Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ as it was given unto the apostle John on the island of Patmos. More specifically today’s passage is found in chapters sixteen, seventeen and eighteen of this New Testament book. “Then I hear da loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth” (Revelation 16:1).

 

            “So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image” (Revelation 16:2).

 

            “Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died” (Revelation 16:3).

 

            “Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying: You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, because you have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due. And I heard another from the altar saying, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments” (Revelation 16:4-7).

 

            “Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory” (Revelation 16:8-9).

 

            “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds” (Revelation 16:10-11).

 

            “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming 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 battler 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).

 

            “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).

 

            “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement” (Revelation 17:1-6).

 

            “But the angel said to me, Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes he must continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is the Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Then he said to me, The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:7-18).

 

            “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, I sit as a queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow. Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her” (Revelation 18:1-8).

 

            “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come. And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious tones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk, and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The m enchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing. Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out within they say the smoke of her burning, saying, What is like this great city? They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate. Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her” (Revelation 18:9-20).

 

            “Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in your anymore. NO craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth” (Revelation 18:21-24).

 

            When you come to the sixteenth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find the beginning of the seven bowls of judgment which the angels prepared for that very moment would pour out upon the face of the whole earth. If you ready and study the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find that the judgment and wrath of the living God was described as a series of seven distinct judgments. Beginning with the sixth chapter of this prophetic book we find the breaking of the seven seals which were upon the scroll that was in the right hand of the One who was seated upon the throne in heaven. The Lamb which was slain and who overcame death, heal and the grave was found worthy to take the scroll out of the hand of the One who sat upon the throne and to break the seals and look at the writing which was contained on the inside and on the back. This is important for us to recognize and understand for with the breaking out the seven seals comes the judgment and wrath of Gods being beginning to be poured out upon the earth. There is something truly astonishing about the words and language that is found in these chapters for when you think about and consider the wrath of God and His judgments being poured out upon the earth you must needs understand that it begins with the seals being broken upon the scroll. With the breaking of each seal in heaven a corresponding action would take place that would have direct implications and ramifications upon the earth. Perhaps one of the greatest truths found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the judgment(s) and wrath He poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. What’s more is that what we find in this prophetic book is a mighty and powerful picture of judgment that would not be national in its scope but judgment which would be global.

 

            If you take the time to read the Scripture you will find that in most cases the judgment and wrath of God took place on a national level as opposed to on a global scale. Outside of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ there was only one other time in all of Scripture when judgment would take place on a global scale and that was during the days of Noah when the flood covered the face of the whole earth and destroyed everything that had breath—from the beasts of the earth, to the fowl of the air, to every creeping thing upon the ground and even to every living soul that was present upon the earth. Only Noah, his wife, their three sons and their three wives survived the flood being protected from the flood being safely in the ark which moved upon the waters. Oh it was in the opening chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis we read of the Spirit of the living God hovering over the waters and hovering over the deep and now less than ten chapters later we find an ark filled with two of every living thing that moved upon the face of the ark being present upon it. As the ark hovered over the waters which covered the face of the whole earth Noah and his family would be preserved and protected by the living and eternal God.

 

            The more I read the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ the more I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the judgment and wrath of God being poured out upon the whole earth together with its inhabitants. For the first time since the great flood which destroyed every living thing that had breath during the days of Noah the living and eternal God would execute His judgment and wrath upon the face of the whole earth. Not even ten chapters into the Old Testament book of Genesis we find the wickedness and transgression of man so vile, corrupt, wicked and evil that the living and eternal God chose to destroy every living thing that moved upon the face of the earth by sending a flood upon the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss nor lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the judgment of the living God which would come upon the face of the whole earth. Within the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ we find the judgment, the wrath and the plagues of God being unleashed upon the face of the whole earth and upon the inhabitants therein. That which we find in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ describes the judgment and wrath of the living God upon the inhabitants of the earth for the wickedness, corruption, sin, transgression and rebellion of man which was upon the face of the whole earth. I am convinced that in order to truly understand this it is necessary to consider some of the words which are found in the writings of the apostle Paul beginning with the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome:

 

            “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:18-32).

 

            “Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:7-11).

 

            “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be may sons and daughters, says the LORRD Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:11-18).

 

           

            “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:16-21).

 

            We must needs pay close attention to the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for they draw and call our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth concerning the wrath of the living God. There is perhaps no clearer declaration concerning the wrath and judgment of the living God being poured out against all unrighteousness and wickedness than the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the opening chapter of his epistle unto the saints which were at Rome. The apostle Paul would indeed declare that the wrath of God was revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. The apostle Paul would then proceed to describe the very things for which the wrath and the judgment of the living God would be revealed against and unleashed upon. The apostle Paul would describe the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppressed the truth in unrighteousness but also how what was known of God is manifested in them for God has shown it to them. In all reality we must needs recognize that when reading the words which the apostle Paul wrote in this passage of Scripture man who dwells upon and inhabits the earth is without excuse for the invisible things of God are made manifest in and among them within and upon the face of the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss nor lose sight of for it brings us face to face with the fact that the words the apostle Paul wrote concerning the wrath and judgment of God being poured out from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness. The apostle Paul clearly described how from the creation of the world the invisible attributes of God have been clearly seen being understood by the things that are made—even His eternal power and Godhead—so that MAN IS WITHOUT EXCUSE.

 

            I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which the apostle Paul wrote in this opening chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome and I am brought face to face with the incredibly powerful truth surrounding the wrath and judgment of the living God being revealed from heaven against anything and everything that goes against His holiness, His righteousness and His glory. The apostle Paul made it perfectly clear that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men and then goes on to describe what that unrighteousness and ungodliness looks like within and upon the earth. The apostle Paul would describe this unrighteousness and ungodliness as being manifested in those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. The apostle Paul goes on to describe how that although such men knew God they did not glorify Him as God nor were thankful but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened. These individuals professed to be wise and instead became fools as they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man. The apostle Paul goes on to write how God gave these individuals up to uncleanness in the lusts of their hearts to dishonor their bodies among themselves who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator. Furthermore the apostle Paul describes how the men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust for one another—men with men committing what was shameful—and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. The women exchanged the natural use for what was against nature and would sin against themselves and against the living and eternal God.

 

            Before describing the judgment and wrath of God which would be on a national level I find it absolutely necessary to call your attention to the words which the apostle Peter wrote in his second epistle. In the third and final chapter of the second epistle written by the apostle Peter we find a wonderful and powerful description of the wickedness, the ungodliness and the unrighteousness of men within and upon the earth. What’s more is the apostle Peter would appeal to the days of Noah and the judgment and wrath of God which was unleashed upon the face of the whole earth to speak directly unto the judgment and wrath which would be unleashed in the Last Days. It was Jesus Himself who would appeal to the days of Noah—even the days of Lot—to describe and speak to that which would take place in the Last Days. Jesus described how just as it was during the days of Noah and Lot so also would it be during the Last Days when God’s judgment and wrath would be revealed from heaven against all humanity for its ungodliness and unrighteousness. I am convinced that before we go into the national judgment which is found in the Old Testament—even against God’s own people—there is a great need to consider the words which the apostle Peter wrote in his second epistle as well as the words which our Lord spoke concerning the days of Noah and the Last Days. Consider if you will the following words which are found in these passages of Scripture beginning with the second epistle written by the apostle Peter:

 

            “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willfully forget: That by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as sone count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should c one to repentance” (2 Peter 3:1-9).

            “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat.  Nevertheless, we according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:10-13).

 

            “And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginnings of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads let him understand), then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, Look, Here is the Christ! Or There! Do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, Look, He is in the desert! Do not go out; or Look, He is in the inner rooms! Do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:4-44).

            “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, See here! Or, See there! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. Then He said to the disciples, The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, Look here! Or, Look there! Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sol, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: and the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:20-36).

 

            There is a great need for us to recognize and pay attention to the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for when speaking of the Last Days Jesus would not only describe them as being similar to the days of Lot but also the days of Noah. Jesus would appeal to the days of Lot and the days of Noah when God’s judgment and wrath would not only be revealed but would also be poured out against ungodliness and unrighteousness. In the case of the days of Lot the judgment and wrath of the living God would be unleashed and poured out against the unrighteousness and ungodliness of the cities of the plain which would include the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the case of the days of Noah the judgment and wrath of the living God would be against the ungodliness and unrighteousness that permeated the earth during those days. Both the days and time of Noah as well as the days and time of Lot were filled with tremendous wickedness, evil, corruption, rebellion and transgression the sight of and against the living and eternal God. This is something for us to pay close attention to for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the judgment and wrath of the living God which would be manifested in two different realms. In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah the judgment and wrath of the living God would be poured out against specific cities within the land of Canaan which violated and transgressed the commandment of the living God. In the case of the days of Noah the judgment and wrath of the living God weren’t manifested against specific cities but against all humanity and everything that lived and breathed upon the face of the earth. While the Old Testament book of Genesis is indeed a book about beginnings—the beginning of creation, the beginning of mankind, the beginning of the race of the children of Israel, etc.—it is also a book that has undertones of the judgment and wrath of the living God. It is absolutely impossible to read the Old Testament book of Genesis and not encounter and come face to face with the absolutely incredible truth surrounding God’s judgment which would be poured out twice in the Old Testament book of Genesis. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in this Old Testament book concerning the judgment and wrath of the living God—both on a global scale as in the days of Noah and on somewhat of a national level as during the days of Lot:

 

            “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the LORD said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years. There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created form the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:1-13).

 

            “And behold, I myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them. Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (Genesis 6:17-22).

 

            “Then the LORD said to Noah, Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. For after Sven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made. And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth. So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his son’s wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the seventh month of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark—they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in. Now the flood was on the earth for try days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land died. So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days” (Genesis 7:1-24).

 

            Consider now the words which are found in the eighteenth and nineteenth chapters concerning the judgment and wrath of the living God which was poured out against the cities of the plain including Sodom and Gomorrah during the days of Abraham. Consider also the intercession, the meekness and the humility and compassion of Abraham as he would pray and intercede on behalf of these cities in the sight and presence of the living God:

 

            “Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him. And the LORD said, Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to me; and if not, I will know. Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. And Abraham came near and said, Would you also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would you also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? So the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. Then Abraham answered and said, Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would you destroy all of the city for lack of five? So He said, If I find there forty, five, I will not destroy it. And he spoke to Him yet again, and said, Suppose there should be forty found there? So He said, I will not do it for the sake of forty. Then he said,  Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak; Suppose thirty should be found there? So He said, I will not do it if I find thirty there. And he said, Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the LORD: Suppose twenty should be found there? So he said, I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty. Then he said, Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there? And He said, I will not destroy it for the sake of ten. So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place” (Genesis 18:16-33).

 

            Consider now the actual destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as it is presented by Moses in the nineteenth chapter of the book of Genesis beginning with the twelfth verse:

 

            “Then the men said to Lot, Have you anyone else here? Son in laws, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it. So Lot went out and spoke to his sons in law, who had married his daughters, and said, Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city! But to his sons in law he seemed to be joking. When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city. And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed. Then Lot said to them, Please, no, my lords! Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. And he said to him, See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there. Therefore the name of the city was called Zohar. The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt” (Genesis 19:16-29).

 

            The words which we find in the sixth and seventh chapters of the book of Genesis as well as the words found in the eighteenth and nineteenth chapters are incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to consider them. Within these passages of Scripture we find in this book of beginnings and creation two detailed accounts of the judgment and wrath of God against ungodliness and wickedness. It is impossible to miss these two passages of Scripture—particularly and especially because Jesus referenced both the days of Lot and the days of Noah when speaking of the Last Days. Not only this but the apostle Peter also referenced the days of Noah when referencing and speaking of the Last Days. There is something we must needs recognize when we read the words found in these passages of Scripture for they would demonstrate the judgment and wrath of God against ungodliness during the days of Noah as well as during the days of Lot. What we must needs recognize—especially when considering the judgments and wrath of God as referenced in the New Testament prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ—is that there was another Old Testament instance when the judgment and wrath of God was manifested from heaven against ungodliness and wrath. The Old Testament book of Exodus describes the judgment and wrath against Pharaoh and the Egyptians that the people of God might be delivered from their bondage, oppression and slavery. What we must needs recognize, however, is that these plagues and judgments occurred while the children of Israel and the people of God were STILL in the land of Egypt. It would have been one thing for the LORD to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt and then send the plagues and judgments AFTER as a response to their cruelty against the people of God. The children of Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt in Goshen while each of the ten plagues were unleashed upon the land of Egypt. What’s more is that eventually there would be a distinction that was made between the children of Israel and the people of Egypt as the plagues and judgments which would strike the Egyptians would not touch the children of Israel.

 

            This concept and reality of the people of God STILL being in the land of Egypt WHILE THE PLAGUES AND JUDGMENTS WERE TAKING PLACE is something worth thinking about and considering for there are many who think and feel as though the people of God will be raptured from this earth when the plagues and judgments of the living God will be poured out upon the earth in the Last Days. I have to admit that I am caught between a mid tribulation coming of the Lord and a post tribulation coming of the Lord. There is a part of me that doesn’t feel like the living God will somehow deliver us from the tribulation altogether and that we will be delivered through the judgments, plagues and wrath of the living God as it is unleashed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. This is something worth thinking about and considering for when we speak of the judgment and wrath of the living God in the last days we have to acknowledge that even when the Antichrist appears on the scene he will persecute and make war with and against the saints of the living God. Both the prophet Daniel and the apostle John saw the Antichrist being given power over the saints for a period of time before the saints will be delivered from the wrath and judgment of the living God. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the Old Testament book of Exodus:

 

            “So the LORD said to Moses: Pharaoh’s heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand. And you shall say to him, The LORD God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness; but indeed, until now you would not hear. Thus says the LORD: By this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, Say to Aaron, Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORED commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt” (Exodus 7:14-21).

 

            “And the LORD spoke to Moses, Go to Pharaoh and say to him, Thus says the LORD: Let my people go, that they may serve me. But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt. So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt” (Exodus 8:1-7).

 

            “So the LORD said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth. Lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, This is the finger of God. But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them; just as the LORD had said” (Exodus 8:16-19).

 

            “And the LORD said to Moses, Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, Thus says the LORD; Let my people go, that they may serve me. Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be. And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies” (Exodus 8:20-24).

 

            “Then the LORD said to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if you refuse to let them go, and still hold them, behold, the hand of the LORD will be on your cattle in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep—a very severe pestilence. And the LORD will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel. Then the LORD appointed a set time, saying, Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land. So the LORD did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died. Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go” (Exodus 9:1-7).

 

            “So the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh. And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt. Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians. But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses” (Exodus 9:8-12).

 

            “Then the LORD said to Moses, Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, that they may serve me, for at this time I will send all my plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. Now if I had stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth. But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth. As yet you exalt yourself against my people in that you will not let them go. Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now. Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die. He who feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and livestock flee to the houses. But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field. Then the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail” (Exodus 9:13-26).

 

            “Now the LORD said to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine before him, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD. So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. Or else, if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. And they shall cover the face of the earth, so that no one will be able to see the earth; and they shall eat the residue of what is left, which remains to you from the hail, and they shall eat every tree which grows up for you out of the field. They shall fill your houses, the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians—which neither your fathers nor your fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day. And he turned and went out from Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him, how long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed? So Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, Go serve the LORD your God, Who are the ones that are going…Then the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt and eat every herb of the land—all that the hail has left. So Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind on the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt. They were very severe; previously there had been no such locusts as they, nor shall there be such after them. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. So there remained nothing green on the trees or on the plants of the field throughout all the land of Egypt” (Exodus 10:1-15).

 

            “Then the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt. So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children had light in their dwellings” (Exodus 10:21-23).

 

            “And the LORD said to Moses, I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold. And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people. Then Moses says, Thus says the LORD: About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on this throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the hand I’ll, and all the firstborn of the animals. Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down in to me, saying, Get out, and all the people who follow you! After that I will go out. Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger” (Exodus 11:1-8).

 

            “And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead” (Exodus 12;29-30).

 

As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to draw your attention to the words which are found here int his passage of Scripture within the book of Exodus for it describes the plagues and judgments of the living God against Pharaoh the ruler of Egypt, against his servants, against his magicians and against the land and people of Egypt. In the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, however, it is not plagues and judgments against a single ruler nor even against a single nation and people. The judgments and wrath we read about in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is against kings, rulers, princes, governors, presidents, queens and people alike. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that regardless of when the second coming of Christ will take place we as the saints of God must needs be ready and be prepared for that day when it does indeed come and is manifested among us in the earth. We as the saints of God must needs be ready and prepared for the day and time when the Lord will come for He is indeed coming. The Lord came the first time as a Lamb who would suffer and be put to death, however, He will come again as a Lion who will execute the wrath and judgment of the living and eternal God and will exercise His will upon the earth. Moreover He will rule and reign over the nations of the earth and will do so with a scepter of righteousness and with a rod of iron. OH that we would indeed be men and women who would submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus the Christ and that we would truly forsake and abandon anything and everything that besets us and easily ensnares us. Oh that we would indeed be people who walk in holiness, righteousness and obedience in the sight and presence of the living God. Oh that we would be people who walk in faithfulness in the presence of our God as men and women with patience and endurance as we—like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego—stood and endured in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar and endured the fiery furnace rather than bowing down to the image of gold which he made in the plain of Dura in the land of Shinar.