“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” – Revelation 16:1

Scripture reading: Revelation 16:1-9

All creation speaks of God, and the gospel goes forth daily throughout the world. Yet, many suppress the truth and refuse to believe God and His Christ, or listen to the Spirit. God sends tragedies and disasters as warning calls to all men to repent. Yet, for many these disasters are final judgments, since they refuse to repent, but harden their hearts against God.

In the bowls, we see similar judgments as in the trumpets (Chapters 8-9), yet with intensification. The seals spoke of 25 % destruction, the trumpets of 33%, but here the bowls speak of total destruction. The earlier series are calls to repentance. The bowls are not a completely different series of events, but similar events seen from a different perspective, namely, how for the unrepentant these disasters are the point of no return.

Here we see the effect of disasters on those who, suppressing the truth and hardened in sin, are facing their final judgment. The second, third and fourth bowl are disasters on the sea, lakes and rivers, and sun. These disasters are total in the sense that they lead not to repentance, but are judgments on those who curse the name of God, and do not repent and give glory to God. Therefore, the angel in charge of the waters sings in verses 5-7 of the justice of what God is doing here. God in His mercy gives us this vision, calling us to repent and believe while we can before some disaster comes and it is too late.

Suggestions for prayer

While God sends warning judgments calling all men to repentance through various trials and disasters, pray that God gives us true repentance and faith, that we may always be ready when He calls. Pray that the nations may not harden their hearts on the day of trouble.

Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.