In chapters fifteen and sixteen, the third and last round of judgments began. “The Seven Bowls.”Six of the seven bowls were poured. As each bowl was poured, God poured out His anger of sin on the men who continue to reject Him. Great torment came upon the earth.
It included grueling sores on the skin, blood filling the seas, rivers and springs, searing heat from the sun, darkness pervading the kingdom of the beast, and the river of the great Euphrates dried preparing the way for the march of the eastern kingdoms.
The third of the seven blessings was given to John, “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed are those who are prepared.” As the seventh bowl was poured, a loud voice from the throne declared, “It is done!” And, at that moment the most horrific of all earthquakes devastated the great city of Babylon and she was given the cup of His wrath.
In chapters seventeen and eighteen, John saw the woman and the beast, and then the Fall of Babylon. The woman represented the empires of man and Babylon was one of mans first great empires. She was described as a prostitute because rather than protecting herself for her true love she constantly gave her heart over recklessly. At this point in history, she (the empires of men) will fall prey to this final beast (who will come as the anti-christ,) and her destruction will come. This beast, who will come promising peace, will reveal his evil, selfish agenda throughout the tribulation. For Satan, the dragon, is behind the ploy. And, at this time John sees how the beast will reject the woman. He will want nothing to do with her.
How wonderful that God continues to warn and draw the souls of men to Him. Here in chapter eighteen, He sends warning for men to reject her and to flee from her so that they will not share in her demise. Those who do not reject the empires of men and the beast will find in due time that they, too, will have sold their souls to the devil, the great deceiver, Satan.
No comments:
Post a Comment