Title [Rev 16:1-21] Great Plagues
This chapter records the great plagues that occur when angels pour out the bowls containing the wrath of God. Now, we are going to find and introduce some relevant facts and lessons to receive grace.
1. The disasters introduced in this chapter are those that cause great suffering to humans.
It appeared as poisonous species, sea creatures were killed in droves, rivers became blood and humans drank blood, the sun burned people with fire, the great city of Babylon fell, a great earthquake, lightnings, thunder, and great hail fell. One thing is the horrific calamities that inflict human suffering. It may be a disaster that has never been experienced before. However, you should know that no matter how severe of these disasters, the punishment is not as bad as hell. As with robbers, we thank God for giving us salvation through faith knowing that the calamities on earth are temporary, but the tribulation of hell is eternal. I hope that we will become believers who keep our faith until the end.
2. All these plagues fell on those who received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image (2).
Verse 2 says, “The first went and poured out his bowl on the ground, and there was an evil and bitter sore on those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” Those who follow the devil may say they are happy while the devil is in power, but from the beginning of God's judgment, they will face all kinds of misery. Knowing this fact in advance and preparing for the judgment must know how much grace and blessing it is. Even now, many people doubt or disbelieve when they talk about the calamity that will come in the last days or the eternal punishment of hell. It is their freedom to believe or not to believe, but if they believe and prepare, the future will be guaranteed, so it is a great benefit and is considered a wise attitude. Let us strengthen our faith so that no matter what happens, we will not be deceived by the devil or fall. I sincerely hope that all the saints who will escape from all these calamities that will come in the last days will be exempted from eternal punishment in hell and will be guaranteed the kingdom of heaven. At the same time, let's become the saints who preach the gospel, Jesus Christ, so that even our closest and dearest neighbors can escape from this terrible disaster.
3. Even in the face of calamity, they blaspheme God even more without repenting (9, 11, 21).