We read in Revelation 15:7 that these seven bowls, or vials, were “full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.”  These bowls were given to seven angels and Revelation 16:1 tells us, “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”  We notice that the angels were ordered by God to inflict His wrath upon this Anti-Christian people.  Let’s look briefly at each vial that was poured out.

• VERSE 1 – The first vial was poured out upon the earth, bringing great distress and misery to all those who had received the mark of the beast.
• VERSE 2 – The second vial was poured out on the sea, causing it to become like the blood of a dead man. Everything in the sea dies.
• VERSE 3 – The third vial was poured out on the rivers and fountains of waters, turning them into blood, which speaks of all the blood shed that was taking place on the earth at that time.
• VERSES 5-7 – These verses completely vindicate the Lord in His judgment. Verse 6 says, “For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.”  The people are WORTHY of the wrath of God.
• VERSE 8 – The fourth vial was poured out upon the sun and it scorches men with its intense heat.
• VERSE 10 – The fifth vial was poured out on the throne of the beast and darkness spreads over his kingdom. It’s the foreshadow of that final withdrawal of light, the “outer darkness” of that awful time when they who have so often desired that the Lord would leave them alone, will be taken at their word.
• VERSE 12 – The sixth bowl was poured out on the great lake Euphrates and it “was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” This effectively opens the door for Israel’s enemies to enter their gates.
• VERSE 17 – The seventh bowl was poured out into the air. We know from Ephesians 2:2 that Satan is the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” His kingdom is now shook down to its very core.  It is here in these trying times that the Lord assures them “I come as a thief.”  His return would be quick and unexpected.

I encourage you to spend time studying this valuable book and chapter.  There is so much to be gleaned from this portion.  We see that in each vial that is poured out, it represents the Lord’s intolerance of sin and its ultimate defeat.  We learn in Hebrews 10:31 that, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  To meet the Lord while still in your sins would be a frightening thing.  Won’t you confess your sins to the Lord and then join yourself to a group of people who truly have a desire to serve the Lord?  Let’s end this short devotion by considering the words of the Lord in John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.”  (213.10)