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Revelation (16:1-11) God Intervenes Part 6

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John Fok

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Nov 9, 1997, 3:00:00 AM11/9/97

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Revelation (16:1-11) God Intervenes Part 6

Hello,

The same passage can be found at:
http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/Revelation/9GodIntervenes.htm

8. THE BOWL JUDGMENTS (16:1-21)

In order to keep the chronological sequence and order of the Tribulation
events in mind, let's review several points about the seven seals, trumpets,
and the seven bowls, which together make up the Tribulation judgments:

1.. Since there are no judgments described with the opening of the seventh
seal as with the previous six, and since the seven trumpets judgments follow
immediately (8:1-6), it seems evident that the seventh seal consists of the
seven trumpets.

2.. The seventh and final trumpet judgment (11:15-19) does not describe
one specific judgment as with the other six trumpets, but signifies that
whole part of the Tribulation program of God's wrath that will, at the end,
bring in the kingdom through the return of Christ. However, it will also
cause great anger and rebellion on the part of the unbelieving world. Only
the results of the seventh trumpet are described in Revelation 11:15-19. The
judgments themselves, which make up the seventh trumpet and which accomplish
the victory described in 11:15-19 are the seven bowl judgments called the
seven plagues, the last ones (15:1-16:21). The seven bowls are the seventh
trumpet and spell out what the seventh trumpet consists of by way of its
judgments.

3.. Chapters 12-14 were parenthetic with chapter 15 being introductory
to chapter 16 which now takes us to the specific judgments of the seventh
trumpet.

4.. There is a great deal of similarity in the judgments of the trumpets
and bowls. In both, the first series deals with the earth (cf. 8:7 with
16:2), the second series deals with the sea (cf. 8:8-9 with 16:3), the third
series deals with the rivers and fountains of water (cf. 8:10-11 with 16:4),
the fourth series deals with the sun (cf. 8:12 with 16:8), the fifth series
deals with darkness (cf. 8:12 with 16:10), the sixth series deals with the
Euphrates (cf. 9:13-14 with 16:12), and the seventh series deals with
lightnings, thunders, and earthquakes (cf. 11:19b with 16:17-21).

5.. However, a careful study of these two sections will reveal some
striking differences: (a) The first four trumpets deal with only one-third
of the earth while the bowl judgments are universal in scope. (b) The bowls
are also much greater in intensity as well as in degree of coverage and
effect. (c) They fall quickly as a liquid poured out of a bowl and in rapid
succession--like trip hammer blows. It is best, therefore, to see the bowls
as different from the trumpets judgments.

6.. These last seven judgments cause the further hardening of the hearts
of men. Remember they are called plagues and have much the same result on
the world as the plagues of Egypt had on Pharaoh. These plagues will show:
(a) The total rebellion and independence of the creature to his Creator.
Because of the callousness and hardening built up in the hearts of men,
these judgments will result in anger and blasphemy from the heart and mouths
of men rather than fear and reverence and trust. They are hardening plagues
which God uses to His own glory (cf. vss. 9, 11, 21). (b) But these plagues
(bowl judgments) will crush man's rebellion and remove the rebellious from
the earth. The completion of this will be accomplished by the return of
Christ with His armies (Ezekiel 20:38; Joel 3:2-17; Matthew 13:40-43;
Revelation 19:11-21).

8.1 The First Bowl: Painful Sores (16:1-2)

Verse 16:1

The seven angels are now commanded to pour out their bowl of judgment upon
the earth. John heard what is described as a loud or great voice, probably
the voice of God, coming out of the temple. Our English translations
somewhat obscure an important emphasis of this chapter because of the
various ways they have translated the Greek word megas. Megas means "large,
great, huge, or loud," depending on what it modifies. The NASB, for
instance, translates megas with "loud," "fierce," "great," and "huge," all
good translations, but the English reader might not notice the repetition
whereas the Greek reader will more readily notice the repetition of this
adjective. This emphasizes the intensity or unprecedented nature of what
will begin to take place on earth at this point in the Tribulation. Megas is
used eleven times in this chapter in connection with its events: a great
voice (vss. 1 and 17), a great heat (vs. 9), the great river Euphrates (vs.
12), the great day of God Almighty (vs. 14), "a great earthquake, such as
there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an
earthquake ..." (vs. 18), the great city, Babylon (vs. 19), and great
hailstones (vs. 21).

Verse 16:2

Immediately, in obedience to the voice from the temple, the first angel
"poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant
sore on the men who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image."

"Loathsome" is kakos which means "evil, injurious" and refers to what brings
abut a crippling effect. "Malignant" is poneros which means "active,
malignant" and looks at what is painful, destructive, and even vicious. This
stresses the effect, degree, and intensity.

From Revelation 13:8 it is quite apparent that only a small fraction of the
world will resist the beast, refuse to take his image, and believe in Jesus
Christ. But those who do are now the only ones who escape this judgment and
the judgments which follow. The warning of 14:9-11 against worshipping the
beast and which anticipates his ultimate doom and that of his system is here
confirmed in this preliminary judgment. Note that the beast is unable to
help or heal the sore. "Sore" is helkos and refers to an ulcer-like sore.
This is the word used in the Greek Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word
for boils inflicted on the Egyptians in Exodus 9:9-11.

8.2 The Second Bowl: Seas Smitten (16:3)

The Greek text here is very graphic. Literally it reads, "And it (sea)
became blood as of a dead man," i.e., like a dead man wallowing in his own
blood. Every living thing (sea creature) in the sea will die. Some would try
to limit this to the Mediterranean Sea. However, these judgments are global
and the same word qalassa would be used whether it was one sea or all the
water masses.

Here the judgment is universal. This is global catastrophe. Under the second
trumpet one-third was affected, but now, in keeping with the nature of this
judgment, the rest of the sea and marine life is struck. It will wreck
fishing and it is bound to affect ocean navigation, transportation and
shipping.

8.3 The Third Bowl: Rivers Smitten (16:4-7)

Verse 16:4

This judgment, as with the third trumpet, involves the fresh water supply.
Again, there is no limit; it is global with great devastating effects.
Though the results are not mentioned, they can be imagined. There will be no
pure water except perhaps what will already be stored; none in the rivers
and lakes.

Verse 16:5

"The angel of the waters" is literally, "the angel, the one of the waters."
This apparently refers to an angel who has jurisdiction over the waters of
the earth as one of the varied ministries of angels. As the one in charge of
this area he makes an important statement vindicating the holiness of God
and setting forth the reason in this judgment (vss. 5-6).

Verse 16:6

These apostate and rebellious people have slain and shed the blood of
believers, thus, just as the saints receive rest and reward for their faith,
so these will receive punishment fitting the nature of their crimes. They
have only blood to drink. They have been blood thirsty--now they get their
fill. This gives us another indication that during the Tribulation the
shedding of the blood of believers will be without parallel in history.

The reference in verse 5, "who are and who were" refers to the eternal
essence of God. As the eternal One, one day is as a thousand years and a
thousand years as one day. God is long-suffering but eventually God's
holiness must act and His judgment against sin will be delayed no longer.

Verse 16:7

It deals with another voice adding to the vindication of God's acts. So
again we see an important emphasis: Throughout history Satan has maligned
the character of God who sentenced Satan and his angels to the lake of fire
(Matthew 25:41). This has been displayed in the rebellious hearts of men of
all ages who persistently operate under the delusions of Satan. But the
Tribulation will show God is a God of holiness who is acting justly in His
judgment against sin.

8.4 The Fourth Bowl: Scorching Heat (16:8-9)

Verse 16:8

Like the fourth trumpet, the heavens are again affected, especially the sun.
In the fourth trumpet one-third of the sun, moon, and stars are affected
diminishing their light by one-third (night and day). The earth will have
been living under these conditions all these months between these judgments
as a constant appeal to men to repent. Now, by contrast, only the sun is
affected and its condition is here reversed. Rather than being diminished it
is now increased in its intensity. All unbelievers get a suntan they won't
be bargaining for and all the sunscreen in the world will have no effect.

Whether this is caused by the earth and sun moving closer together or simply
that God increases the heat of the sun we do not know. The point is, God
will increase the intensity of the sun's heat and light rays to such a
degree that it will scorch and burn the skin of men.

"And it was given to it (the sun) to burn men with fire" i.e., extreme heat
rays from the sun as the next verse will show us.

In describing the grace of God, Psalm 19:6 reads, ". . . there is nothing
hid from the heat of the sun." Such will surely be the case here in an
intensified way, only then it will be judgment. There will be no escape from
this judgment for unbelievers. The sun's rays will penetrate everything.
Some relief will come at night, but even then the heat will be unbearable.

Literally the Greek has "to scorch the men with fire." The use of the
article specifies a particular group of people, those mentioned in
connection with the first bowl, unbelievers, worshipers of the beast.
Evidently, believers will somehow be protected from this.

Verse 16:9

"And men were scorched with fierce heat and they blasphemed the name of
God." This again demonstrates two things:

1.. men clearly recognize the source of the plagues, but
2.. they will have become so hardened in their souls they refuse to
repent. They will have reached the point of no return. This was clear when
they took the mark of the beast.
This hardening of the soul (or heart) poses a warning for all of us.
Anyone who becomes negative toward the Lord, grows indifferent to His Word,
and ignores the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit, can begin to harden
his heart and become more and more callused (cf. Hebrews 3:7f; Ephesians
4:17-19). One way we can see such a condition developing in our lives is by
the way we murmur and complain or look for "pity parties" among our friends.
This is a sure indication that the heart has become somewhat hardened (cf.
Hebrews 3:7-19; with 1 Corinthians 10:5-10. Note particularly verse 10).

8.5 The Fifth Bowl: Darkness (16:10-11)

As with the fifth trumpet, this bowl judgment results in darkness, as also
in the ninth plague of Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23).

8.5.1 The object of the fifth bowl--the throne of the beast (16:10b)

First, we are told the bowl is poured out "upon the throne of the beast."
The Greek construction of this phrase (the preposition epi with the
accusative case) refers to motion in a direction which completely attains
its goal. Regardless of his apparent power, he will not be able to escape
God's judgment.

Second, the beast refers to a person as well as to a political system,
therefore, his throne is a definite place. I believe it will be rebuilt
Babylon on the Euphrates River, the ancient capital of Satan's wickedness in
the land of Shinar (Zechariah 5:5-10). This is the land beast of Revelation
13 who will receive his power from Satan and who will become the object of
man's worship. Men will marvel at the beast and proclaim "who is like the
beast, and who is able to make war with him" (Revelation 13:4). Remember, he
will be seen as the solution to the world, the answer to mankind, the hope
of the world.

Due to world conditions on every front and in every area of the globe,
things will look hopeless. People will be in despair or certainly very
fearful prior to the Tribulation. For the varied problems of the world, man
will have turned to a variety of sources looking for hope. These will come
in many forms and sizes. There will be the false prophets of modern science,
scholarship and research, false religions, the occult, the cults, false
prophets like Mr. Moon, the new world views, social ideologies and finally,
the world will look for answers in some new and great world leader whether
political, religious, or both. Such a man will come, but he will be "the man
of lawlessness" and "the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself
above every so-called god ... displaying himself as God" (2 Thessalonians 3
and 4). He will also be "the one whose coming (his historical ascendancy to
power) is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and
false wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Now suddenly at this point in the Tribulation, like a bowl poured out, a
judgment of darkness is poured out on the beast's throne, the very place of
his rule, and neither Satan nor this man can alleviate this judgment. This
will clearly illustrate that there is only one hope, the Eternal God and
Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ whom the world has by-in-large rejected; the
One who alone is the Light of the world. What irony strikes here (John
1:3-5, 9-11)!

This judgment also anticipates the doom and eternal prospects of the beast
and his subjects; they will be cast into outer darkness because they have
turned away from the true Light of the world.

8.5.2 The effects of the fifth bowl (16:10-11)

The first effect is seen in "his kingdom became darkened." The verb "became"
in the Greek text suggests suddenly. It looks at the sudden development of
the throne of the beast in total darkness. Of course, we are reminded of the
"thick darkness" in Egypt which was so thick it could be felt (Exodus
10:21). "Darkened" is an intensive perfect which stresses the existing
results of the blackout over the earth. Since the beast rules practically
the entire world, and since these are the last plagues of the Tribulation
which complete the wrath of God to establish God's rule on earth, this
darkness is undoubtedly world-wide.

As you read this, do not lose sight of the fact that this is a brief
forecast of the outer darkness, pain, and torment that men will face in the
lake of fire (Matthew 5:30; 22:13; 8:12). It is a literal taste of hell. But
it is also designed to symbolize the nature of the beast and his kingdom,
his power, and Satan who gives him his power. It is a kingdom of great
darkness (Colossians 1:13a; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:13-15).

The second effect: "And they gnawed their tongues because of the pain." We
have in this an accumulated effect of the preceding bowls, the sores, the
seas smitten, the fresh water turned into blood, the scorching of the sun,
and now total darkness. Men are shut up in their quarters with their sores
and pain and there is no alleviation, no hope--only constant torment.
Literally the Greek says "they kept on gnawing their tongues out of agony."
Here is a graphic picture of the most intense and excruciating agony and
pain, and a pain that cannot be alleviated.

In 9:21 the word "sorceries" is the Greek farmakeia from farmakeuw "to
administer drugs." In connection with the witchcraft of that day there will
be widespread use of drugs. Nearly everyone will have access to drugs to
deaden their pain. But even this will have no effect to relieve their pain.

The third and final effect: "And they blasphemed the God of heaven ... and
they did not repent of their deeds" (vs. 11). In these words we are clearly
told that the world will be conscious that the "God of heaven" is the source
of these judgments. There will, at this time, be no more atheists or
agnostics. All men will know, like the demons, that God exists, but they
remain stubborn in their rebellion. Oh, the hardness and stubbornness of the
human heart! These verses clearly refute the idea of a final universal
salvation of all men who will finally repent when faced with God's judgment.

Please tell your friends to visit the following Bible study web sites
regularly:
網上聖經課程 Bible Studies On the Internet http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/
香港以馬忤斯聖經函授學校 http://home.hkstar.com/~emmaushk
Week End Web Page http://www.patriot.net/users/premil/weekend.html

God bless you!

Yours in Christ,
John K.C. Fok
Hong Kong
9 Nov 1997

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<DIV>
<FONT=20
size=3D3>Revelation (16:1-11) God Intervenes<FONT=20
size=3D3> Part 6
<FONT=20
size=3D3>Hello,<FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> 
<FONT=20
size=3D3>The same passage=20
can be found at: <A=20
href=3D"http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/Revelation/9GodIntervenes.htm">h=
ttp://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/Revelation/9GodIntervenes.htm</A><=
/FONT>
8. THE BOWL =
JUDGMENTS=20
(16:1-21)
In order to keep the =
chronological=20
sequence and order of the Tribulation events in mind, let's review =
several=20
points about the seven seals, trumpets, and the seven bowls, which =
together make=20
up the Tribulation judgments:
<OL>
<LI>
Since there =
are no=20
judgments described with the opening of the seventh seal as with the =

previous six, and since the seven trumpets judgments follow =
immediately=20
(8:1-6), it seems evident that the seventh seal consists of the =
seven=20
trumpets.
<LI>
The seventh =
and final=20
trumpet judgment (11:15-19) does not describe one specific judgment =
as with=20
the other six trumpets, but signifies that whole part of the =
Tribulation=20
program of God's wrath that will, at the end, bring in the kingdom =
through=20
the return of Christ. However, it will also cause great anger and =
rebellion=20
on the part of the unbelieving world. Only the results of the =
seventh=20
trumpet are described in Revelation 11:15-19. The judgments =
themselves,=20
which make up the seventh trumpet and which accomplish the victory =
described=20
in 11:15-19 are the seven bowl judgments called the seven plagues, =
the last=20
ones (15:1-16:21). The seven bowls are the seventh trumpet and spell =
out=20
what the seventh trumpet consists of by way of its =
judgments.
<LI>
Chapters =
12-14 were=20
parenthetic with chapter 15 being introductory to chapter 16 which =
now takes=20
us to the specific judgments of the seventh trumpet.
<LI>
There is a =
great deal of=20
similarity in the judgments of the trumpets and bowls. In both, the =
first=20
series deals with the earth (cf. 8:7 with 16:2), the second series =
deals=20
with the sea (cf. 8:8-9 with 16:3), the third series deals with the =
rivers=20
and fountains of water (cf. 8:10-11 with 16:4), the fourth series =
deals with=20
the sun (cf. 8:12 with 16:8), the fifth series deals with darkness =
(cf. 8:12=20
with 16:10), the sixth series deals with the Euphrates (cf. 9:13-14 =
with=20
16:12), and the seventh series deals with lightnings, thunders, and=20
earthquakes (cf. 11:19b with 16:17-21).
<LI>
However, a =
careful study=20
of these two sections will reveal some striking differences: (a) The =
first=20
four trumpets deal with only one-third of the earth while the =
bowl=20
judgments are universal in scope. (b) The bowls are also much =
greater in=20
intensity as well as in degree of coverage and effect. (c) They fall =
quickly=20
as a liquid poured out of a bowl and in rapid succession--like trip =
hammer=20
blows. It is best, therefore, to see the bowls as different from the =

trumpets judgments.
<LI>
These last =
seven judgments=20
cause the further hardening of the hearts of men. Remember they are =
called=20
plagues and have much the same result on the world as the plagues of =
Egypt=20
had on Pharaoh. These plagues will show: (a) The total rebellion and =

independence of the creature to his Creator. Because of the =
callousness and=20
hardening built up in the hearts of men, these judgments will result =
in=20
anger and blasphemy from the heart and mouths of men rather than =
fear and=20
reverence and trust. They are hardening plagues which God uses to =
His own=20
glory (cf. vss. 9, 11, 21). (b) But these plagues (bowl judgments) =
will=20
crush man's rebellion and remove the rebellious from the earth. The=20
completion of this will be accomplished by the return of Christ with =
His=20
armies (Ezekiel 20:38; Joel 3:2-17; Matthew 13:40-43; Revelation=20
19:11-21).</LI></OL>
8.1 The First Bowl: =
Painful Sores=20
(16:1-2)
Verse 16:1
The seven angels are now =
commanded to=20
pour out their bowl of judgment upon the earth. John heard what is =
described as=20
a loud or great voice, probably the voice of God, coming out of the =
temple. Our=20
English translations somewhat obscure an important emphasis of this =
chapter=20
because of the various ways they have translated the Greek word =
megas.=20
Megas means "large, great, huge, or loud," depending =
on what=20
it modifies. The NASB, for instance, translates megas with=20
"loud," "fierce," "great," and =
"huge,"=20
all good translations, but the English reader might not notice the =
repetition=20
whereas the Greek reader will more readily notice the repetition of this =

adjective. This emphasizes the intensity or unprecedented nature of what =
will=20
begin to take place on earth at this point in the Tribulation. =
Megas is=20
used eleven times in this chapter in connection with its events: a great =
voice=20
(vss. 1 and 17), a great heat (vs. 9), the great river Euphrates (vs. =
12), the=20
great day of God Almighty (vs. 14), "a great =
earthquake, such=20
as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so=20
great an earthquake ..." (vs. 18), the great city, =
Babylon=20
(vs. 19), and great hailstones (vs. 21).
Verse 16:2
Immediately, in obedience to =
the voice=20
from the temple, the first angel "poured out his bowl on the earth; =
and it=20
became a loathsome and malignant sore on the men who had the mark of the =
beast=20
and who worshiped his image."
"Loathsome" is=20
kakos which means "evil, injurious" and refers =
to what=20
brings abut a crippling effect. "Malignant" is =
poneros=20
which means "active, malignant" and looks at what is =
painful,=20
destructive, and even vicious. This stresses the effect, degree, and=20
intensity.
From Revelation 13:8 it is =
quite apparent=20
that only a small fraction of the world will resist the beast, refuse to =
take=20
his image, and believe in Jesus Christ. But those who do are now the =
only ones=20
who escape this judgment and the judgments which follow. The warning of =
14:9-11=20
against worshipping the beast and which anticipates his ultimate doom =
and that=20
of his system is here confirmed in this preliminary judgment. Note that =
the=20
beast is unable to help or heal the sore. "Sore" is helkos =

and refers to an ulcer-like sore. This is the word used in the =
Greek=20
Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word for boils inflicted on the =
Egyptians in=20
Exodus 9:9-11. 
8.2 The Second Bowl: =
Seas Smitten=20
(16:3)
The Greek text here is very =
graphic.=20
Literally it reads, "And it (sea) became blood as of a dead =
man,"=20
i.e., like a dead man wallowing in his own blood. Every living thing =
(sea=20
creature) in the sea will die. Some would try to limit this to the =
Mediterranean=20
Sea. However, these judgments are global and the same word =
qalassa=20
would be used whether it was one sea or all the water =
masses.
Here the judgment is =
universal. This is=20
global catastrophe. Under the second trumpet one-third was affected, but =
now, in=20
keeping with the nature of this judgment, the rest of the sea and marine =
life is=20
struck. It will wreck fishing and it is bound to affect ocean =
navigation,=20
transportation and shipping.
8.3 The Third =
Bowl: Rivers=20
Smitten (16:4-7)
Verse =
16:4
This judgment, as with the =
third trumpet,=20
involves the fresh water supply. Again, there is no limit; it is global =
with=20
great devastating effects. Though the results are not mentioned, they =
can be=20
imagined. There will be no pure water except perhaps what will already =
be=20
stored; none in the rivers and lakes.
Verse =
16:5
"The angel of the =
waters" is=20
literally, "the angel, the one of the waters." This apparently =
refers=20
to an angel who has jurisdiction over the waters of the earth as one of =
the=20
varied ministries of angels. As the one in charge of this area he makes =
an=20
important statement vindicating the holiness of God and setting forth =
the reason=20
in this judgment (vss. 5-6). 
Verse =
16:6
These apostate and rebellious =
people have=20
slain and shed the blood of believers, thus, just as the saints receive =
rest and=20
reward for their faith, so these will receive punishment fitting the =
nature of=20
their crimes. They have only blood to drink. They have been blood =
thirsty--now=20
they get their fill. This gives us another indication that during the=20
Tribulation the shedding of the blood of believers will be without =
parallel in=20
history.
The reference in verse 5, =
"who are=20
and who were" refers to the eternal essence of God. As the eternal =
One, one=20
day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. God is=20
long-suffering but eventually God's holiness must act and His judgment =
against=20
sin will be delayed no longer.
Verse 16:7
It deals with another voice =
adding to the=20
vindication of God's acts. So again we see an important emphasis: =
Throughout=20
history Satan has maligned the character of God who sentenced Satan and =
his=20
angels to the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41). This has been displayed in =
the=20
rebellious hearts of men of all ages who persistently operate under the=20
delusions of Satan. But the Tribulation will show God is a God of =
holiness who=20
is acting justly in His judgment against sin.
8.4 The Fourth Bowl: =
Scorching=20
Heat (16:8-9)
Verse =
16:8
Like the fourth trumpet, the =
heavens are=20
again affected, especially the sun. In the fourth trumpet one-third of =
the sun,=20
moon, and stars are affected diminishing their light by one-third (night =
and=20
day). The earth will have been living under these conditions all these =
months=20
between these judgments as a constant appeal to men to repent. Now, by =
contrast,=20
only the sun is affected and its condition is here reversed. Rather than =
being=20
diminished it is now increased in its intensity. All unbelievers get a =
suntan=20
they won't be bargaining for and all the sunscreen in the world will =
have no=20
effect.
Whether this is caused by the =
earth and=20
sun moving closer together or simply that God increases the heat of the =
sun we=20
do not know. The point is, God will increase the intensity of the sun's =
heat and=20
light rays to such a degree that it will scorch and burn the skin of =
men.=20

"And it was given to it =
(the sun) to=20
burn men with fire" i.e., extreme heat rays from the sun as the =
next verse=20
will show us.
In describing the grace of =
God, Psalm=20
19:6 reads, ". . . there is nothing hid from the heat of the =
sun."=20
Such will surely be the case here in an intensified way, only then it =
will be=20
judgment. There will be no escape from this judgment for unbelievers. =
The sun's=20
rays will penetrate everything. Some relief will come at night, but even =
then=20
the heat will be unbearable.
Literally the Greek has =
"to scorch=20
the men with fire." The use of the article specifies a =
particular=20
group of people, those mentioned in connection with the first bowl, =
unbelievers,=20
worshipers of the beast. Evidently, believers will somehow be protected =
from=20
this.
Verse =
16:9
"And men were scorched =
with fierce=20
heat and they blasphemed the name of God." This again demonstrates =
two=20
things: 
<OL>
<LI>men clearly recognize =
the source of=20
the plagues, but=20
<LI>they will have become so =
hardened in=20
their souls they refuse to repent. They will have reached the point =
of no=20
return. This was clear when they took the mark of the beast. =
</LI></OL>
This hardening of the soul =
(or heart)=20
poses a warning for all of us. Anyone who becomes negative toward the =
Lord,=20
grows indifferent to His Word, and ignores the convicting ministry of =
the Holy=20
Spirit, can begin to harden his heart and become more and more callused =
(cf.=20
Hebrews 3:7f; Ephesians 4:17-19). One way we can see such a condition =
developing=20
in our lives is by the way we murmur and complain or look for "pity =

parties" among our friends. This is a sure indication that the =
heart has=20
become somewhat hardened (cf. Hebrews 3:7-19; with 1 Corinthians =
10:5-10. Note=20
particularly verse 10).
8.5 The Fifth Bowl: =
Darkness=20
(16:10-11)
As with the fifth trumpet, =
this bowl=20
judgment results in darkness, as also in the ninth plague of Egypt =
(Exodus=20
10:21-23).
8.5.1 The object of the fifth =
bowl--the=20
throne of the beast (16:10b)
First, we are told the bowl =
is poured out=20
"upon the throne of the beast." The Greek construction of this =
phrase=20
(the preposition epi with the accusative case) refers to motion =
in a=20
direction which completely attains its goal. Regardless of his apparent =
power,=20
he will not be able to escape God's judgment.
Second, the beast refers to a =
person as=20
well as to a political system, therefore, his throne is a definite =
place. I=20
believe it will be rebuilt Babylon on the Euphrates River, the ancient =
capital=20
of Satan's wickedness in the land of Shinar (Zechariah 5:5-10). This is =
the land=20
beast of Revelation 13 who will receive his power from Satan and who =
will become=20
the object of man's worship. Men will marvel at the beast and proclaim =
"who=20
is like the beast, and who is able to make war with him" =
(Revelation 13:4).=20
Remember, he will be seen as the solution to the world, the answer to =
mankind,=20
the hope of the world.
Due to world conditions on =
every front=20
and in every area of the globe, things will look hopeless. People will =
be in=20
despair or certainly very fearful prior to the Tribulation. For the =
varied=20
problems of the world, man will have turned to a variety of sources =
looking for=20
hope. These will come in many forms and sizes. There will be the false =
prophets=20
of modern science, scholarship and research, false religions, the =
occult, the=20
cults, false prophets like Mr. Moon, the new world views, social =
ideologies and=20
finally, the world will look for answers in some new and great world =
leader=20
whether political, religious, or both. Such a man will come, but he will =
be=20
"the man of lawlessness" and "the son of perdition who =
opposes=20
and exalts himself above every so-called god ... displaying himself as =
God"=20
(2 Thessalonians 3 and 4). He will also be "the one whose coming =
(his=20
historical ascendancy to power) is in accord with the activity of Satan, =
with=20
all power and signs and false wonders" (2 Thessalonians =
2:9).
Now suddenly at this point in =
the=20
Tribulation, like a bowl poured out, a judgment of darkness is poured =
out on the=20
beast's throne, the very place of his rule, and neither Satan nor this =
man can=20
alleviate this judgment. This will clearly illustrate that there is only =
one=20
hope, the Eternal God and Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ whom the world =
has=20
by-in-large rejected; the One who alone is the Light of the world. What =
irony=20
strikes here (John 1:3-5, 9-11)!
This judgment also =
anticipates the doom=20
and eternal prospects of the beast and his subjects; they will be cast =
into=20
outer darkness because they have turned away from the true Light of the=20
world.
8.5.2 The effects of the fifth =
bowl=20
(16:10-11)
The first =
effect is seen in=20
"his kingdom became darkened." The verb "became" in =
the=20
Greek text suggests suddenly. It looks at the sudden development of the =
throne=20
of the beast in total darkness. Of course, we are reminded of the =
"thick=20
darkness" in Egypt which was so thick it could be felt (Exodus =
10:21).=20
"Darkened" is an intensive perfect which stresses the existing =
results=20
of the blackout over the earth. Since the beast rules practically the =
entire=20
world, and since these are the last plagues of the Tribulation which =
complete=20
the wrath of God to establish God's rule on earth, this darkness is =
undoubtedly=20
world-wide.
As you read this, do not lose =
sight of=20
the fact that this is a brief forecast of the outer darkness, pain, and =
torment=20
that men will face in the lake of fire (Matthew 5:30; 22:13; =
8:12). It is=20
a literal taste of hell. But it is also designed to symbolize the nature =
of the=20
beast and his kingdom, his power, and Satan who gives him his power. It =
is a=20
kingdom of great darkness (Colossians 1:13a; 2 Corinthians 4:4;=20
11:13-15).
The second =
effect:=20
"And they gnawed their tongues because of the pain." We have =
in this=20
an accumulated effect of the preceding bowls, the sores, the seas =
smitten, the=20
fresh water turned into blood, the scorching of the sun, and now total =
darkness.=20
Men are shut up in their quarters with their sores and pain and there is =
no=20
alleviation, no hope--only constant torment. Literally the Greek says =
"they=20
kept on gnawing their tongues out of agony." Here is a graphic =
picture of=20
the most intense and excruciating agony and pain, and a pain that cannot =
be=20
alleviated.
In 9:21 the word =
"sorceries" is=20
the Greek farmakeia from farmakeuw =
"to=20
administer drugs." In connection with the witchcraft of that day =
there will=20
be widespread use of drugs. Nearly everyone will have access to =
drugs to=20
deaden their pain. But even this will have no effect to relieve their=20
pain.
The third and final =
effect:=20
"And they blasphemed the God of heaven ... and they did not repent =
of their=20
deeds" (vs. 11). In these words we are clearly told that the world =
will be=20
conscious that the "God of heaven" is the source of these =
judgments.=20
There will, at this time, be no more atheists or agnostics. All men will =
know,=20
like the demons, that God exists, but they remain stubborn in their =
rebellion.=20
Oh, the hardness and stubbornness of the human heart! These verses =
clearly=20
refute the idea of a final universal salvation of all men who =
will=20
finally repent when faced with God's judgment.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
</BLOCKQUOTE><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D""><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D""><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D""><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D"">
<DIV>Please tell =
your friends=20
to visit the following Bible study web sites regularly: <A=20
name=3D=BA=F4=A4W=B8t=B8g=BD=D2=B5{><TT>=BA=F4=A4W=B8t=B8g=BD=D2=B5{</A> </TT>Bible=20
Studies On the Internet <A=20
href=3D"http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/">http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfo=
k1/</A> <FONT=20
face=3D"" =
size=3D3>=AD=BB=B4=E4=A5H=B0=A8=CA=DE=B4=B5=B8t=B8g=A8=E7=B1=C2=BE=C7=AE=D5=
<A=20
href=3D"http://home.hkstar.com/~emmaushk">http://home.hkstar.com/~emmaush=
k</A> Week=20
End Web Page <A=20
href=3D"http://www.patriot.net/users/premil/weekend.html">http://www.patr=
iot.net/users/premil/weekend.html</A><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"></DIV>
<DIV>God bless=20
you!</DIV>
<DIV> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"></DIV>
<DIV>Yours in Christ, John =
K.C.=20
Fok Hong Kong 9 Nov=20
1997 </DIV></F=
ONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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