Revelation 15-16 The Third Woe -- Whoa!

There’s “an interlude of blessing” in chapter 15, my commentary said, before the third woe begins.  “In their song, the tribulation saints praise God’s works as well as His ways.  The earth-dwellers certainly would not praise God for His works, and they would never understand His ways … There is no complaint here about the way God permitted these people to suffer!  It would save us a great deal of sorrow if we would acknowledge God’s sovereignty in this same way today.”

Knowing that God is fully in control and that everything He does is calculated to be for our good would certainly give us a vastly different perspective on the sufferings we find ourselves facing in this life!

In chapter 16, the vial judgments begin.  Those who submitted to the beast receive grievous sores that don’t appear to ever heal, yet their pain won’t cause them to repent.  “If men are not won by grace, they will never be won.”

The rest of the sea and the fresh water on land are all turned to blood.  Added to this is greatly increased heat from the sun.  What misery!  Darkness also descends 24 hours a day wherever the Beast has his throne so that they cannot operate.  Then the Euphrates dries up to open the path for armies from the East to invade.

The last vial is poured out into the air.  Lightning and thunder precede the greatest earthquake in history, which destroys the Gentile cities and splits “the great city” into three parts.  Giant hailstones weighing more than 100 pounds effectively stone people for their blasphemy (which is the prescribed punishment).  Islands and mountains disappear.  And from the throne in heaven come the words, “It is finished!”

Father, I certainly don’t want to be around for this!  I want those I love to be with me and You in heaven before this happens.  Please soften their hearts and lead them to Yourself.  Let them be won by Your grace in sacrificing Your Son for them!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford