The Bowls of God's Wrath

Rev. 16

John heard a loud voice commanding the angels to pour out the 7 bowls of God's wrath.

1. This bowl was poured on the earth and resulted in harmful and painful sores upon all those who were marked with 666.
2. This bowl was poured in the sea [salt water], and the water became like blood and every living thing in the waters died.
3. This bowl was poured into the rivers and springs [fresh water] and the water became blood. And the angel in charge of the water said,  "Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!" No mercy or grace! 
4. This bowl was poured on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire and fierce heat. Still after all this, they cursed the name of God and refused to repent.
5. This bowl was poured on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. It caused people to gnaw their own tongues and curse God. Still no repentance. 
6. This bowl was poured on the Euphrates river drying up its water and preparing a way for the kings from the east. Out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet came 3 demonic spirits who appeared like frogs performing signs. They went abroad gathering the kings from all the nations of the world to get ready for Armageddon, the great day of God Almighty. How can they actually believe they stand a chance after all the previous bowls? What a strong deception! Armageddon is the final battle, the battle between Christ and Satan. [At this point God gives a warning to His own. He is coming like a thief! They need to be dressed and ready to go so they won' t be caught unawares.]
7. This bowl was poured into the air, and a voice from heaven proclaimed, It is done. Lighting flashed, thunder pealed, and the worst earthquake ever all followed God's proclamation. The great city Jerusalem is split in 3 parts, the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the Great and made her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath. The islands and the mountains disappeared. Great hailstones weighing 100 pounds each fell on the people, and still they were defiant and cursed God for this plague because it was so severe.

How the people of the earth could not see the great power of God is a wonder in and of itself. Evil had taken them over much like an addiction that is impossible to shed. The more they hated and cursed God the worse was the judgment. One question I do have is the warning to the saints to be ready and dressed. In an earlier chapter where Christ used his scythe in one fell swoop over the earth was He bringing home His own or was it for judgment? Will there still be believers at the end of the tribulation?

Father,

As I read these terrible things, my heart is heavy for unsaved loved ones. It gives me an urgency to pray more diligently. Strengthen me so that I might always be ready and dressed for when You call me home.

In Jesus name,

Amen