Revelation 16:1-11
The First Five Bowls of Wrath

This week’s passage is full of gruesome details: harmful and painful sores, water – salt and fresh – turned to blood, fierce and scorching heat from the sun, darkness, people gnawing their tongues in anguish. God’s wrath, poured out.

Even this grim description of wrath hints at God’s mercy. As Pastor Todd emphasized, the text says twice that the suffering people cursed God and did not repent. The implication is that they understand the source of wrath and that they still have a choice. The offer of salvation is still open, if only for a nanosecond more, but not one accepts it. If we had any doubts about God’s fairness, those doubts should vanish. Take time today to bow before the Lord and affirm that, when His wrath falls on people, they are without excuse; they deserve what they receive. Praise the Holy One, the Lord God Almighty, because His judgments are true and just.

Todd asked a great question: How could someone in their right mind get to this point? He turned to the first chapter of Romans for the roadmap. All of us are unrighteous, but some of us acknowledge our need of a Savior and accept the grace of God. Others suppress the truth, starting with creation. They deny that there is a God who created everything that exists and who ranks above all. As they suppress the truth about God, their thinking becomes futile, vain and foolish. They glorify themselves and answer to no one. Do you know someone like that? I do. Lift them up to the Lord and ask Him how you can interrupt their futile thinking. Perhaps with a question: Who are you to judge God, to sit on the bench with God in the dock? Or, as the crucified criminal headed to paradise asked his comrade who was hurling insults at Jesus, Don’t you fear God? (Luke 23:40) Pray for the ability to ask good questions and then listen well.

Were you cheering inside as Todd passionately preached the gospel to any unsuspecting unbelievers who had wandered into church on Sunday? He challenged us believers to be bold too. Pray all of us will remember that the good news of the gospel includes the bad news of God’s wrath. Pray we won’t avoid or soft-pedal the issue of judgment and that we will never be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. (Romans 1:16)

Calvary Family

Pray over what I have heard called Israel’s 9-11. There are certainly complicated political grievances between Palestinians and Israelis. But it is undeniable that an avowed goal of Hamas is to destroy Israel through jihad. Doesn’t that sound like the work of the dragon in Revelation 12:13-17? Pray for the protection of God’s people, Jew and Christian, in the ancient Promised Land.

Ask the Lord to move this week to raise up many volunteers for Fall FunFest. I heard on Sunday that only about 20% of the volunteer slots have been filled. Ask Him how you can serve or help! Pray that everyone involved with FunFest will serve with right motives and with joy.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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