Introduction

Today, we proceed with our study of Revelation, Chapter 16. Let me be absolutely clear with you. Even if you survive one crisis after another, even if you try to compromise and cling to a miserable existence to escape the Beast, what will be the outcome? It is sheer suffering. The theme of this chapter is clear: "Just and true are the judgments of the Almighty!"

The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath to be Poured on the Earth

"Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, 'Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.'" (Revelation 16:1)

The people of this world share a common trait: they live merely for the sake of survival. Some might ask, "Pastor, if we do not live to survive, what else is there?" But the greatest tragedy of mankind is the failure to realize that death is inevitable. When that final day arrives, will you not regret your choices?

Life is defined by the choices you make. If you choose to submit to the Almighty, blessings are guaranteed. But here lies the challenge: obedience to the Almighty requires a price, a price that may often seem unreasonable to the worldly mind.

Let me tell you this: in this world, deception by demonic forces is an absolute certainty. How do these demons deceive you? They lure you directly into the path of God's wrath. Consider the Israelites after the Exodus. They exhibited a bizarre, cowardly obsession with survival. It defies logic why they thought that way.

My brothers and sisters, reflect on this. Many of our thoughts arise without us knowing their origin. Are they from God, or are they from the devil? Most people cannot tell the difference.

Recently, I ministered to someone who spoke endlessly until my head buzzed. I stopped him and asked, "Of all these things you have said, which one is the Word of God?" Not a single one was. He had no idea where his own ideas came from. Let me tell you, they came straight from the demonic realm.

If the devil succeeds in deceiving you, it is because you have aligned yourself with his lies and adopted his logic. The inevitable result is God's wrath. Our God is full of grace and mercy, but if we indulge in human reasoning, demonic suggestions, and the trivialities of mere survival, we will inevitably be led astray.

What happens once you are deceived? You will suffer. This suffering invites demonic oppression, and then people expect Jesus to carry the blame for their sicknesses. The blood of Jesus cleanses us, but it does not mean sickness simply vanishes; it means Jesus Christ has borne our infirmities.

Therefore, we must be extremely vigilant. Do not provoke God's anger. Do not harbor the delusion that you can wait until the seven bowls of wrath are poured out before you repent. By then, it will be too late. Those who receive the mark of the Beast will face utter misery—longing for death but unable to die, living in excruciating agony.

Understand this: man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. If your speech is filled only with human wisdom, you are standing on the precipice of God's wrath. We argue and justify ourselves, thinking we are highly rational, but upon closer inspection, it is merely self-righteousness, completely devoid of God's Word.

Let the Book of the Law never depart from our mouths. Let us act according to God's Word all the days of our lives. Even if it costs us our lives, we must not abandon His Word, for our God is the living God who leads us into eternity. In this life, you either please God or provoke Him. If you choose to provoke Him, you have only yourself to blame for the consequences.

Some people live in total denial of their mortality. The husband of one of our sisters died of cancer two months ago. Even after his diagnosis, he was still maneuvering politically to secure an official position. He was highly capable and played the game well; even on his deathbed, he won the election. But what was the result? He expired anyway.

Our brothers and sisters labored hard to minister to him, but his heart was hardened. Why? Because he was deceived by demons. He chose the camp of the enemy, and consequently, he faced the wrath of God. These seven bowls will destroy human life. You wanted survival at all costs, did you not? You refused to die for God or enter His kingdom. Thus, you will end up in the kingdom of the devil, bearing the mark of the Beast.

The First Bowl: Ugly and Painful Sores

"The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image." (Revelation 16:2)

The first bowl is poured out, and instantly, everyone with the mark of the Beast who worships its image is afflicted with sores. Can you picture this reality? You board a bus or enter a subway, and every single face is covered in festering, oozing sores, writhing in agony. These foul and malignant sores will plague everyone globally who carries the mark of the Beast.

Will there be any need for PCR tests then? Absolutely not. The affliction is highly contagious, rooted in the spiritual realm. When God pours out that bowl, biologists will scramble to analyze the DNA, the bacteria, the virus. They will study it endlessly to no avail, and in the process, even the researchers themselves will break out in sores. Is it painful? Extremely so.

The severity of the sores will correspond directly to the wickedness within a person. Some will have them on a small area; others will be covered from head to toe. It will be a wretched sight. And this is merely the first bowl. Do you think you can escape? Where will you buy medicine? Even the most advanced pharmaceutical companies in the United States cannot counter a single bowl poured out by God. This is the price of compromising for survival—you wanted to live, but you will live in misery.

If we observe closely, God's wrath is already being manifested. Do not be surprised when you see hospitals overflowing. None of them are innocent. Their minds are consumed by the logic of this present age, completely blind to their own mortality. I have seen dying men instructing their sons, "You must hold onto this property at all costs." What kind of foolishness is this?

The Second Bowl: The Sea Turns to Blood

"The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died." (Revelation 16:3)

Recently, we see China, the Philippines, and Vietnam disputing territories in the South China Sea, arguing over ownership. The Philippines even attempted to reinforce a grounded, dilapidated ship. Why this obsession over the ocean? Because the sea is a vital economic lifeline and a strategic asset.

Yet, when the second bowl is poured out, the entire sea turns to blood. Every marine creature dies. The water becomes like the coagulated blood of a corpse, filling the world with a sickening stench. Some might say, "Thank God I live in the mountains." Do not be so complacent; there are more bowls to come.

When the sea turns to blood, what happens to the economy? The first plague of sores would have already devastated global markets. Hospitals are overwhelmed; both patients and doctors are covered in sores. Imagine a patient telling a doctor, "Doctor, I have these sores," and the doctor replying, "So do I, but I will do my best." By then, economic order will have collapsed. Within a very short span, before the sores even heal, the sea turns to blood. How can any economy survive this?

The Antichrist may unify the world, but to what end? You oppose God, harboring the delusion that "man can conquer nature." Can man truly defeat God? A single bowl poured from heaven is enough to crush you. Of course, it is still early to speak of this as it has not yet occurred, but even when it does, it will not concern us.

Observing this prospect, I have one conclusion: what is the point of surviving until that day? My brothers and sisters, is it better to be martyred by the Antichrist and the Beast and raptured into the air, or to remain on this earth? Personally, I would rather face death than endure this stage. Martyrdom is far preferable.

When the sea becomes like the blood of a dead man, will you still eat seafood? There will be none left; everything is dead. Maritime industries will collapse; fishermen and aquaculturists will all be unemployed. Some might argue, "It does not matter, I can still rely on freshwater." Remember, this is only the second bowl, and it is already a devastating blow.

How will you survive? If you have taken the mark of the Beast, you may technically remain alive, but what is the value of such an existence? People will still try to migrate, shifting their capital from the US to China or vice versa. But where can you run? What will your money buy? It is an exercise in futility. Some might boast, "We have stockpiled instant noodles and bottled water." Perhaps you think you are clever.

The Third Bowl: Rivers and Springs Turn to Blood

"The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:
'You are just in these judgments, O Holy One,
you who are and who were;
for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.'
And I heard the altar respond:
'Yes, Lord God Almighty,
true and just are your judgments.'"
(Revelation 16:4-7)

In warfare, the greatest vulnerability is the disruption of water and power. If your water treatment plants are bombed, can you comprehend the chaos in a city without water? But here, the entire world's water supply is cut off. You are left with nothing but blood to drink—foul, putrid blood. What will you do then?

Modern warfare targets power grids and water plants. If you rely on desalination plants powered by electricity, what happens when the power is cut? Water production ceases. At that moment, the angels in heaven and the souls under the altar will say, "Go on, survive! Let us see how you manage." If you still cling to survival under these conditions, your misery will be absolute. Let me be clear: if a man's desire for survival is no different from that of a wild beast, then he is nothing but a beast himself.

The people of the earth are waging war against the God of heaven. Go ahead and blaspheme Him if you dare. Some people blaspheme God constantly, thinking they are highly sophisticated. But God knows exactly how to cut off your water supply. Everything becomes blood; even your hotpot broth will be blood. How will you cope?

How wretched it is to have no water. First, you break out in painful sores. Before they can heal, the marine life dies and the sea turns to blood. Before the sea can recover, the freshwater sources are ruined. How can anyone survive? Week one: malignant sores. Week two: the sea turns to blood. Week three: the rivers and springs turn to blood. It is an absolute catastrophe.

Even if you are resilient enough to survive a few weeks, do not be complacent. This is only the third bowl; four more remain. You wanted so desperately to live, did you not? When that time comes, you will long for death but will not find it. It is a terrible fate, but those who reach this state have only themselves to blame. This is the inevitable end for those who know God but do not fear Him, choosing cowardice and survival over righteousness.

The Fourth Bowl: The Sun Scorches People with Fire

The seas and freshwater sources are filled with blood, and humanity is dying of thirst. Then, the fourth bowl is poured out upon the sun, allowing it to scorch people with fire. We do not know the exact increase in temperature, but suppose God increases solar radiation by twenty percent. The sun will literally burn people. You are already dying of thirst with no water, yet somehow you endure, only to face the fourth week where the sun scorches everything to ruin. It will be a merciless heat.

On hot summer days, the ground is hot enough to fry an egg. That will be the daily reality, except you will be the one being roasted. It is pure torment. Yet some will still insist, "A miserable life is better than a good death." Very well, cling to your miserable existence. Drink your blood and let the sun scorch your flesh.

Remember this: if you live merely for the sake of survival, you will fail to live well even today, let alone during the era of the seven bowls. Reflect on this deeply. The scorching sun will bring unimaginable misery. And immediately after that, the fifth bowl will follow. These events will occur in rapid succession, not over long intervals.

The Fifth Bowl: The Kingdom of the Beast Plunged into Darkness

"They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. 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 agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done." (Revelation 16:9-11)

Human beings are utterly powerless against natural calamities. Before the sores from the first bowl could even heal, they had to drink blood, leading to widespread festering sores. The kingdom of the beast was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony. Yet, despite such excruciating pain, they refused to repent. Instead, "they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores."

These people do not even realize where they have gone wrong. How can anyone prosper by opposing God? Why have they degenerated to this state? Because they have been thoroughly deceived by demons. Even if they wanted to repent, they could no longer find the path to repentance. Besides, would they even dare? Repentance would cost them their lives at the hands of the authorities; so they choose to endure the agony without turning back.

At that time, the sun will still be scorching, the sea will remain blood, and the sores will persist. All sources of water will turn to blood. With their tongues in severe pain, they continue to blaspheme God. Can you picture what this world will look like? It will be far more devastating than what Pharaoh and the Egyptians experienced when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.

The Sixth Bowl: Gathering the Kings to Battle Against the Almighty

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

"Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)

Even in such a dire state, the United Nations would probably still be holding conferences! Where are these kings gathering? They too are covered in sores, drinking blood, and barely surviving. Why then do they gather? Because the demons have propagated a lie. Perhaps they gather to solve their crises—maybe to address carbon emissions—but carbon emissions are no longer the issue. They gather at a place called Armageddon. For what purpose? To battle on the great day of God Almighty.

My hypothesis is that these three demonic spirits will say: "Martians are attacking Earth; all the kings of the world must unite." You have all seen the movies. When aliens arrive, everyone gathers to discuss: "How do we counter this alien threat? This must be an alien toxin; that is why the rivers have turned to blood. It is all the work of extraterrestrials!"

How insidious these demons are! The purpose of the sixth bowl is to lead the kings to wage war against the Almighty. Yet, these leaders actually believe the deception, thinking: "Yes, that must be it. Intelligent beings from beyond the galaxy are attacking us!" The masses believe it too. What is the result? Many are still shouting slogans of resilience, vowing to fight. They do not realize they are opposing God Almighty, yet they still expect to survive.

Every soldier is covered in sores. How can anyone fight under such conditions? This is human nature, even today. My brothers and sisters, we must be extremely careful. Some people, when they fall ill, become increasingly hardened in their hearts, and end up blaspheming the God of heaven.

If you observe closely, those who are sick may not say it aloud, but they harbor resentment against God in their hearts. Their logic is: "Why did God let this happen to me?" Brothers and sisters, if your ultimate hope is merely to survive in this world, you will oppose anyone who threatens your survival. You will ask, "What kind of God is this? Why does He allow such suffering to fall upon me?"

Many Christians must be vigilant. We must understand that our only recourse is repentance, and repentance again. Never harden your hearts. Opposing God is a futile and painful endeavor. Consider the physical reality: a single kidney stone, a few cancer cells in your liver, and suddenly you cannot excrete, urinate, breathe, or eat. One moment your hip fails, the next your knee gives out. If God decides to break a man, the afflictions are endless.

Therefore, is there any better alternative than to fear God? None. One must never live merely for the sake of staying alive. Brothers and sisters, we must be careful. These days are fast approaching. Even if they seem far off, we must still choose to fear God and please Him, rather than provoke His wrath. Otherwise, demons will make you incredibly stubborn. I have seen many Christians who are obstinate, refusing to admit their faults, while demanding of God: "O God, why?"

There was a young man in his thirties serving God who contracted cancer. His doctor prescribed a treatment, saying, "This drug has a 60% efficacy rate and a 40% failure rate." The treatment failed. He asked God, "Why did You let me fall into the 40% category?" The doctor then suggested a specialized drug: "This has a 90% success rate and a 10% failure rate." Again, he fell into the 10% failure bracket. He asked again, "God, why?" Why did he not reflect on his own conduct?

Let me offer you a piece of realistic advice, brothers and sisters: do not cling to life out of fear of death. Do not drag out a miserable existence. Death is inevitable for everyone. Do you understand? You must choose how you face it. Whether you fear it or not, whether you seek treatment or not, the end is the same.

I once met a Singaporean who told me, "Teacher, if I am cured, I will still die; if I am not cured, I will also die." I asked him to elaborate. He said, "If I am cured, my savings will be depleted. At my advanced age, how am I to survive?" This is a hard truth. He added, "If I do not seek treatment, it is still death." Perhaps avoiding treatment is the wiser choice, sparing oneself from unnecessary suffering, since the outcome remains unchanged.

Do not be deceived by demonic illusions. Blessed is the vigilant man who keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and expose his shame.

Such deceptions are commonplace. A doctor might say, "This injection costs seventy thousand dollars and will prolong your life by one month. Do you want it?" What happens after that month? Another injection, and another the month after. Some people will take it. Or the doctor says, "This medication will extend your life by a year," but fails to mention that you will be hooked to tubes that can never be removed.

Human beings are easily deceived. It is not merely a waste of financial resources; it is the immense suffering involved. So many are desperate to cling to life. Let me tell you, it is precisely because I do not fear death that I have escaped disaster time and again. Our lives are in God's hands. Why should I worry about such matters?

The devil's deception centers entirely on this obsession with staying alive. This folly is widespread. Do not be foolish; do not be deceived by demons. They can perform signs and wonders. Their deception is highly sophisticated: they help you climb the ladder, and once you reach the top, they pull it away, leaving you to fall.

The Seventh Bowl: It Is Done

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great. (Revelation 16:17-21)

At that moment, people will still be busy holding conferences, debating how to salvage the economy, establishing research institutes, investing fifty billion to find a cure for the sores, five hundred billion to clean the oceans, and five trillion to restore the water sources. Before they can finish, the skylines of all major cities will suddenly resemble the ruins of Syria.

A massive earthquake will strike. Who knows its magnitude? A magnitude seven or eight is already lethal; a magnitude ten or higher is unprecedented. Your newly renovated apartments and newly constructed skyscrapers will instantly turn into rubble.

This is no ordinary event; it is an earthquake equivalent to multiple nuclear detonations. As far as the eye can see, everything is devastated. Disaster relief efforts will begin immediately, mobilizing the military, police, and all available resources. Yet, the earthquake will be followed by massive tsunamis. Coastal cities will suffer catastrophically. Survival will be nearly impossible, and the casualties will be immense.

While people are clearing debris to rescue survivors—despite being covered in sores, sick, and deprived of water—giant hailstones will begin to fall. Whether they are made of ice or something else, we do not know, but each will weigh about ninety pounds. Consider this: a twenty-kilogram suitcase falling from an airplane is lethal.

Imagine a barrage of ninety-pound hailstones. What structure or creature can withstand that? Not even cattle, let alone humans. Some might say, "I will hide in my car." Even if it is a sturdy Tesla, the impact of a ninety-pound hailstone falling from the sky is predictable. Coming immediately after the earthquake, these hailstones will leave the world in utter ruin, though some may still desperately cling to survival.

What will become of this world? God will suddenly remember the great city of Babylon. History has shown this pattern before. Have you seen the ruins of ancient coliseums and temples? These grand structures are now mere rubble. Why? Because the wrath of God descended upon them.

It is difficult for us to comprehend. Ancient Pompeii was an incredibly prosperous city. Excavations reveal that their bathhouses were far more luxurious than anything we see today; they knew how to enjoy life. Yet, it became a wasteland because God's wrath descended.

All investments will be wiped out. Whether you bought a property for tens of millions or hundreds of millions, when the earthquake and hail strike, those great cities will be completely destroyed. If your mind is set on earthly things, you ought to study history. Even if the city survives, you will not, and it will no longer concern you.

Therefore, I warn you: these are calamities that no human can endure. If a Christian remains preoccupied with earthly matters, it is a tragedy. Even if the earth endures forever, you will not. To spend your days busy with earthly pursuits, only to end up diseased and departing this world in sorrow and anxiety—what a miserable end.

Why does the scripture emphasize great cities? Because they offer abundant investment opportunities; everyone goes there to accumulate wealth. Look at Guangdong—people gather there to make money, not to fight or settle personal scores. They go to the big cities to pursue wealth.

Wealth is highly deceptive. In truth, the promise of the great city is an illusion. While we may earn a living in these cities, we do not live for money. I tell you, those who trust in God will never lack resources. God orchestrates these events to teach humanity to rely on Him, yet the world chooses to blaspheme Him.

A Calamity Beyond Human Endurance

A loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, "It is done!" What does this mean? It means the judgments of the Almighty have been fulfilled. His judgments are righteous and true.

My brothers and sisters, we must have a sense of reverence. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We must understand the true purpose of our existence. If we fail to comprehend this, we will provoke God's anger. Some may argue, "That person provokes God's wrath but still prospers." That is a short-sighted view. If you live long enough, you will see that those who live merely to survive inevitably meet with disaster.

These seven bowls are no laughing matter. If anyone believes they can withstand them, they are sorely mistaken. We should not wait for the seven bowls to be poured out to learn reverence; we must fear God now.

This scripture was not written for us to experience these horrors, but to warn us of the severity of God's wrath, the righteousness of His judgments, and the faithfulness of His word. Righteous and true are His ways! Amen.

We will conclude our Bible study here. May God bless you all.

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