Seven Vial Judgments

Greatest Earthquake of All Time (Revelation 16:18)

Ken

Earthquakes are God’s signature judgment disaster, since earth dwellers generally reside on solid ground that God can shake. The final judgment of the Seven Vial Judgments is the greatest earthquake of all time. “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great” (Revelation 16:18 KJV). This unprecedented shaking of everywhere on planet earth at the same time would be akin to heavy artillery softening things up, but worse, before invasion, as well as, ensuring no one will be ignored in the judgments of God. Once poured out, “there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done” (16:17). This is the Almighty declaring the last judgment of the Tribulation completed, just as the Messiah announced His atoning work was completely accomplished, “It is finished” (John 19:30). “Voices” (16:18) along with “thunders, and lightnings” (16:18) accompany the “great earthquake” (16:18). Those voices (Revelation 4:5; 8:5; 11:19) belong to a great “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) of humans and angels, voicing their agreement, approval, encouragement, congratulations, fascination, and interest in Jehovah’s “work, His strange work” (Isaiah 28:21) of judgment. God is schooling us for our future judgment of angels (1Corinthians 6:3). 

Babylon is the “great city” (Revelation 16:19) that will be “divided into three parts” (16:19), in other words, destroyed. Since the Revelation narrative proceeds immediately to a description of Babylon the Great (Chapter 17) and the Fall of Babylon (Chapter 18), then Rome would be most likely the great city named. “And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath” (16:19). Additionally: (1) “the cities of the nations fell” (16:19), all cities are destroyed, like WW2 Stalingrad, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Dresden, or Berlin, (2) the topography of every “island fled away” (16:20) existing no longer, (3) “mountains were not found” (16:20) laying down, and (4) “gigantic hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people, but they blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since it was so horrendous” (16:21 NET). 

LORD, my mind reels from the description of the total devastation of just this Seventh Vial Judgment. We always knew You could do something so horrendously different, but now we can see why You have held back Your hand. Fulfill Your prophecies and faithfully pour out Your judgments. I give You thanks for delivering Your Church from the wrath to come and from all these things that will come to pass. May a righteous seed come even out of all of this. May Israel be that nation born in a day. Lord, come quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Preparation for the Kings of the East (Revelation 16:12)

Ken

Drying up the Euphrates River in preparation for the Kings of the East to cross for the Battle of Armageddon is already in progress. “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared” (Revelation 16:12 KJV). Though an Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources (2021) report warned that the Tigris-Euphrates River system could run dry by 2040 due to declining water levels and droughts driven by climate change, the Sixth Vial Judgment will be the completed accomplishment of that warning. The LORD told Abraham that the Euphrates is the eastern boundary of Israel (Genesis 15:18). “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet. Till Earth and Sky stand presently, at God’s great Judgment Seat” (The Ballad of East and West, 1889, Rudyard Kipling). The picture of demonic frogs coming out of the mouths of the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet (16:13) only reinforce the idea of an Unholy Trinity, which use miracles to draw the kings of the earth into battle against the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. Only deception and insanity make it a good idea to fight against Almighty God at any time, much less at Armageddon (16:16). “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (16:14). And, a final invitation from the Lord Jesus indicates the harvest is about to be complete. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (16:15). LORD, magnify Yourself in judgment. Fulfill all Your pleasure in redeeming souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen and amen. 

Kingdom Was Full of Darkness (Revelation 16:10)

Ken

“We prefer seeing to everything else,” wrote Aristotle, and the Fifth Vial Judgment brings absolute darkness upon the kingdom of the Beast. “And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain” (Revelation 16:10 KJV). The human mind is baffled by apocalyptic judgments because we cannot explain the physics of how darkness can be present in all places, where the kingdom of the Beast is, but with the Almighty “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Of course, this makes no difference to these hardened rebels, who have survived the horrors of God’s judgments up to that point. But, evidently our All Wise God must save all the elect, for this is His method in the Final Harvest. “1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart, and the year of My redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore Mine own arm brought salvation unto Me; and My fury, it upheld Me. 6 And I will tread down the people in Mine anger, and make them drunk in My fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth” (Isaiah 63:1-6). 

The Fifth Vial Judgment brings a painful darkness causing Beast worshippers to gnaw their tongue (Revelation 16:10); but still, they “blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds” (16:11). Even comparing the carnage of an entire world wiped clean by a Flood (Genesis 6), this Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) has been worthy of recording the Book of Revelation as the final capstone of the NT canon. We may speculate what those who drowned in the Deluge of Noah might have said, as the water crested over their heads. But, the official transcription of the words of the Beast Worshippers in this Fifth Vial Judgment is marked, BLASPHEMED THE GOD OF HEAVEN. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). LORD, You are worthy to fulfill all Your prophecies and judgments. Grant us understanding that we may not only sympathize with Your actions, but pray that You would return and accomplish all Your judgments. Remove our ignorance and grant us Your understanding. Will Thou not judge them? In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Scorched With Fire And Great Heat (Revelation 16:8-9)

Ken

Scorching with fire and great heat, the Fourth Vial Judgment is poured out on the sun. “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory” (Revelation 16:8-9 KJV). Humanity, like Nebuchadnezzar, when he was chastened for his sins, was tormented for a season, then repented (Daniel 4), may still repent; but, at this point, they still “blasphemed the name of God” (Revelation 16:9) and repented not. If we wonder how much something is worth, apocalyptic judgments such as this answer that question. Solar flares, which typically release the energy equivalent of millions of 100-megaton hydrogen bombs exploding simultaneously, do not force the rebels to repent, but only entrench themselves against the Almighty. What will the LORD do? “Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth.” (Romans 9:18). Remember, God is not required to have mercy on rebels. It is entirely up to Him. His judgments will further harden those, who will be hardened, but they will harvest those, who will be harvested. “33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? 36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (11:33-36). Before all these judgments fall upon this earth, we ought carefully to consider our understanding and attitude about God’s actions, for either we agree with His actions and sanction His conduct, or we are puzzled by His judgments and mystified by His actions. Do we stand with Jehoshaphat and pray, “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them?” (2Chronicles 20:12)? Do we unite with those “under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” (Revelation 6:9), and cry out in prayer, “Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments” (16:7)? Do we give God our understanding, voice, agreement, sanction, and the prayer necessary for Jesus to return, God to fulfill His judgments, His Millennial Kingdom to come, and Eden to be restored? 

Father, truly You are to be justified for all Your actions. Enlarge our understanding that we may give You greater sanction to fulfill all Your prophecies. Overcome our ignorance and prejudice that we might come before the Courts of Heaven and be numbered among those who are friends of the Court. May we voice our agreement with Your judgments. And, may Your judgments produce a harvest worthy of Your Son’s sacrifice. We pray particularly that You would fulfil Your covenant that all Israel shall be saved. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen. 

Blood of a Dead Man (Revelation 16:3)

Ken

Earth becomes the red planet, when the Second Vial Judgment is poured out upon the earth. “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea” (Revelation 16:3 KJV). Unlike Moses turning the Nile River of Egypt to blood (Exodus 7:17-18) or the Second Seal Judgment turning only a third of the seas into blood (Revelation 8:8), this transforms the oceans and seas of the world into the “blood of a dead man” (16:3). Our beautiful planet, when viewed from space, is 70.8 percent covered by oceans and marginal seas, encompassing 139.4 million square miles (361.1 million square kilometers), holding a volume of 329 million cubic miles (1.37 billion cubic kilometers) of seawater, at an average depth of 12,450 feet (3,795 meters), and appearing in rich shades of blue under patches, bands, and swirls of clouds. All of that turns to blood. The only thing worse would be all of the fresh water sources also turning to blood, and this happens directly next, when the Third Vial Judgment is poured out. “And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood” (16:4). Why all of the blood? “And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy” (16:5-6). If all this sounds unimaginably extreme, then we can begin to comprehend God’s estimation of humanity’s conduct. 

Thy Judgments Are Made Manifest (Revelation 15:4)

Ken

A dramatic pause before the final battle climax, where already victorious Tribulation Saints extol the Almighty for His judgment upon the Antichrist, even as the concluding Seven Vial Judgments are prepared for outpouring. “Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest” (Revelation 15:4 KJV). By this time, the Church has shed all reluctance to see God’s judgments poured out upon the earth, realizing what the Psalmist always knew. “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9). Judgment alone has never been the real enemy, but unrighteous judgment (John 7:24) is always to be hated. All differences among brothers and sisters about the rightness of judging one another would have been melted away by the Holy Spirit, as we sanction the Lord God Almighty to judge the Earth. “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them?” (2Chronicles 20:12). The “wrath of God” (Revelation 15:1) readies itself to be poured out as the Translated Saints stand upon the “sea of glass mingled with fire” (15:2), signifying the judgment of God. Lord God Almighty, cause us not to judge according to man’s judgment by outward appearance, but to judge righteous judgment. LORD, especially open the eyes of Your Church that they may not receive the testimony of anyone, who claims to know You, while walking in disobedience. May all our objections to judge be already melted away, as we sanction and call upon You to judge the god of this world, his Antichrist, the False Prophet, and all the minions of little gods, who plague this earth, even now. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen. 

Messages From Three Angels (Revelation 14:6-13)

Ken

The Gospel, judgment for Babylon, and personal judgment are the messages of the three angels from God to the world. With the removal of the 144,000 and the Two Witnesses at the Pre-Wrath Rapture, no other outward testimony for the LORD exists on planet earth, but these three angels, before the handfuls of days left for the completion of the Seven Vial Judgments at the end of the Tribulation Week. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6 KJV). The Gospel is the Greek euaggelionor good news, but it is only good news, if you repent. The second angel announces, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (14:8). This warns of the soon and sudden demise — “in one hour” (18:17) — of the Beast’s religious and economic systems detailed in Revelation 17 and 18. And finally, the third Angel warns of the “wrath of God” (14:10) for all worshippers of the Antichrist, and blessing for those who “die in the Lord from henceforth” (14:13). The stage is now set for the final judgment of the earth. LORD, we can barely imagine the scope of what You have set for Your program of dealing with humanity. How You have wisely designed all these interactions and prophesied their fulfillment, knowing that You will bring them to pass contrary to the best efforts of the Devil, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. Glory to Your name. We magnify You for Your mercy and grace in salvation. And, we praise and extol You for Your righteousness and judgment of the earth. Fulfill all Your prophecies and keep all Your promises. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.