Revelation

Revelation 16: True and righteous are God's judgments

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the seven bowls of God's wrath, please ask the Lord to teach you. Ask Him to show you that His judgments are true and righteous, and to turn your hearts from sin to give Him glory.

Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants. He will take vengeance on his adversaries, and will make atonement for his land and for his people.

Deuteronomy 32:43

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your judgments are true and righteous, and help us to repent and give You glory. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Seven angels receive the command to pour God's wrath on the earth. Sores strike the beast's worshipers, and the sea, rivers and springs become blood. Heaven declares this judgment righteous because these people shed the blood of God's saints and prophets. Scorching heat and darkness follow, yet people curse God and refuse to repent. Demonic spirits gather kings for war, while Jesus calls His people to watch for Him. The last bowl brings an earthquake, Babylon's judgment and terrible hail. Even then, people blaspheme God.

As you read Revelation 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God's judgments are true and righteous, and neither His enemies nor their refusal to repent can stop them.

God's last bowls complete His wrath, answering heaven's praise for His righteous ways (Revelation 15 verse 3). Judgment now fills the sea and fresh waters with blood, going beyond the earlier plagues that struck a third. The sores, blood and darkness recall Egypt's plagues, where another ruler hardened his heart (Exodus 7 to 10). The angel explains the justice of blood for blood, because the condemned have shed the blood of saints and prophets. Earth's blasphemy answers heaven's praise, exposing hearts that pain alone cannot change. Their refusal to repent cannot stop the Judge from carrying out His righteous sentence. Even the demons' gathering brings the kings to the great day appointed by God. Christ calls His servants to watch for Him while these armies gather, making faithfulness more urgent than guessing their movements. The throne's final declaration ends every claim that evil can keep God's judgment from completion.

How does Revelation 16 show that God's judgments are righteous and that His enemies cannot stop them?

God judges evil with perfect justice.

The first bowl brings harmful sores on those who bear the beast's mark and worship its image (verse 2). The sea becomes blood like a dead man's, and every living thing in it dies (verse 3). Rivers and springs also become blood, because the persecutors poured out the blood of saints and prophets (verses 4 to 6). The angel says they deserve this, and the altar affirms God's righteous judgments (verses 6 and 7).

Suffering alone does not turn a heart to God.

The sun scorches people with fire, and darkness covers the beast's throne and kingdom (verses 8 to 10). They gnaw their tongues in pain and blaspheme God because of their pains and sores (verses 10 and 11). Although He has power over these plagues, they refuse to repent of their works or give Him glory.

Jesus calls His people to watch while enemies gather.

The Euphrates dries up to prepare the way for kings from the sunrise (verse 12). Three unclean spirits like frogs come from the mouths of the dragon, beast and false prophet (verse 13). These demons perform signs and gather the world's kings for war on God's great day, at Megiddo (verses 14 and 16). Jesus says He comes like a thief, blessing the one who watches and keeps his clothes (verse 15). The clothing picture warns against the shame of being unready for Him.

God brings His judgment to its appointed end.

At the seventh bowl, a voice from the temple and throne declares, “It is done!” An unprecedented earthquake divides the great city in three, and the cities of the nations fall (verses 18 and 19). Babylon receives wrath's fierce cup, islands flee, and mountains disappear (verses 19 and 20). Hailstones weighing about a talent fall, and people blaspheme God because the plague is exceedingly severe (verse 21).

Memorise

Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.

Revelation 16:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, God judges rightly, so will I turn to Jesus with my sin?

Seven angels poured out the seven bowls of the wrath of God. The angel of the waters said, “You are righteous”, and the altar said that God's judgments are “true and righteous”. Yet the people blasphemed God and “didn’t repent”.

The wrath of God is real, and our sin deserves it. But hear the good news. The Lamb died on the cross for His people. There He took the wrath their sin deserved. His work is complete, and it is enough for every sin. He broke the power of death and rose to new life.

So do not harden your heart. Repent, and give God glory. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. The Judge of all the earth does right, and He forgives sin for the one who turns to the Lamb.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's judgments are right, and that Jesus bore His people's punishment. Explain the sores, blood, pain, demons and hail in words suited to each child's age, keeping the judgment's full weight. Growing up in a Christian home does not save anyone. Call each child to repent and trust Jesus, and ask God to give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His judgments are true and righteous, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

“Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he doesn’t walk naked, and they see his shame.”

Revelation 16:15

Father, You are righteous, and Your judgments are true. Please soften our hearts so that we turn from our sin and give You glory. Lead us to the Lamb who took Your wrath for His people, and help us to watch for Him this week. Amen.