The Seven Vials Of God's Wrath
Revelation Sixteen

   Revelation Sixteen gives a picture of the seven vials of God's wrath being poured out. God's judgment, without mercy, issued forth against the Roman Empire and at the end of time similar judgment will be faced by all the ungodly. This judgment had been announced when the sixth seal was opened. (Revelation 6:12-17) The seven trumpets called the people to repentance. (Revelation 8:6-11:19) Sadly, they were not willing to change. Now the judgment against Rome is final.

   Evil people of all ages will face similar punishment to that received by the Roman Empire. The first vial was poured out because of the festering ulcers of sin that are everywhere and now man faces the consequences of his deeds. Moral and spiritual corruption was overwhelming in Rome and the corruptions of our day are grievous also.

   As the others vials were opened we see the sea stinking with blood and death. The consequence of the corruptions of mankind is that the Roman Empire and later all the ungodly of the human race become like the Dead Sea. The cities along the rivers and streams face the consequences of sinful living as those waters are turned to blood. The great cites of the world face very server troubles today. Judgment against them proceed from a righteous and Almighty God.

   Violence becomes a way of life where God is left out of the lives of people. These judgments against the unbelievers are so harsh that some wonder if they could have come from a loving God. We must remember that His judgments are "true and righteous." These sever judgments come because these people persecuted God's people. Those who rebel against God will go down to total defeat. The great city of Rome now faces the consequences of its sins.  

   The first three vials of God's wrath – Revelation 16:1-7: This voice that speaks has to be the voice of God because no one else could enter the Temple because of the smoke. The message to "the seven angels" was “Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."

   It is to be observed that these vials of God's wrath affect the non-believers. The first vial brought terrible ulcers upon those that worshipped the beast and received his mark. The stinking ulcers that are all over the earth are hurting those that refuse true worship. These sinful things also hinder all kinds of legitimate endeavors. It is no wonder that God's wrath is poured out on such evils!

   The second vial likewise pictures the corruption brought on by sin. The beast from the sea (the civil persecuting power of Rome) will face certain destruction. The text says, "Every living soul died in the sea." This speaks of the souls of the wicked.

   The reason for God’s "true and righteous judgment" being poured out unmixed upon these people is stated in the words, "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets." The great cities of the earth are in trouble as never before because God has been left out! The Roman Empire will now face the consequences of persecuting God's people.

   The fourth and fifth vials of God's wrath – Revelation 16:8-11: The sadness of the terrible attitude of the ungodly was that they, "blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds." Even the coming of God's judgment did not lead the people to repent. These rebellious ones refused to drink the "Water of Life" so now they will be forced to drink the "blood of God's wrath." The hardness of man's heart in view of God's mercy is beyond belief. How much more unbelievable is this hardness in view of His wrath? Listen again, "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 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."

   The same failure to repent was seen with the fifth bowl of wrath. "And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon 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. (Revelation 16:10-11) Imagine being so deep in sin that not for one moment would you think of repenting. What could you expect except the wrath of God?

   The sixth vial of God's wrath – Revelation 16:12-16: God dried up the rivers so the armies from the east would have no trouble entering to destroy Rome. As the armies come against Rome false propaganda came out of the mouths of the Emperors to lead other kings to stand by their side.

   We do not see the battle but we hear God's warning loud and clear, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth 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." Megiddo was where God's people won against terrible odds. (II Kings 9:27) Megiddo was also where Josiah died in rebellion against God. (II Kings 23:28-29) Do you get the picture?

   The seventh vial of Gods' wrath – Revelation 16:17-21: The earth, waters and now the air is affected by God's judgment against Rome. The great city in John's day was Rome. The picture now is that she feels Gods' wrath unmixed. Evil was everywhere in the Roman Empire and now it is "pay day" for such wickedness. We now know for certain that evil shall not win!

    The things that happened to Rome give us a brief glimpse of God's final judgment. The expression "Babylon the Great" is no doubt "the symbol of the whole satanic structure." God can not and He will not allow the wicked to go unpunished. Just as God's judgment came on Rome there is coming a final Day of Judgment. Are you ready for the Judgment Day? "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Revelation 20:11-12)

   The horrible punishment awaiting the wicked should move us to obey the gospel quickly. To obey the gospel one must hear God's truth (John 6:44-45), be­lieve in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (2 Peter 3:9), confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized to wash away sins. (Acts 22:16) After baptism one must serve God faithfully regardless of circum-stances. Under any condition, we are always better off to serve God because the wrath of God will be poured out on the wicked.

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

1. Prayer List: Baptist Hospital South: Nelson Daughtry, Stabler Hospital: Alton Till, Jackson Hospital: Raymond Mosley (brother-in-law of Tete Stabler). In Need Of Prayers: Bill Autrey, Jerry Barr, Malachi Beauchamp, Pattie Benson, Marie Curlee, Carolyn Duncan, Randy Fullington, Ethel Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, R.E. Hall, Bill Hammonds, Evan Hartsell, Tonya Hollingshead, Jessie Kennemore, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Deborah Lewis, Ray Moorer, Sherrie Olive, Margaret Phillips, Mary Powell, Kenneth Smith, Osalene Smithson, Doris Taylor, Mary Lou Terrell, and Corrine Till. Crowne Health Care: Mary Autrey, Ila Ruth Callins, Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Raymond Lowery, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, Mary Lou Phelps, and Mary Tindal.

2. Remember To Pray: Eric Bagents needs our prayers as he serves in Iraq. Also pray for Allan Jackson. Eric Bagents address is, 3/117^th FWD1 APO AEO9378. Alan Jackson address is SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117^th FA, APO AE09378, 3^rd PLT. Pray for them and write to them often.

 3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Winston and Annette Temple in the death of their son, Brad.

4. Beautiful Flowers: The flowers located at the welcome center last Sunday were from the Ladies Bible Class in memory of Charlie Brown. The large green plant in the foyer is from Charlie’s family.

5. Weekly Budget For 2006: Our Elders announced that our budget for 2006 is $6,117.87 per week. God blesses us richly. Let us give generously!

6. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: January 25^th Jeff Owens, January 26^th Sue Bagents, January 27^th Blake Bagents, and January 28^th Phillip Pierce.

7. Fifth Sunday Meal: The Walnut Street Church of Christ will share a meal together after morning services on January 29^th. Please participate. 

8. Kitchen Shower: We are in need of several items to make our new kitchen more functional. Everyone is invited to a “Kitchen Shower” on February 5^th after the evening worship service. Please bring finger foods and an item from the list posted on the bulletin board. If anyone has any questions please contact Barbara Walker, Tiffany Till or Ann Cauthen.

9. Sign-Up Sheets For 2006: The sign-up sheets for preparing communion and greeting visitors for 2006 are on the bulletin board. Please sign-up to help – NOW!

10. Ladies Bible Class: The Wednesday morn-ing Ladies Bible Class meets at 10:00 a.m. All ladies are invited to attend.

11. Area Events: (a) January 20^th-22^nd – University Church of Christ – Third Annual Singles Seminar “Standing on the Promises” – Keynote Speaker: Terry Wheeler – See bulletin board for time and registration fees. (b) January 27th – Elba Church of Christ – Singing – Time 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. (c) February 3^rd – Panama Street Church of Christ in Montgomery – Singing – Time 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – everyone is invited.

12. Pictorial Church Directory: You will be pleased to know that we are now in the process of developing a new pictorial directory. This will be an attractive full-color membership directory with photos of our church families. It will also contain a roster (name, addresses and phone numbers) of all our members. We want your family’s photo in the directory this time, so don’t fail to get on schedule. Family portraits taken for the directory will feature the Digital Imaging System, so you will make only one visit to the church for photography and viewing your portraits. Pictures will be taken February 26^th, 27^th, & 28^th.

13. Dishes In All-Purpose Room: There are many dishes in the all-purpose room. Please pick them up now.

The Beginning Of Knowledge

    Solomon wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Noah possess-ed such knowledge that he was the only man in the entire world who was able to save his family from God’s wrath, which came to life in the great flood. What made Noah different (Heb 11:7)? He was “moved with fear.” There was no logical reason for Noah to build a great barge-like boat. It is believed by some scholars that there had never even been a rainstorm up to that point in the world! A knowledge that came by fear separated Noah from the rest of the world.  People in Noah’s day knew some things, but not what it took to save them from the flood. The “knowledge” that is referred to in Proverbs is more than facts and information…it is the knowledge that counts! And only the fear of the Lord will lead you to that knowledge.

   The fear of the Lord comes in different stages. First, fear comes as a natural reaction to something that frightens us.  Learning of God’s might and wrath for the first time will incite this reaction. Second, fear should become productive. This fear motivates one to act. A follower of God will begin to hate evil (Psa 119:104). Third, fear causes a person to stand in Awe of God. This is when we begin to learn that the Lord is compassionate. Hope begins to surface! The fourth stage is reverent fear. At this stage, we have established a relationship with God. We have made God the ruler of our lives, submitting completely to His will. (Adapted from “Wisdom’s Call” by: Drew Kizer)

   Sometimes you will hear of people’s fear “paralyzing” them and hindering them from functioning properly. This reaction is not what God intends our righteous fear of Him to cause. He wants us to be like those whose fear starts the adrenaline flowing and triggers swift, deliberate action. Our fear of the Lord should be a productive fear that stimulates awe and reverence for the almighty, loving God! Make sure that your “knowledge” starts where it should, with a healthy fear of God.

-         - - - Darrell Powell

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!