363 - Beasts and Bowls
- Gwen Diaz
- Dec 29, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 17
December 29 - Nº 363 Revelation 12 – 16
Before describing the destruction that would result from the seventh trumpet blast, John shared several scenes he had just witnessed. They were filled with imagery and symbolism.
The first was of a woman who was clothed with the sun. The moon was under her feet, and there was a crown of 12 stars on her head. (Based on a dream that Joseph had in Genesis 37:9-11, it is likely that this woman represented Israel.)
The woman gave birth to a child (who represented Jesus). Then an enormous red dragon (an image of Satan) appeared and tried to devour that child. But the child was snatched up to God’s throne (which likely depicted the resurrection), and the woman fled to a place where she was protected by God.
John also described a war that took place in heaven between Michael (God’s chief angel) and Satan. Michael and his angels won. They cast the dragon and his demons out of heaven and hurled them to the earth. Satan was filled with rage. He pursued the woman (Israel), but God helped her escape. Frustrated, the dragon focused his wrath on destroying believers.
Two beasts then showed up on the earth. The first came out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns with a crown on each horn. The horns represented ten earthly nations that had united as political allies. The seven heads were seven strong leaders who would lead this union of nations one after the other.
The seventh (and last) head was the most powerful (the antichrist). He suffered what seemed to be a fatal head injury during a battle but was miraculously healed. So, the whole world began to worship him. Satan (the dragon), who probably raised the antichrist from the dead, gave him a throne and the authority to rule over the earth.
A second beast appeared on the scene. He came from the earth rather than the sea. He was a false prophet whose role was to encourage people to worship the first beast. He was given the ability to perform miraculous signs. Under his direction everyone had to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. Without this mark (which was the number 666), they could not buy or sell anything. At that point, a one-world government with one world religion was established. It was part of Satan’s plan to ultimately manipulate everyone into worshipping him.
An angel then flew across the sky imploring the people left on the earth to fear God and worship only Him. A second angel followed, prophesying the destruction of Babylon, which was the center of this new evil government. A third angel declared that anyone who worshiped the beast or received his mark would suffer and be tormented forever! Then another voice from heaven declared that those who turned to God and died as His children would be blessed forever.
It was finally time for the seventh trumpet to sound (see #362 - December 28). As it did, seven angels came out of the Temple in heaven. They were dressed in clean, shining linen with golden sashes. The four living creatures from around the throne (see #360 - December 26) handed each angel a bowl filled with God’s wrath. One at a time they poured the bowls out on the earth. From each bowl came a horrible plague.
From the first bowl came loathsome sores that covered everyone who had received the mark of the beast.
When the second bowl was poured out, the sea turned to blood and all the living creatures in the sea died
The third bowl turned all the fresh water into blood;.
The fourth bowl caused the sun to become so hot that it scorched the people with its fire.
The fifth bowl plunged the beast’s kingdom into deep darkness.
The contents of the sixth bowl caused the Euphrates River to dry up so that the kings from the East could march across it. Then John saw three unclean spirits like frogs come from the mouth of the dragon. These evil spirits gathered the kings of the earth and their armies at Armageddon.
As the seventh and final bowl was poured out, a voice from heaven declared, “It is done!” The most severe earthquake of all time rocked the whole earth and split the great city of Babylon apart. The earthquake was accompanied by massive hailstones.
Once again, the people refused to turn to God and repent. Once again, they cursed Him instead!
A voice from heaven declared that those who have turned to God and die as His children will be blessed forever.
Have you turned to God and become a child of His by accepting what Jesus did for you on the cross? If so, you have nothing to fear! You will not face any of these terrors! You will spend eternity being
amazed by God’s blessings!
God’s ultimate goal is not to destroy people, but to help them see that He is the only hope for their salvation. Every destructive event during the end times is designed to give the people on the earth one more reason and
one more chance to turn to Him!
