Revelation 16
Sending of the final seven angelsverse 1
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
First angel pours out vial of wrath of Godverse 2
And the first went – and poured out his vial on the earth
and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men
which had the mark of the beast
and on them which worshiped his image
Second angel pours out vialverse 3
And the second angel poured out his vial on the sea
and it became as the blood of a dead man
and every living soul died in the sea
Third angel pours out vialverses 4-7
And the third angel poured out his vial on the rivers
and fountains of waters – and they became blood
And I heard the angel of the waters say
You are righteous – O Lord
which are – which was – which shalt be
BECAUSE YOU have judged thus
FOR they have shed the blood of saints and prophets
and YOU have given them blood to drink
for they are worthy
And I heard another out of the altar saying
Even so Lord God Almighty
true and righteous are YOUR judgments
Fourth angel pours out vialverses 8-9
And the fourth angel poured out his vial on the sun
and power was given to him to scorch men with fire
And men were scorched with great heat
and blasphemed the name of God
which has power over these plagues
and they repented not to give HIM glory
Fifth angel pours out vialverses 10-11
And the fifth angel poured out his vial on the seat of the beast
and his kingdom was full of darkness
and they gnawed their tongues for pain
and blasphemed the God of heaven
BECAUSE of their pains and their sores
and repented not of their deeds
Sixth angel pours out vialverses 12-16
And the sixth angel poured out his vial on the great river Euphrates
and the water thereof was dried up
that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the
mouth of the dragon – and out of the mouth of the beast
and out of the mouth of the false prophet
FOR they are the spirits of devils – working miracles
which go forth unto the kings of the earth and the whole world
to gather them to the battle of that great day of
God Almighty
BEHOLD – I come as a thief
Blessed is he that watches – and keeps his garments
LEST he walk naked – and they see his shame
And HE gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue
ARMAGEDDON
Seventh angel pours out vialverses 17-21
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air
and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven
from the throne saying – It is done
And there were voices – thunders – lightnings
and there was a great earthquake
such as was not since men were on the earth
so mighty an earthquake – and so great
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 to her the cup of the wine of the
fierceness of HIS wrath
and every island fled away – and the mountains were not found
and there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven
every stone about the weight of a talent
and men blasphemed God BECAUSE
of the plague of the hail
FOR the plague thereof was exceeding great
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And the first went, and poured out his vial on the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men which had the mark of the beast, and on them which worshipped his image. (2556 “noisome” [kakos] means bad, evil, wrong, harmful to living things, troublesome, of a bad nature, destructive, wicked, or pernicious)
DEVOTION: Once again we need to realize who is being judged during these seven years of judgment. This is called the seventh week of Daniel. This is called the time of Jacob’s trouble. It is a judgment on Israel for their rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The rest of the world is involved because they have rejected the message of the disciples throughout the ages concerning Jesus Christ. Both groups are being judged because of lack of a proper relationship with the Godhead.
Now we find the last of the three judgments types described in Revelation. The vial judgments are going to cause horrible and malignant sores on the bodies of all those who reject Jesus Christ.
Who is going to be spared from these sores? Those who have not received the mark of the beast or worshiped the image of the political leader that was set up for worship.
There are two types of worship even today in our society. There are those who worship their money or possessions or jobs or sports or whatever takes the place of Jesus Christ in their life. This could even be false religion that doesn’t honor Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven.
These false religions can have the name of Jesus Christ even in their title but they don’t believe HE is the Son of God equal with the Father and Holy Spirit. They have their own godhead. Some say that you need to accept Jesus Christ plus something like worship on the Sabbath or only eating things approved in the Old Testament. Some will have a totally different religion that worships gods with names other then Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Another alternate religion is one that says when we die that is it, there is no after life. It is a lie from our enemy Satan.
CHALLENGE: We need to inform all those who have an alternate religion that they will NOT be going to heaven when they die.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 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. (3340 “repented” [metanoeo] means have a change of heart, turn from one’s sins, to change one’s mind or purpose, to think differently or afterwards, reconsider, or feel compunction)
DEVOTION: We met a woman today that said she was an atheist. I had asked her if there was a section for Christian books in this second hand shop. She said no and then added that she was an atheist. I said that she even believed something and she didn’t know what to say. It is sad to find so many people who think that they don’t need God in their life.
Here we have the final days for those who are living during the Tribulation time period. The last plagues are poured out on the people and instead of turning to God, they blaspheme HIS name. They want nothing to do with HIM. They blame HIM for all their problems. They thought they had it good when the Antichrist was in power. They thought he was doing a good job because they could buy and sell things. They had possessions.
Now they were affected by these plagues of judgment and warning and yet they didn’t want to honor God. They didn’t want to give HIM glory. It seems that they could have at that time still turned from their sins and become a believer.
During this final judgment of the Tribulation period, God sends seven angels with vials of HIS wrath to the earth. As each angel opens his vial some judgment hits the world we live in. The people who are alive during this time period can only feel the judgment. In this verse when the heat burns their bodies they only think of cursing God and not turning to him. They didn’t want to think differently. They liked the things they were doing. They liked the friends they had. They liked worshiping the beast and his image. Things were going well according to them.
God entered the picture and they thought HE had ruined their lives. All they could think of was blaming God for their problems and troubles. They didn’t want to blame their personal sin. They didn’t want to change their ways. They wanted things to go their way without God.
It is natural for us to want things our own way. It is natural for us to think that God is interrupting our plans. However, God is not interrupting our plans. This group of people was not willing to listen to HIS plans for the world.
During this time period the judgment wasn’t for correction but for judgment. The people HE was dealing with didn’t want anything to do with HIM. HE knew it and judged accordingly. Do we have individuals we know that don’t want God to interfere with their lives? Just like the atheist I met today. Do we sometimes feel this way?
CHALLENGE: Remember that whom the LORD loves HE chastens. Only those who are followers of God will be spared these judgments. Our responsibility is to warn those who want nothing to do with God that one day they will meet HIM face to face on bended knees.
: 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, lest the walk naked, and they see his shame. (1127 “watches” [gregoreuo] means wake, be vigilant, give strict attention to, be cautious, stay awake, or be alert)
DEVOTION: We are commanded to be ready for the LORD to call us in the Rapture. HE will come as a thief in the night and sound the trumpet for us to be called to heaven with all of the New Testament saints. We will meet HIM in the air to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ while the seven year period of Tribulation will be going on here on this earth.
Now in this verse HE is warning all the Tribulation saints to be watchful for HIS coming. HE will be coming at the end of the Tribulation period to fight the battle of Armageddon with Satan and his false political leader and false prophet.
The timing of HIS second coming is unknown so they are commanded to be ready. If they are sleeping it will be like they have no clothes on. They will not be dressed for the occasion. Some liken it to the fact that in John’s day the thieves would come in to steal even the clothes of those who were sleeping. When they woke up there would be no clothes to wear. This would cause them to run around without out any clothes which in their society would cause them shame.
It would be a shame not to be ready for the trumpet call for us who are New Testament saints. We are to be ready. We are to be active. We are to witnesses for the LORD.
Don’t be caught without the armor of God on as we battle the enemy. Our armor is Jesus Christ. When we are dressed properly we are genuinely ready for battle or HIS return. [More notes under “Quote” section]
CHALLENGE: Remember we are to be a watchful people. Our eyes and ears need to be listening to the call of Jesus Christ. While we are in HIS service put on the armor of God daily.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. (1096 “it is done” [ginomai] means take place, to come to pass, to happen, to occur, finished or be ended)
DEVOTION: The Bible gives us many predictions regarding the future. This has happened since the time of Adam and Eve. They were promised a coming seed that would give them new standing with God. The same promise was given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Then we have the promises given to the children of Israel at the time of Moses. David and his descendants were given the same promises regarding a coming King.
Now we find a loud voice coming out of the temple in heaven saying that the promised are fulfilled regarding the time of Jacob’s trouble. The seventy weeks of Daniel is over. Everything has happened that was predicted to happen during this time period. The battle of Armageddon is about to begin. Satan and his angels will be defeated. Those outside of Christ will be killed and face the Great White Throne Judgment.
Remember that God established this plan before the foundation of the world. HE is reaching the end of HIS dealings with the sins of mankind. There will be one more final rebellion, but HIS work that was prophesied during the Old Testament and through the teachings of Jesus are now fulfilled.
When our life is done will we look back and see that our service to the LORD was good? We still have time to improve.
CHALLENGE: Let us work for the LORD for the day is coming when it will be DONE!!!
:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (3735 “mountain” [oros] means a mountain. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: Do you remember when you were a child and played a game called “hide and seek”? We were playing this with a child recently, and when he got tired of us looking for him, he made enough noise so that we could find him. Even our children, when they played this game, often gave away their locations by their giggling.
When God starts pouring out His judgments on the world, however, people will try their hardest to hide from God (as if this were actually possible). Not wanting to face the consequences of their actions, they sought natural shelters which they thought would protect them from the fierce disasters which were happening. They flee to the islands and mountains in the hope that these will serve as sanctuaries for them. In doing so, however, they refuse to acknowledge the true God for who He is.
Finally, during the judgments, God removes even these hiding places. It is as if He is saying that there is no place that man can go away from His presence. Everybody will face Him, either for judgment or for salvation. Today we also see people fleeing to what they think are safe havens in terms of their future such as false religions, self-worship, and materialism. What they are refusing to acknowledge is that there is coming a day when they will die, and that death is the great leveler in terms of all mankind. In death, no man is able to hide from God.
Sometimes we think that we can hide areas of our lives from God. We fail to remember that God sees every part of our lives, both good and bad. He does not want us to hide from Him with our secret sins, but wants us to come to Him as little children and seek His love and affirmation even when we have sinned.
CHALLENGE: There will come a time when no one is able to hide anything from God any longer. He already sees and knows all of our lives. Trust Him with every part of your life. (BM)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Templeverses 1, 17
Altarverse 7
Temple in heavenverse 17
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 1, 7, 9, 11, 14, 19, 21
Wrath of Godverses 1, 19
Lordverse 7
Almightyverses 7, 14
Lord God Almightyverse 7
True verse 7
Righteousverse 7
Judgments of Godverse 7
Name of Godverse 9
Had power over plaguesverse 9
Give glory to Godverse 9
God of heaven verse 11
Great day of God Almightyverse 14
HIS wrathverse 19
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Righteousverse 5
Lordverse 5
which are and was and shall be
Judgeverse 5
Come as a thiefverse 15
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angelverses 1, 3-5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 17
Seven angelsverse 1
Angel of the watersverse 5
Another angelverse 7
Unclean spiritsverse 13
dragonverse 13
spirits of devils (demons)verse 14
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Men with mark of beastverses 2, 8
Great river Euphratesverse 12
Kings of the eastverse 12
Beast (false political leader): Antichristverse 13
False prophetverse 13
Kings of the earthverse 14
Kings of the whole earthverse 14
Cities of the nationsverse 19
Great Babylonverse 19
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Mark of the beastverse 2
False worshipverse 2
Shed blood of saintsverse 6
Blasphemeverses 9, 11, 21
Repented notverses 9, 11
False prophetverse 13
False miraclesverse 14
Thiefverse 15
Shameverse 15
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Saintsverse 6
Worthyverse 6
Watchverse 15
Keep his garmentsverse 15
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Prophetsverse 6
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Seven angels with vials of wrath of Godverses 1- 21
First angel
Poured vials on earth
Noisome and grievous sore
Those having mark of beast
Worshiped his image
Second angel
Vial on sea
Became blood
Every living soul died in the sea
Third angel
Vial on river and fountains
of water: blood
Fourth angel
Vial on sun
Scorch men with fire
Fifth angel
Vial on seat of beast
Full of darkness
Blasphemed the God of heaven
Repented not of their deeds
Sixth angel
Vial on river Euphrates
Water dried up
Way of the kings of east
Three unclean spirit
Out of mouth of dragon
Out of mouth of beast
Out of mouth of false prophet
Seventh angel
Vial into air
Great voice: It is done
Mighty earthquake
Great city divided into three parts
Every island fled away
Mountains not found
Great hail out of heaven
Plague of hail
Angel of the watersverse 5
Battle of great day: Armageddonverses 14, 16
Temple in heavenverse 17
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QUOTES regarding passage
It implies suddenness and unpreparedness as far as unbelievers are concerned. Just as Christians are not to be surprised by the Rapture of the church (1 Thes. 5:4), so believers at the time of the Second Coming will be anticipating His return. Blessing is promised to the one who is prepared for the coming of the Lord by being attired in the righteousness or clothing which God Himself supplies. (Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (Re 16:13–16). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Keepeth his garments. “During the night the captain of the Temple made his rounds. On his approach the guards had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire. The confession of one of the Rabbins is on record that, on a certain occasion, his own maternal uncle had actually undergone the punishment of having his clothes set on fire by the captain of the Temple” (Edersheim, “The Temple,” etc.). (Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Re 16:15). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.)
And keepeth his garments. The allusion here seems to be to one who, regardless of danger, or of the approach of an enemy, should lay aside his garments and lie down to sleep. Then the thief might come and take away his garments, leaving him naked. The essential idea, therefore, here, is the duty of vigilance. We are to be awake to duty and to danger; we are not to be found sleeping at our post; we are to be ready for death—ready for the coming of the Son of man. Lest he walk naked. His raiment being carried away while he is asleep. (Barnes, A. (1884–1885). Notes on the New Testament: Revelation (R. Frew, Ed.) (373). London: Blackie & Son).
Verse 15 is a promise to the saints on earth at that time. First Thessalonians 5:2 makes it clear that the church will not be caught “in the dark.” Read Rev. 18:4 and you will see that in this warning Christ is asking His people to keep themselves from the world and the defilement of the satanic system. Keep your garments clean (2 Cor. 7:1). This is a good warning to saints today. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (843). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
12–16 The sixth cup, like the sixth trumpet judgment, affects the great river Euphrates (cf. 9:13–16), but whereas the sixth trumpet brought forth demonic hosts the sixth cup prepares for the invasion of the empire by the kings from the east. These latter are further described in 17:12–13; they put themselves at the antichrist’s behest (17:17), ravage the harlot city (17:16) and make war against the Lamb (17:14). The impulse to do these things is through three evil spirits … like frogs issuing from the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. In ancient times frogs were viewed as foul creatures, sometimes even as agents of evil powers. Here their task, like that of the lying spirit in the story of Ahab (1 Ki. 22:19–23), is to persuade rulers of the world to join in a great final battle against God, in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. The signification of the name is unknown. It is a transliteration into Greek of the Hebrew Har-Megiddo, ‘the mountain of Megiddo’, but the town is located in the plain of Esdraelon in Israel and has no mountain (the nearest one is Carmel in the north). Like the number 666 it had a history in the apocalyptic tradition, but we do not possess its secret. For John it designated not so much a place as an event, namely the last uprising of the wicked against God that issues in the establishment of his kingdom. (Beasley-Murray, G. R. (1994). Revelation. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1446). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press)
16:15 Blessed indicates that this is the third of seven beatitudes in Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Coming as a thief looks back to Jesus’ warning to believers to be vigilant because of the unexpected timing of His return (Matt. 24:43, 44). (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 1757). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers)
16:15 Blessed. See note on 1:3. stays awake and keeps his clothes. Our Lord stresses the need for constant readiness for His return (cf. 1Jn 2:28). The imagery pictures a soldier ready for battle, or a homeowner watchful for the arrival of a thief (see also 3:3; 1Th 5:2, 4; 2Pe 3:10). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Re 16:15). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 15. Behold [come as a thief, &c.] These are the words of Christ, inserted in a parenthesis in this account, before it is concluded, to acquaint his people with his near and sudden approach, and to give them a word of caution and exhortation in these times of difficulty; for he is the Lord God Almighty, who sent forth these angels to pour out their vials, and whose judgments are applauded as righteous, ver. 1, 5, 7, 14 and who so often in ch. 22:7, 12, 20 says I come quickly; and which is to be understood not of his spiritual coming, which will be already at this time, but of his personal coming: and which will be as a thief; as it is often expressed, 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3 not in the bad sense, to steal and kill, and to destroy, though Christ’s coming will issue in the everlasting destruction of the wicked; but the phrase is designed to express the suddenness of his coming, and the surprise of it: blessed is he that watcheth: against sin, the lusts of the flesh, and the cares of this life, lest they bring a sleepiness upon him, and so the day of the Lord come upon him at an unawares; and against Satan and his temptations, who goes about seeking whom he may devour; and against his emissaries and false teachers, who lie in wait to deceive; and blessed is he also who is wishing and waiting for the coming of Christ, and so, being ready, will enter with him into the marriage-chamber, and partake of the supper of the Lamb: and keepeth his garments: either his conversation-garments, unspotted from the world, and whenever defiled washes them, and makes them white in the blood of the Lamb; and keeps them from being stripped of them, by those who would lead them into sinful ways; or that keeps and holds fast the robe of Christ’s righteousness, and garments of his salvation, which are the righteousness of the saints, that fine linen clean and white, that white raiment which only can cover their nakedness, that the shame thereof does not appear, ch. 19:8 and 3:18 lest he walk naked; ערוﬦ מן המצות, naked of the commandments, or good works, according to the Jewish phrase; having lost, or dropped his conversation-garments: and they see his shame; or lest, being naked, he be exposed to shame and confusion, yea, to everlasting ruin and destruction; see Matt. 22:12, 13 the allusion is to the burning of the garments of those priests who were found asleep when upon their watch in the temple: the account that is given is this; “the man of the mountain of the house (the governor of the temple) goes round all the wards (every night) with burning torches before him; and in every ward where the person does not stand upon his feet, the man of the mountain of the house says to him, peace be to thee; if he finds he is asleep, he strikes him with his staff, and he has power to burn his clothes; and they say (in Jerusalem) what voice is that in the court? (it is answered) the voice of a Levite beaten, and his clothes burnt, because he slept in the time of his watch; R. Eliezer ben Jacob says, once they found my mother’s brother asleep, and they burnt his clothes;” now imagine with what shame the poor Levite so served must appear the next morning among his brethren, with his clothes burnt, and he naked; and with greater shame and confusion must he appear at the last day that is destitute of the righteousness of Christ. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 817). London: Mathews and Leigh)
16:15 Blessed. This is Revelation’s third of seven benedictions (see chart). Jesus interjects a summons to spiritual vigilance, echoing his rebukes to the complacent churches of Sardis and Laodicea. Because he is coming like a thief at an unexpected moment (cf. 3:3), his soldiers must stay awake and dressed lest they be caught naked, to their shame (cf. 3:18). (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2486). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
PRAY FOR HOLINESS
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.1 John 5:15
We can pray that all the precepts, all the promises, and all the prophecies in the Bible with respect to ourselves may be fulfilled in us. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). And if you pray for sanctification, you can be sure that God will sanctify you. It is God’s will that we may know His love; ask Him therefore to reveal His love to you by the Holy Spirit, and you can be certain He will do so. And it is the same with all the various other promises that are in the Scriptures: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7).
Are you concerned that you do not love as much as you ought? Tell Him about it; ask Him to shed His love abroad in your heart, and He will do so. Are you concerned about some sin that casts you down? Pray a confident prayer. It is the will of God that you should be delivered from sin; so pray for it. Are you concerned that your heart shall be clean? Well, offer David’s prayer (“Create within me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” Psalm 51:10), and I assure you, on the basis of the Word of God and His character, that He will answer you, and the blood of Christ will cleanse you from all sin and all unrighteousness. Go through your Bible, and make a list of the promises of God to you; then take them to God, use them in His presence, plead them, and you can be quite certain that you have your petitions. You already possess them, and in His own time and way God will give you a full realization of them and a full enjoyment of them.
A Thought to Ponder
We can pray that all the precepts, promises, and prophecies in the Bible may be fulfilled in us. (From Life in God, p. 125.by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.)
FACING GOD
How should man be just with God? Job 9:2
The most urgent, vital question confronting man is still the question asked of old by Job: “How should man be just with God?” Certainly there is a new setting to problems—whether they are economic, political, or educational; whether they deal with the shortage of houses or the proper treatment of strikes. But all these problems are temporary. Behind and beyond them all remains that unavoidable situation in which we shall be face to face with the eternal God, “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
The ultimate problem for man is not himself, his happiness, or the conditions that surround him while he is here on earth. His ultimate problem is his relationship with God both in time and in eternity; and God is eternal, changeless, absolute. How foolish it is, therefore, to argue that modern man needs a new remedy or a new type of salvation rather than “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1 Timothy 1:11), which is to be found alone in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let us agree wholeheartedly with the modern man when he says that he believes always in having the best. The man who does not desire the best is a fool. Let us by all means have the best, whatever it may cost and whatever its source may be. Further, it is true to say that in many realms and departments of life the latest is undoubtedly the best. For example, the decline in the mortality rate in diseases like meningitis and pneumonia is truly astonishing. There can be no question at all but that in the treatment of the ills and diseases of the body, the latest is the best.
But can the same be said about the cure of the ills of the soul? Is there some magical potion that can be given to a man who is on his deathbed, who realizes his sinfulness?
A Thought to Ponder: The ultimate problem for man is his relationship with God.
(From Truth Unchanged, Unchanging, pp. 120-123, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
David commits adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his loyal commanders.
INSIGHT
There is greater pain in sin than in righteousness. David clearly loves Bathsheba. Certainly, it would have pained him had he turned his heart away from her before having relations with her. But that pain is nothing compared to the pain he brings on himself and others by taking her as his own. Adultery, murder, the death of their child, the loss of respect, and the memory of the guilt were some of the results of his sin.
It is sometimes painful to do the right thing, but it is always more painful to do the wrong thing. (Quiet Walk)
The Eternal Cosmos
“He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” (Psalm 148:6)
In this central psalm of the last five psalms comprising the “Hallelujah” epilogue to the book of Psalms, the entire physical creation is exhorted to praise the Lord, as all the universe is restored to its primeval perfection. All the people of the earth, all the angels, even all the animals, will praise the Lord.
Furthermore, in some way that can only be understood by faith, the entire inorganic creation—sun, moon, stars, mountains, winds, everything—will be able to praise Him. Even the primeval waters above the heavens (Genesis 1:7-9) will have been restored, and they will praise the Lord (Psalm 148:4-5).
And all of this will continue forever and ever! The new heavens and new Earth—that is, the renewed heavens and Earth, with the curse removed (Revelation 22:3)—the sun and moon and stars, with the eternal throne of the Lord Jesus established on the earth in the New Jerusalem, in the midst of all the redeemed men and women of all the ages—all of these will forever be a praise to God.
God is not capricious, and He does not fail. He will not “uncreate” what He has created. “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever” (Ecclesiastes 3:14). The earth must yet be purged by fire (2 Peter 3:10), but it will be renewed in righteousness (v. 13) and without any evidences of the former regime of decay and death.
And then it will last forever. “And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established forever” (Psalm 78:69). “[God] laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever” (Psalm 104:5). “And they that turn many to righteousness [shall shine] as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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