Revelation 16:8-16

Last time we read the second and third plagues, turning the waters to blood. The whole world is being forced to confront the truth of God. (One note: Israel has built one of the largest desalination plants in the world, producing fresh water straight from the sea — and one official said, "In the Bible God punished Israel by taking away their water... now we are better than God." This blatant pride is the same response the world gives throughout these plagues.) Now the next three.¶

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

Revelation 16:8-9 (ESV)¶

Cursing God by name¶

Notice: the people are actively acknowledging the Creator. They are not cursing "global warming" or "Mother Earth" — they are cursing the name of God, recognizing it is him doing these things, and still refusing to repent. Many today are fine invoking "God" and claiming faith in God — but we are not saved by believing in God: "Even the demons believe—and shudder!" (James 2:19). It is those who believe in his Son who are saved (John 14:1).¶

This shows that seeing is not believing. We humans think the highest form of truth is what we experience with our five senses — but Scripture says otherwise. God reveals himself tangibly throughout Scripture, and people still deny: "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign" (Matthew 16:4); "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). The Israelites saw God's power and still fell in the wilderness; Moses heard God's voice and still struck the rock; Adam and Eve walked with God and still disobeyed. Are we waiting for God to reveal himself in some physical way before we trust him? If we think there is something more valuable than God sending his sinless Son to die our death and rise again, then we will never be satisfied with any sign.¶

The sixth bowl — the kings of the east¶

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east... three unclean spirits like frogs... demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

Revelation 16:12-14 (ESV)¶

The Euphrates is one of the original boundaries of the promised land (Genesis 15:18). It is dried up to prepare the way — a physical event and a symbol of a boundary removed. The beast and his team demonically inspire the kings of the world to war against God himself. How foolish: they cannot stop the sun from scorching them, heal their own sores, or turn blood back to water — yet they think they can stop God. This is the foolishness of this world: believing they can change their biology, redefine marriage, tear down the family, call murder compassion, and trade truth for lies (Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:18-25). But be encouraged, church: God keeps a perfect account of evil, and the only escape from his justice is to trust the One who received that justice on himself (Proverbs 10:28-32).¶

"Behold, I am coming like a thief"¶

("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")

Revelation 16:15 (ESV)¶

Near the end of the sixth bowl, Jesus chimes in to encourage the reader. Staying awake means having our eyes open to the truth (Ephesians 5:14); the garments are Christ himself (Romans 13:14); and the exposure is what is now taking place — "the day of the Lord will come like a thief... and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed" (2 Peter 3:10). This note from Jesus is a reminder to believers, and a call to anyone not yet one: wake up, put on Christ, and be spared from the wrath coming on the world.¶