Revelation 16:1-21
We turn to Revelation today and a passage that clues us in to a place and a future battle at Armageddon (also known as Megiddo). I've had several opportunities to visit this area of Megiddo and have driven through and gone up on the hillside and looked over the valley of Armageddon. It's quite beautiful--lush and green with fields full of crops.
But there will be a time when things won't be like they are today--and we cannot afford to overlook that. The events taking place in Revelation 16 are awful...horrendous. And then you add to that the hard-hearted response of the people (they cursed God and did not repent) and that tells me we need to do everything possible to reach people with the message of Christ...NOW.
So I'm curious, did Revelation 16 move you like it did me today? What was on your heart after reading this powerful chapter? Tami W.
This passage and similar passages in Revelation have made an impact on me. The response by those on the earth who are experiencing these judgments are almost incomprehensible; and the Bible teaches us that they know that these judgments are from God! Instead of crying out for mercy and grace they shout defiance. This passage and others makes me think about how people today respond to God. When we see those who are addicted to substances or who seem to be in such a mess and who yet refuse to turn to God we often hear "well, they haven't hit rock bottom yet". The idea seems to be that when they hit their "bottom", then they'll turn to God. But isn't it more truthful to say that even when many people hit their "bottom", (like those here in Revelation) that they still refuse to turn to God? Though circumstances can play a part in turning people's hearts toward God, the better understanding is that depraved man has to respond to God's grace. Circumstances are not always, and perhaps not even often, a determining fact. For me, that's one of the lessons of Revelation 16.
I've been studying the story of Lot's wife. And it's amazing how this scripture Revelation 16 ties in. God can personally warn us of his judgment and we can put out a clarion call like Jonah finally did. But if you're heart is still tied to the world like Lot's wife, than you'll surely perish. And that sadden me, because it's not just the world that perished but those who once knew God!! Remember Lot's wife was not ignorant to the ways and teachings of God. She knew that before entering in to the twin-cities of sin. A lot of us today claim to know Christ, but yet we've been consumed by this world. We still have not yet learned how to live in this world and not be of it.
So if this where we stand, smack-dab in the middle of Revelation 16, we're in big trouble and REPENTENCE, SINCERE REPENTENCE IS IN ORDER. AND THAT MEANS LETTING GO OF THE WORLD AND ITS TRAPPINGS!!!
I immediately thought about the stark contrast between the reaction of the people in rev 16 and the reaction of job when he suffered: "though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him"...job 13:15; "the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. in all this, job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing"...job 1:21-22. intense suffering in both sets of circumstances, with reactions that are polar opposites. the bottom line in this: I am alone in this world with my God...it's me and Him. sin and suffering exist in the realm of earth; spiritual warfare wages on. no matter what kind of suffering I am faced with, I MUST worship/praise God. really, what choice do I have??
What struck me is that this is pretty nasty stuff - and it is deserved. We don't deserve God's love and mercy, but we do deserve this horrible judgement. It is only by God's grace that we are given the opportunity to escape. We need to give others this opportunity too.
I did see the urgency of telling others about Christ like you did! He is coming soon and we need to be about our Father's business! We need to be full of the Holy Spirit to give us the strenght, boldness and confidence to witness and be "Strong Christians" in this time of the end times! How do we get this boldness and annointing? By "drawing near" to Jesus in prayer, reading the word which cleanses us and gives us knowledge and faith, and praises to the most High King! I just can't express this enough that we need to be very close to Jesus!
I think about my life and struggling with flesh and worldly desire. What will it take for me to let go and find that He is worthy to allow into all my life -- No matter the circumstances. Is it worth it to me to let go of the world to know I am loved by the God who created the Universe? Will his freedom reach me?
I was just thinking as I read the comments (by the way thanks everyone - again I learned so much) about how much God loved us. He loved us so much He sent His only Son to die a horrible death on the cross as payment for our sins. Salvation is free, but it wasn't cheap. We need to point people to the love of God and do the best we can to demonstrate God's love in our daily lives.