Revelation 16; Psalm 55

Revelation 16
This chapter teaches us about the 7 bowls of God's final judgment. They are reserved for people who would not respond to God's grace or to the previous judgments.

• Sores v. 2 (v. 10 suggests that the sores do not disappear as the rest of the bowls are poured out.) People will be enraged at a malady that can't be cured, and human relationships will be at their worst.
• Sea turns to blood v. 3  Everything in it will die, and we can imagine the stench.
• Fresh water becomes blood v. 4-7  This is reasonable because they have shed the blood of God's people.
• The sun scorches people with fire. v. 8-9 Still they will not repent, but rather curse God.
• Darkness. v. 10 The suffering is unspeakable, but still they will not repent.
• The Euphrates River dries up. vv. 11-16. Demons are released and prepare for the great battle at Armageddon. The dry river bed will allow the "kings" to invade the Holy Land. We will read about the outcome of this battle in Rev. 19.
• The 7th and last bowl comes with the words, "It is done!" It is an earthquake like has never occurred since man has been on earth. Also poured out were hundred pound hail stones! Again the people will curse God. 

v. 15 applies to us in this age. "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." We know that Jesus can come for us at any time. Our job is to be faithful, ready, and watching!

Psalm 55

• David prays for himself. vv. 1-8 He is troubled, distraught, and afraid. He would like to run away and escape!
• A friend has acted treacherously toward David, and he is disappointed, angry, and discouraged. vv. 9-15
• In the end, David trusts God! vv. 16-23.  I think we can all identify with David in his negative responses. These are probably universal human responses. When we feel this way, we should tell God all about it, just as David did.  The part about trusting God, I'm afraid, is where we often fail. Below are some verses from this Psalm to meditate on and remember and practice!
• "But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice." vv. 16-17
• "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." v. 22