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.”