It Is Finished!
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It Is Finished
1. The Finality of Judgment
In Revelation 15 and 16, we see the culmination of God’s judgments on sin and evil. The text announces that with these final plagues, “the wrath of God is finished.” These judgments follow a pattern: seals, trumpets, and now bowls, each escalating in severity. Unlike the seals (which affected a quarter) or the trumpets (which affected a third), the bowls signify total judgment. There is no partiality—everything is touched.
We often resist the idea of judgment because it conflicts with our modern sensibilities. Yet the text invites us to see judgment through the lens of God’s holiness and righteousness. God’s wrath is not arbitrary; it is a necessary response to persistent and willful evil.
2. A Song of Celebration
Those who have conquered the beast stand beside the sea of glass, singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. This draws a direct parallel to the Exodus, where Moses and the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea. In both cases, God’s righteous judgment and deliverance are celebrated.
The people do not apologize for God’s judgment. Instead, they rejoice in His vindication of His purposes and His people. They understand that His judgments are true and just because they flow from His holiness. Our discomfort with judgment often reveals a shallow understanding of sin’s gravity.
3. The Holiness Behind Judgment
The angels pour out bowls from the sanctuary—the very dwelling place of God’s holiness. They wear pure bright linen and golden sashes, symbolizing purity and righteousness. God’s judgment is not driven by rage or vindictiveness but by His holy and just character.
The bowls were previously filled with the prayers of the saints for vindication. When poured out, these prayers are answered, showing that God listens and acts in His perfect timing.
4. The Pouring Out of the Bowls
Each bowl brings devastating consequences:
First Bowl
Painful sores afflict those who bear the mark of the beast.
Second Bowl
The sea turns to blood, killing every living thing in it, affecting food supply and trade.
Third Bowl
Rivers and springs turn to blood, confirming God’s judgment as just: “They have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve.”
Fourth Bowl
The sun scorches people with fierce heat, yet they curse God and refuse to repent.
Fifth Bowl
Darkness covers the kingdom of the beast, leading to agony but no repentance.
Sixth Bowl
The Euphrates River dries up, preparing the way for kings from the East. This symbolizes the gathering of forces against God, culminating in the battle at Armageddon. Here, we are reminded to stay alert and ready because Jesus will come like a thief at an unexpected hour.
Seventh Bowl
Poured into the air, it brings a final earthquake and the fall of Babylon, representing the total collapse of all that stands against God.
5. Principles to Glean
Judgment is Ominous
It should not be brushed aside. Even believers must recognize its seriousness as they share the gospel.
Judgment is Fitting
God’s judgments are deserved and righteous, never arbitrary. They come against those who willfully reject Him.
Judgment is Delayed
God offers multiple chances to repent. His patience is mercy, but it will not last forever. Today is the day of salvation.
Judgment is Just
God owes us nothing, yet He offers us everything through Jesus. The cross declares, “It is finished,” showing that Christ bore the penalty so believers could escape judgment.
6. An Urgent Call
The only way to escape the final judgment is to trust in Jesus Christ. These chapters in Revelation highlight the seriousness of sin and the beauty of God’s mercy. Jesus’ cry from the cross—“It is finished”—echoes here, offering salvation to all who believe.
For believers, rejoice in the deliverance and grace you have received. For those who have not trusted Christ, do not wait. Turn to Him today and find life.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: Revelation
Sermon Title: It Is Finished!
Date: Jun 23, 2024
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Revelation 15
Revelation 16
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