God’s Wrath Completed (Part 2)
REVELATION 16:1-21
(December 25)
I used to be intrigued by game shows. I loved the ones where you had to pick which door you wanted to open. Whatever was behind the door was what you won. Would it be a fabulous trip? Or a shiny new car? Or would it be the "dud" prize that no one wanted to win? Only when the door of your choice was opened did you find out what was behind it.
In today's scripture reading, we find out what was in the bowls with the seven plagues. (I can guarantee there was no shiny new car, or trip to some exotic island, but there might be a trip to some place really, REALLY warm!) So, what was in the bowls?
In Bowl #1 was the plague of malignant sores that broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshipped his statue.
In Bowl #2, the plague was poured out on the sea, turning it to blood.
Bowl #3 was poured out on the rivers and springs, which also turned to blood.
Bowl #4 was poured out on the sun, and everyone was scorched with its fire. They were burned and cursed God, instead of repenting and turning to him.
Bowl #5 was poured on the throne of the beast, which plunged his kingdom into darkness. There was grinding of teeth and cursing God, but still no repentance.
Bowl #6 was poured on the Euphrates River, and it dried up. The kings in the east could march their troops to the west without being caught by water. This river, which is in present-day Irag, was typically a protective boundary that kept the eastern empires from attacking. Now there was no protection.
Three frog-like evil spirits came out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, the unholy trinity. This imagery signifies the verbal temptations and propaganda that attract many people to their evil causes, even today.
These evil spirits were miracle workers. They gathered the rulers of the world to battle against the Lord. Their gathering place for this battle was Armageddon. This battlefield is near the city of Megiddo and guarded a large plain in northern Israel. It is strategically located near a popular and much-used international highway that led north from Egypt and to Babylon via the coastline. It overlooked the entire plan toward Galilee to the south and the mountains of Gilboa to the west. This is the place where the sinful people of the world will unite together in their final rebellion against God.
Bowl # 7, the final bowl, was poured into the air. A shout from the temple called out, "It is finished!" Lightening flashed and thunder crashed. The greatest earthquake of all times shook the earth. Babylon split into three sections and the cities of many nations became huge piles of rubble. All the islands disappeared, and all the mountains fell. 75-pound hail fell from the sky, beating the people below. Once again, they cursed God.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to pick ANY of these doors (I mean plagues) as my prize. But I DO pick Jesus! My life WITH him is the prize for a life lived FOR him.
Yes, you and I get to choose to live for him and to reap the rewards of that life. All because, so many years ago, an innocent baby was born in very meager surroundings to a loving mother and father who knew how he came to be. They nurtured him and taught him in the ways of his father, and he grew into his calling of Savior to all who will call on his name.
I am so grateful for that birth in a manger so long ago, and so grateful for the grace and mercy offered each day. As we unwrap our gifts this Christmas day, may we not lose sight of the greatest gift of all ... Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!