God’s Final Wrath

Evil’s days are numbered. There is coming a day when God’s longsuffering patience with idolatrous sinners will reach its limit. There is coming a day when God will eradicate His earth of all evil once and for all. There will be no more senseless murders on subway trains; no more malicious assassinations of good people; no more callous ending of life for unborn babies. There will no more lives ruined by drugs or alcohol; no more shattered marriages; no more sex-trafficking and the exploiting of child labor. There will be no more wars, no more poverty, no more injustice, no more hatred, no more crime or random violence. For there is coming a day when God will no longer restrain the full force of His righteous anger against evil that has destroyed what He created to be good. Evil’s days are numbered.

And the end of evil’s day is where we find ourselves today in our journey through the book of Revelation with the outpouring of God’s Final Wrath recorded for us In Revelation 16:8-21. In these verse we will see the end of mankind’s rebellion, the end of the beast’s reign, the end of Satan’s deception, and the end of the world as we know it. This is not a fairytale ending. But it is the end of sin as God clears the way for the righteous reign of Christ and the new earth that is to come. So, if you brought your Bible this morning, let me encourage you to find Revelation 16, where we will begin to unpack God’s final wrath against evil. And it all begins in verses 8 and 9 with

God’s Final Wrath upon Unrepentant Sinners The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give Him glory. Revelation 16:8-9 As God’s fourth bowl of judgment is poured out on the sun, the people of the earth are now scorched by its fierce heat. John MacArthur describes this, saying, “Searing heat exceeding anything in human experience will scorch men so severely that it will seem that the atmosphere is on fire.”

Here God’s wrath “symbolizes His covenantal judgment.” Humanity is being judged because they’ve thoroughly rejected God’s moral laws, specifically through their idolatry. God’s wrath is being poured out through scorching heat because people refuse to give God glory but continue to worship the image of the beast.

Now, you may have heard people say, “If people only knew the full extent of God’s righteous power and judgments they would repent and worship God.” But here we see the results of sinful idolatry on the human heart. Sin has so hardened their hearts, that they refuse to see any good in God. Rather than return to God, they actually curse God, they blaspheme Him, rather than worship Him.

There is instruction for us in this final outpouring of wrath on unrepentant humanity. God is offering them one final opportunity to repent, but their sinful rebellion has so hardened their hearts, they don’t even consider it. This should warn us about the insidious nature of sin. The more you sin, the more sin can harden your heart. And the harder your heart becomes toward God the less likely you will return to God.

Phillip Yancey tells a story that illustrates this clearly. One day a friend asked him to coffee and then asked Phillip: “If I leave my wife for another woman, will god forgive me.” Phillip was stunned by this question and didn’t answer until they were on their third cup. His answer was simple. “Yes, God can forgive you.” “But the greater question is this: will you come to Him for His forgiveness?” The friend went ahead and left his wife. But he never returned to God for forgiveness. Sin can harden your heart and make you do things you never once thought you might do. So don’t play with sin.

Sin is powerful. However, the good news is that God is merciful. God continually offers us a way to get right with Him. He is slow to anger and rich in love. So, if you find that you are distancing yourself from God because of your sin, God offers a way back. The Bible says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 The evil one is constantly trying to deceive you and keep you enslaved to sin. He doesn’t want you to worship God or glorify God. He wants to ruin your relationship with God. But the good news is that God is in the cleaning business. He wants to cleanse your heart and set you free. So don’t let sin harden your heart. Turn away from it, confess it and God will not only forgive you, but He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. God wants to end sin. But the Devil wants to end you. So repent. Return to God and God will cleanse you. That’s the first way God clears the way for Christ’s reign. Here’s the second way:

God’s Final Wrath upon the Beast and His kingdom The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. Revelation 16:10-11 Remember, that when the first bowl was poured out, harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Here, God judges the realm of the beast with darkness. And this includes all who worship the beast.
The whole world is plunged into darkness. It could be economic, physical, political, spiritual, or any and all of these. We don’t know for sure. But what we do know is the people’s response: “people gnawed their tongues because of their pain.” They “blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores” and “they did not repent of their deeds.”
This is remarkable. However, this is not the “weeping and gnashing of teeth” which represents regret at rejecting God’s offer of mercy, once people are separated from God forever in hell. It is not that, because God’s offer to repent is still on the table. No, this is “gnawing of their tongues in anguish” speaks of their agony, frustration or anger. People are so angry at God for this darkness, that again they curse Him.

G. K. Beale gives some insight to their anguish saying: “God causes all who follow the beast to have times of anguish and horror when they realize that they are in spiritual darkness, that they are separated from God and that eternal darkness awaits them.”

Here again, we see the tragic and deceitful nature of sin. Sinful mankind loved their idols more than God. They loved their sin more than the Savior. Rather than repent and turn to God they continue to reject Him. Why? John tells us why in his gospel saying, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” John 3:19

This is why mankind at the end of days will not repent. Even though God pours out darkness upon the beast and his realm, people will shake their fists at God and defy Him to the end. How tragic? But this is the second way God seeks to end evil at the end of days. He is putting an end to Satan and his deceptive ways by giving mankind the darkness they love. This darkness is God’s wrath on the beast and his kingdom. But God is not done. Here’s the next target of God’s final wrath:

God’s Final Wrath upon the Kings of the Earth This final wrath focuses on three images. The first is of the great river Euphrates: The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. Revelation 16:12 The sixth bowl reveals preparations for the final battle between God and His enemies. The route is prepared for the invaders by the drying up of “the great river Euphrates.” The Euphrates first appeared in John’s visions in connection with the sixth trumpet. There it was a restraining boundary holding back impending judgment. At the command of a voice from the golden altar “the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates” were released from their bondage, and a calvary of two hundred million strong swept across the river to kill a third of mankind (Revelation 9:13-15.)

Here we see that the drying of the river allows for the “kings of the east” who stand for “the kings of the whole world,” to gather to attack God’s people. There is no longer a barrier in place to restrain their violence and separate them from their prey. They believe their victory is imminent. Which leads us to the second image: The image of the three unclean spirits: And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. Revelation 16:13-14 The world’s rulers gather for war only because the dragon, the beast and the false prophet have deceived them. From the mouth of God’s most vile enemies spring forth three demonic spirits in the form of frogs. Once more they act with spiritual deception using miracles with the goal of gathering “the kings of the whole world to assemble them for battle on the great day of God Almighty.”

At this point, just prior to this battle, we hear a different voice. It is the voice of Jesus who announces the third of his seven beatitudes recorded in Revelation: “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!” Revelation 16:15

Jesus is warning the readers or hearers of Revelation that His coming will be sudden and unpredictable. And in light of these gathering armies, we could say that his return might occur when matters seem most bleak for His church. So, this is His warning to believers: to be alert, or to be ready. In other words, there is a blessing in store for those who live in such a way as they are always prepared for His return.

In this way Jesus’ beatitude serves as a reminder for us today. Whether you view this passage literally as the battle of Armageddon, or symbolically, as the ongoing battle believers face every day, the point is that Jesus wants us to be alert and prepared for His immanent return. The Apostle Peter said same thing: “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. 1 Peter 1:13

This is how we are to live today whenever we find ourselves the target of intimidation, discrimination or abuse at the hands of those who hate God. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus, remembering that this world is not our home and that one day Jesus will return. This is our blessed hope. This is how we stay alert in our present evil age, always being ready for the return of our Savior.

Let’s come back to our passage. Now, with this reminder meant to fortify us in the face of evil, John sets the stage set for the final battle between good and evil, as he writes: And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Revelation 16:16. If this is a literal battle that takes place at the end of history, we already know who will win. For this shouldn’t be called the battle of Armageddon, but the great day of God the Almighty. For on this day The Lord God Almighty will pour forth the full fury of His wrath against Satan, His beast and their armies. And He will defeat His enemies and end their evil influence on the world once and for all. Which leads us to the seventh and final judgment:

God’s Final Wrath upon the World The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. Revelation 16:17-18 Domesday has arrived, God is about to complete His wrath – for with the pouring of the seventh bowl, God declares from His throne: “It is done.” So, what is done? First, God’s Wrath brings about the end of the Physical World. As the seventh bowl is thrown into the air, the very world God created is assaulted by lightening, thunder, and an earthquake to end all earthquakes. This is the great earthquake that Haggai foretold, saying, “In a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.” Haggai 2:6

This great earthquake is so devastating that the mountains (often seen as the fortress of worldly power) are no more. And the islands (often the sanctuary of the rich and famous) are swept away. Professor Richard Phillips helps us understand why God needed to destroy the earth in this way. He writes: “The fact that the earth itself must be undone reminds us of the gravity of sin in all its forms. When Cain murdered Abel, God cursed him, saying, “The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.” So does every sin find a witness in the earth on which it was committed, above all – the blood of Calvary where God’s own Son was ridiculed, tortured, and slain. Therefore, if nothing else will persuade us of the horror of sin, the smashing of the world at the end of the age should prove to us how horrific in God’s sight is the stain of every sin committed by man.” This is why God will pour out His wrath on our physical world. God will put an end to sin by destroying the world.

But next we see that God’s wrath brings about the end of worldly culture: The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. Revelation 16:19

God’s destruction of the great city is a picture of how His righteous anger is determined to end the ungodly culture of man. By telling us that the great city is “split into three parts,” He assures us that’s its destruction is complete. Simon Kistemaker expands on this saying: “All the human arguments and philosophical allegations that have been raised against the knowledge of God are utterly demolished.” This destruction is complete as the “cities of the nations fell.” In other words, all the world’s cultural, political, economic and sociological centers are destroyed. They fall because they are all part of the Babylonian world system that God is bringing to an end.

So we see at this point: “God remembered Babylon the great.” God’s focus has shifted to destroying Babylon. Why? Because Babylon in Revelation is the city of man that stands in opposition to the city of God, the new Jerusalem. God remembers all her wicked influence on the world through her immorality, her idolatry, and all her sinful ways that seduce and deceive people from worshiping God. As such, in remembering Babylon the great, God’s wrath isn’t simply bringing about the end of its ungodly worldly culture; God’s wrath is bringing about the end of sin.

It is here that we see God respond to sin with “the fury of His wrath.” Why? At the heart of Mankind’s sin is not simply our personal failures to live according to God’s will but are the choices we make that disregard His will. And it is these choices to disregard God’s will that offends the Holy God who made us. This is why God exacts justice by ending sin once and for all by giving Babylon the punishment her sins deserve. God ends her sin by making her drink the cup of His wrath down to the very last drop. Justice is served. Babylon gets exactly what her sins deserve. God puts an end to the insidious and evil Babylon who has always defied Him and led the world astray.

But there is one more expression of His wrath that remains. In the conclusion of this passage God’s wrath brings about the end of the world with great hailstones falling from heaven: And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. Revelation 16:19-21

Here the cosmic storm of God’s wrath reaches its climax. Sinners have been punished, the cultural centers of mankind have fallen, Babylon the great is destroyed, the mountain fortresses and island sanctuaries have been annihilated. There is nowhere left for defiant mankind to hide. So, now God pummels and pulverizes what little is left with great hailstones of wrath.

Tragically, but now expected, men curse God for His righteous judgment. Beaten, they again blaspheme. Conquered, they curse. Judgment Day has come. And yet, the response of humanity is stunning. So great is their hatred for God, they curse His name with their final, dying breath. And with this, God’s wrath upon the sin and evil of the world is complete. Evil’s day has come to and end. “It is finished!”

Now, if this message of God destroying sin and evil makes you uncomfortable that’s ok. For when we encounter our Holy God who finally seeks justice for sin, it should make us feel uncomfortable. Why? Because our sin does offend Him. And one day, at the end of time, one thing is certain: our Holy God will put an end to sin once and for all.

But here’s the good news. This is why God sent Jesus to die in our place. For it was on the cross that Jesus took the punishment your sins deserved. It was there Jesus drank the full fury of God’s wrath against sin. To end sin in us!

That’s why God offers you salvation in Jesus. Not simply so your sins will be forgiven, but so you will be free from the fear of judgment. You see, God really does love you. He doesn’t want you to die in your sins. He wants to remove them, so you can befree from His wrath, free from your sin, and free to be the person He created you to be.

That’s the good news. The moment you turn from your sins and turn to Jesus and believe on His name, and you will be saved from the wrath to come. And the reason why God’s wrath ends with Jesus is simple. When Jesus suffered God’s wrath for your sin, God ended sin’s penalty for you. And now, the only question that remains is this: Do you want what Jesus accomplished for you on the cross? Do you want to be delivered from God’s wrath against your sin?

And if that’s what you want, you can be delivered today. Simply turn from your sin and turn to Jesus, put your trust in Him and His death on the cross for you, and God’s Word says, you will be saved.