Lord Have Mercy (Revelation 16)

Lord have mercy! How many times have you heard that phrase or perhaps have said it yourself? The Bible is filled with examples of people who are penitent and ask for mercy. God's mercy releases a person from severe judgement and condemnation, even though that is precisely what one deserves. Mercy is different from love. God loves all people, the sinner and well as the saint. We need not ask for God's love. He loves us without us asking. He demonstrated that by sending his only son, Jesus, to die so that we may live. However, we must ask for God's mercy. God gives mercy to those who ask for it with a humble and contrite heart. The events of Revelation 16 are all about severe judgement and condemnation on the earth and its inhabitants who have refused to follow God. Just like the Pharaoh of Exodus, the people will not ask for mercy. They will curse God instead.

I. A Blast from the Past

The plagues of Exodus and the bowls of wrath in Revelation 16 have many similarities, so you might say that this chapter of Revelation is a blast from the past. Seven angels are commanded to pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath. The recipients of God's wrath are those who worship the beast. The first bowl caused malignant sores to breakout onto the people who worshiped the beast. The second and third bowls made the sea, rivers, and springs turned to blood. The fourth bowl made the sun scorch the people. It was more than hot weather, as it actually burned the skin. Do you think these plagues made the people turn to God? Just like the Pharaoh of Exodus, they did not relent. The fifth bowl poured out darkness on the kingdom of the beast. This darkness was both physical and spiritual. Those who worshiped the beast could find no comfort or peace, and they cursed God because of their sores and pain. The sixth bowl made the great Euphrates River dry up. The final bowl caused a mighty earthquake and one hundred pound hail that severely harmed people and the earth. In the midst of all this chaos, God completely protects believers while he gives many opportunities for unbelievers to repent. However, the unbelievers remain belligerent until the end.

II. Belligerent to the End

Verse nine lets us know that the people who followed after the beast blasphemed God - the very one who had the power to save them from the plagues. The end of time society is in chaos because people have not turned to God. Society had reached a tipping point. Where are we today? How close are we to the tipping point? Much of our world is too familiar with evil, persecution of anyone claiming to follow Christ, and the breakdown of the family unit. Our society is doomed unless we work to keep three major entities from failing. First, parents must not fail. Parents are the primary influence on the next generation. They must impress the word of God on their children at all times. (Deuteronomy 6) Secondly, schools must not fail to be a positive influence. With all the influence of political correctness, schools struggle to hold students and parents accountable, often enabling bad behavior and mediocre expectations. Thirdly, law enforcement must be diligent. Law enforcement are an endangered species. Many have been gunned down by murderous criminals who have no regard for life. If these important segments of our society fail, we will have reached the tipping point. Today, our American culture is in sharp decline. It appears that we are perishing and we need to be rescued.

III. Babylon Remembered

Babylon represents rebellion and persecution of God's people. Verse 19 says that Babylon was remembered before God. And now, the time for repentance has come to an end. We live in a Babylonian culture where unbelief is celebrated. Many people have a heart of depravity that has concluded that God could never be the the answer to the chaos around them. Their desire is to keep God out of their life. Verse 15 gives a clue about Jesus' second coming. He proclaims that he will come like a thief. A thief has a calculated plan because he has watched, and he comes when you least expect it. He gives believers a warning to stay awake and keep on clothes. In other words, keep your focus on God and his work and keep your relationship with God strong and viable. The end times will definitely be a time to say, Lord have mercy!