When God has Had Enough, pt. 2
What in the World is Going on? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Last week, I mentioned the theme of this entire passage is found in verse 17, and is summed up in just three words: “It is done.”
The meaning is clear. God has had enough. He has poured out His wrath as demonstrated by the seven vial judgments, verse 17 is the record of the seventh and final judgment. With the pouring out of these vials, the tribulation period of 7 years has come to an end. It is over. The action and its intended results have come to an end. The only thing left is what we have been waiting for since we began this study, the return of Jesus to the earth to set up His kingdom, but before He can do that, there are some loose ends which must be tied up.
This last section of Revelation 16 deals with the tying up of those loose ends. Will you read with me beginning in verse 12...
Before Jesus returns to the earth the following MUST occur....
The Kings of the East Must Be Gathered Together v. 12-14, 16
The Kings of the East Must Be Gathered Together v. 12-14, 16
Verse 12 says plainly, Revelation 16:12 “12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.”
The word “east” means literally, “the kings of the sunrising”. Let me tell you there is a great deal of speculation as to just who these kings are. I have read about a half dozen different commentators, and gotten at least a half dozen different answers to this question.
I will say if you want an OT picture of what will take place at this battle, then you should read Ezekiel 38-39. YES, these kings of the East and the battle which follows are Gog and Magog, but if you want an answer from me as to who Gog and Magog refer to you will be disappointed. Here is why:
Some declare them to be a confederation of the revised Roman empire and Russia
Some declare them to be simply Russia (especially commentators writing during the Cold War)
Some call them China or China and India
I have even heard some in recent days, given the current events unfolding in Israel, declare Gog and Magog to be a confederacy between China and Iran.
It is interesting that China and Iran have indeed entered into a treaty with one another, and while it is tempting to declare this is Gog and Magog, I have to say what the Bible says on this, which isn’t much.
The Bible mentions the kings of the East. Literally, the Orient. This would include Iraq, Iran, India, China and other Eastern countries. The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly who they are, so I won’t inject any opinion I have here, all I’m interested in are the facts that will draw the kings of the East to their doom. This will be accomplished by...
The Drying of the Euphrates v. 12
Let me lay aside some modern-day confusion regarding this drying:
I have heard, and read articles by so-called “Prophecy Experts” that the Euphrates is drying up
It is true that both the Euphrates and the Tigris appear to be drying up, and experts predict both will be completely dry by 2040
The reasons for this slow drying are due to the fact of a long running draught, and that there are several dams on the river which have slowed down its flow.
Further, you may Google the Euphrates River, and I encourage you to. You will see photos of a completely dry riverbed, but remember, context is key!
The river is over 1800 miles long, averages 30 feet in depth, and varies anywhere from 300-1200 feet wide...
So, when you see those photos of what climate change is doing to the Euphrates, ask, “Where is the photo taken? How close is it to a dam? Is this one photo indicative of the entire river?”
Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 16
in 1994, the site manager of the Ataturk Dam, located at the headwaters of the Euphrates, was quoted in The Atlantic as saying, “It is true that we can stop the flow of water into Syria and Iraq for up to eight months in order to regulate their political behavior.”
I have heard some so-called Bible “prophecy experts” declare that the drying of the Euphrates is a sign that the rapture is near!
I certainly hope not!
Especially considering that the drying of the Euphrates as predicted in Revelation happens at the END OF THE TRIBULATION!
For that reason alone, I do not declare the current state of the river to be a certain sign that Jesus is coming soon.
Not only that, where in the Bible do we read that the drying of the river is a sign of the rapture?
For that matter, where do we read there are ANY signs leading to the rapture?
The Rapture is imminent and can happen any moment!
There MUST be another explanation
What the Bible is teaching is clear:
The Euphrates WILL dry up at the end of the Tribulation
It will be necessary because it serves as the Northernmost border of the Promised Land and as a natural barrier to Israel’s enemies in the East.
God will dry it up to make way for their long march to Israel.
But why will they come? Because of...
The Drawing by the Demons v. 13-14
Notice what John sees...
“Three unclean spirits like frogs”
Like frogs. Not frogs.
Let me paraphrase this verse, “And I saw three demons that, as best as I can describe them, looked like frogs...”
These are “unclean spirits”
Verse 14 clears this up for us, they are “the spirits of devils”
The word “devils” is from the Greek word “daemon” from which we get our English word, “demon”.
These unholy spirits issue forth from the mouths of the unholy trinity:
The dragon = Satan
The Best = the Antichrist
The false prophet
Notice what John writes...
These spirits “go forth unto the kings of the East and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty”
Some have speculated that the kings of the East have already formed an alliance, but an alliance against the antichrist and are preparing to march against him...
If that is the case then the Beast will send these spirits to convince the kings and their armies instead to join forces with him against the One who is responsible for the plagues: God and Jesus Christ.
The demons accomplish this by working miracles
Let it be known today that Satan has the power to work miracles!
Do not be fooled by the word “miracle” being attached to something - Satan is a very powerful supernatural being, and we often label ANYTHING supernatural, unexplainable, as a “miracle”
These creatures will thus convince the world to align themselves with the Antichrist, but that is the only reason the Kings of the East must be gathered, they must also obey...
The Decree of the Almighty v. 16
Notice the last part of Revelation 16:14 “14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
Now read Revelation 16:16 “16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
The battle to which these forces are marching is not their battle, but God’s!
The gathering together of the forces to battle against Jesus Christ is not their idea, not their plan, but God’s!
There, in the Jezreel Valley, a site of countless battles, including that of Gideon and his defeat of the Midianites, where Samson took on the Philistines, where both King Saul and King Josiah were killed and where Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as he passed through this same valley, “If ever there is a place on earth where the last war must be fought, it is here.” .
This valley has been the site of countless conflicts, and Satan will lure the armies of the world here, why? He thinks to destroy Israel and to put an end to God’s promises. He hopes to destroy all those who have put their faith in Jesus, and he knows, ultimately, he will face the return of Jesus here and wishes to destroy Him. He will be sadly mistaken. See, the real reason the kings of the East must be gathered, is not so that Satan can defeat the plan of God, but rather so that they will see...
The Culmination of the Eternal Counsel of God v. 17-21
The Culmination of the Eternal Counsel of God v. 17-21
Everything that is taking place in this valley, the drying of the river, the drawing of the kings, the gathering of the forces onto this ancient battlefield is so that they may see...
The Plan Completed v. 17
God declares: “It is done.”
I have had enough.
My wrath is being poured out and I am coming for justice.
While the details await us in chapter 19, these closing verses declare that at the exact moment the forces of evil are gathered around Israel, Jesus returns to bring about their end. God’s plan will have been completed, and we will see...
The Power Unleashed v. 18-19a, 20-21
It will be visible and audible
Voices, thunders, and lightnings were present at:
The breaking of the seventh seal
The blowing of the seventh trumpet, and at
The pouring out of the seventh bowl
Theses represent the excitement and power of God in heaven.
It will be demonstrated by:
A world-wide earthquake, so devastating it upsets and changes the earth entirely:
Jerusalem “the great city” will be divided into three parts
Entire gentile cities will collapse
Babylon will be judged
Islands will be covered (possible tsunamis due to the earthquake)
Mountains will collapse
Giant hail stones weighing over 100 pounds will fall from the sky onto the people of the cities, but possibly not those gathered in Meggido - God has something else in store for them.
Essentially, the earth will be restored to something akin to its original state, to make way for the rule of Christ.
God will have justice in this day. Evil will be destroyed, and good will win. In the meantime Christian, be strong, be faithful, and be patient.
Conclusion: Let me draw your attention to a verse I intentionally left out, Revelation 16:15
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Right in the middle of God’s description of His final judgment we read this wonderful promise. This is a promise for those saints who will have been saved during the tribulation period and will witness these events that God has not forgotten them! He is saying “I am coming! My return is no longer imminent, it is immediate!”
Church, for you and me in the time we are living in before the tribulation, Jesus is saying to us, “I am coming! I have not forgotten you and what you are facing. Be strong, be faithful. I won’t be long now.”
Listen to me, the rapture could occur anytime now. If you are saved you are going with Jesus, if you are not, then you will be left behind to endure the tribulation. You say, “I’ll wait until the rapture happens, then I’ll make up my mind.” My friend, there is little to no evidence in the Bible that you will be able to do that, in fact the Bible is clear, those who have heard and rejected the gospel this side of the rapture will not be able to receive salvation on the other side of the rapture. You need to take care of this right now.
Let’s bow our heads for prayer...
If the rapture happens today, would you go with Jesus or would you be left behind? We’re going to stand and sing two verses this morning, if God has spoken to you and you’re not sure if you are saved, I invite you to the altar today.