} so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” {19} Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. {20} But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. {21} The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. (emphasis added)

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