They Deserve It: As the third bowl is poured out, an angel declares: “They deserve it” (Rev. 16:6). The Creator who made all things for good and put living creatures in the seas for life, color, and beauty, He will one day make all of them wash ashore as rotting flesh. He will also turn all fresh water source into blood and give men blood to drink. He will rid the world of the light He made for good and man will gnaw at the pain of darkness. Judgment comes upon the world because of what fills man’s heart (Matt. 12:34): blasphemies against the God of heaven.^[1] From their mouths overflow profanities and defamations against “the name of God” (Rev. 16:9). They know who sends the plagues and they blaspheme the righteous and holy One (Rev. 16:5). Those chilling words from the angel were true of us, but God granted to us repentance (Rev. 16:9, 11). We will forever ascribe salvation to our God and to the Lamb (Rev. 7:10).

Stay Awake: The sixth bowl dries up the Euphrates in preparation for the Armageddon. As the enemy force emerges, Jesus interjects: “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes…” (Rev. 16:15). In this book addressed to the churches,^[2] Jesus calls us to be ready for Him to ensure we are on the right side of the battleline at the Armageddon. We will be on the side of the Almighty or that of the dragon and the beast. Only those who remain spiritually alert and dressed in readiness (Luke 12:35) will be raptured with Christ and will descend with Him as His army for that battle (Rev. 19:11-14). The call for alertness is the call to enlist in His army. May we follow the Lamb, stay awake, and fight for Him. Long live King Jesus!

^[1] Blasphemy is emphasized in this chapter (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21) but persecution is also a cause (Rev. 16:6).

^[2] This book was addressed to the church (Rev. 1:1, 4), to all with an ear to hear (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). This is not the first time such an interjection was made amid tribulation visions (cf. 13:9-10).