Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 16:3-7

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“Revelation 16:3-7”
by Art Sadlier
March 21st, 2010

Last week we saw the the first Bowl Judgment. Because The trumpet judgments and the Bowl judgments are similar, some have supposed that they are the same judgments. This is not the case, the Trumpet judgments affected one third of the earth, the bowl judgments affect the whole earth and they are much more severe in their intensity!

The Second Bowl Judgment

"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea" verse 3.

The first bowl was poured out on the earth, the second bowl is poured out on the sea. We are going to see in the bowl judgments a progressive destruction of the earth.

We said last week that God created the earth as a beauitiful home for man, but that God never intended that man would enjoy His blessings if he lived in sin and rebellion against God. That is what these judgments are all about!

Everything needed for man's sustainance and happiness was placed in the earth by God at creation. God looked down into the future when He created the earth and anticipated man's needs and aspirations. Let me give you a glimpse into that provision of God for this day in which we live. God anticipated that the population of the earth would be greatly increased and made provision for man's sustenainance in such a time. We are told that the energy produced by one barrel of oil is equivalent of 20,000 man hours of labor. In America the average consumption of oil is about 25 barrels per person per year. That is about 600,000 man hours of labor for each individual per year. That is God's provision for men to be sustained in a world that has a multiplying population.

Scientists believe that some day, perhaps soon, they will develop the process for Cold Fusion, which will give the world an unlimited supply of cheap, clean energy. Today, unbelieving men wring their hands in despair because of unbelief, they not believe that the God who created man can sustain him. We do not want to be distracted with this prospect of God's provision for man in his beautiful home, but in these bowl judgments we see God destroying man's home, the earth. We know that when God has dealt with the sinful heart of man, he will restore the earth as the beautiful home He intended man to enjoy.

This second bowl judgment is an awesome judgment! The sea becomes as the blood of a dead man, what an aweful stench will sweep the entire world! The waters of the seas will be congealed. All marine life will die, no more seafood, no shipping, no oil supplies, no trade, the whole world will be profoundly affected. All that God has so freely provided for man is now being swept away.

The Third Bowl Judgment

"And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood." The second bowl of God's wrath was poured out on the sea, this third bowl of God's wrath is poured upon the fresh water supplies of the world. They also are turned to blood. Notice in the seal judgments, the third part of the trees are burned up, the third part of the sea is turned to blood and the third part of the rivers and fountains (or springs) are turned to blood. Here as the vial judgments are poured out all of the sea is turned to blood and all of the fresh water is turned to blood. These are the final great judgments that will totally destroy the home of sinful rebellious man.

"And I heard the angel of the waters say, thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus."

Remember that God's overriding attribute is His Holiness, His love is only possible through His righteousness, without righteousness love could not function, love would be utterly harmful outside of that which is holy and right. In bringing judgment upon sinners God is doing what is right and necessary, where sin is allowed to exist there can be no goodness, no peace, no love, no joy, and no heaven. Sin utterly corrupts and destroys and must be obliterated. For man to live forever on earth in sin would create hell on earth. As these judgments are viewed with understanding, the viewer says, "thou art righteouss, O Lord."

The day will come when everyone in heaven, on earth, and in hell, will recognize that God is righteouss in judging sinners. We men, with our sin natures are corrupted by sin and we are deceived into believing that God should and will pardon everyone rather than judge, that God's love and mercy will lead Him to forego judgment. It is God's love and righteouness that forbids him to forego judgment, He would not be loving and righteous if He did that. The really important thing is that you come to understand and believe this truth before it is forever too late!

"For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." Retribution is poured on the wicked for their deeds. God hates sin with an eternal hatred, the scriptures are filled with this message. See God's hatred for sin in the flood, see it at Sodom, see it in His dealings with Israel, it is the over riding message of the whole Bible. See it most of all at Calvary! God spared not His own Son from Judgment but poured out that judgment on Him for your sin and mine. See it expressed in Revelation 13:10

"And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments." The final vindication of God's judgment comes from heaven, it doesn't matter what man may think of God's judgment , heaven vindicates it. We had better listen to heaven and not be led astray by the opinions of men. Whose is this voice that comes out from the altar? I believe the answer comes to us from Revelation 6:9-10 "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"

In verse 11, they are told, "rest yet for a little season," that little season has finally passed, and now their prayer is about to be answered. These saints are dead and they are in heaven, their killers are alive on the earth, is there no justice? Yes! And it is about to be carried out, all are about to discover who the real winners are and who the real losers are!

Let me ask you the most important question you have ever been asked, are you an eternal winner or are you an eternal loser? John said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13