I’m back…with more confusion! 🙂 Revelation 16 has me bewildered. But rather than focus on the bowls of wrath and their meaning, let me take another road.
Several times throughout this chapter we are told the people blasphemed God.
- In verse 9 it says they blasphemed God because He had power over the plagues but evidently didn’t exercise it.
- In verse 11 they blasphemed because of their pain and sores.
- In verse 21 they blasphemed God because of the plague of hail.
Let me just say that this chapter sounds a little like the plagues God put upon Egypt in Exodus. (Short side note there).
It has always been interesting to me how God gets the blame when tough times come. It is never because of our own stupidity, of course. It’s always God’s fault. Both followers of Christ and those who aren’t followers are too quick to blame Him for all the bad stuff that hits them. It’s as though we think that we “deserve” not to have this trouble. You know…we “deserve” better treatment. Ironically, in this chapter it is those who despise Him and His people who are doing the blaspheming. In verse 1 I think it is summed up well: “they blasphemed God because of …” It’s all His fault.
One last thought before I go: Verse 15 seems out of place but it is a true statement of hope: “Behold, I am coming like a thief.”
God is in control. There will come a day of reckoning. When that day will be no one knows.
“Father, help me to be ready. Keep my eyes focused on You not on events. And certainly help me not to blame and blaspheme Your Name.”
Humans love to play the blame game, Bill. We should remember that we are more than deserving of any correction God sees fit to place on us; it’s only by His mercy that we are spared.
Blessings!
Ain’t that the truth Martha! The blame game is big! And I am thankful for His mercy.
Our Faith in God cannot be based on circumstances, feelings, or experiences… Our faith can only be based on God’s Love. Feelings, circumstances, and experiences may help us along the path… and I think God uses them, but they CANNOT be our basis. Faith is believing when it gets tough! It is easy to “believe” that God is Love when things are going well, the sky is blue, and the birds are chirping. When our bellies are full, the fridge is full, the gas tank is full, and the bank account is full (is that possible?).
Faith really shines through when our joy is not hindered despite the circumstance. The great news is that even when our faith takes a turn, God is there to lift us up, to carry us through the valley and see us through to the other side. I just have to remember that God has carried me before… he will continue to carry me now… He will carry me in the future.
Everything you wrote is absolutely 100% true Ryan. We need to stop relying on our feelings for strength to make it through tough times and start trusting. Thanks for the “sermon.” 🙂