“The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east” (Revelation 16:12).

Only with hindsight does everything make sense.  There are things that happen in life that only upon reflection afterwards will we begin to understand what it means.  The great river, the source of the Babylonian system, the heart of the rebellion against the Lord will be prepared to allow passage by an even greater evil.  Did the Lord not warn us to put our house in order after a demon is exorcised lest seven more return? (Matthew 12:43-45)

The only way out, Lord, is You.  Only by grace and through faith can we escape the deadly traps of the rebellion of this age.  Guide us, Lord, to see through the same snares that happen over and over again so that we look to You for help.  At the end, the east will reveal the heart of wickedness, whatever that means.  But I do know You have come to give us a new heart that longs to be with You forever.

Guide me in the salvation You have prepared in the sight of all people Lord Jesus.  No matter what the end of this age looks like, prepare me to be with You forever.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may have hope for the eternity which You have promised.  Grant me strength to live through whatever may befall me in this age knowing that You are preparing me to be with You forever.  Amen.  

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

And they did not repent of their deeds.  How many times do the mighty go down because they will not repent?  Why is the human heart so proud and filled with prideful contempt?  Even those in low positions hide behind their unwillingness to repent.  Darkness comes and the wicked get ready for evil deeds.  It is the story of wicked humanity.  It is the story of people who will not see the light shining in the darkness.

Lord, what is it in my rebellious heart that does not want to repent.  Why do I do these things when I know that You alone are Lord?  Lead Your people in the way of everlasting life so that we may humbly walk with You.  Take the chips off our shoulders and help us to see things as they truly are.  You have created all things and You have invited all into a loving relationship with You that will last forever.

Savior of the world. Lord Jesus, take all that hinders my walk with You and hang it with You on the cross.  Guide me according to Your goodness and mercy to know that only in You is there hope and a future.  All that happens in this age leads to the final moment of separation.  I will either be with You, or else on the path that leads to utter darkness and ruin.  Let my life bear witness of Your presence within me and reflect Your light upon others.  Amen.

“And the people were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory” (Revelation 16:9).

Sometimes things happen.  The wicked curse God for them.  They do not look to the Lord for anything except as One whom they curse.  Yes, you may talk with the Lord any time you like.  It’s called prayer.  But when it comes to your situation, ask, do not tell the Lord what you are thinking.  God is Lord and Sovereign over all.  The rebellion raises the heart to think it equal and even superior to the Lord.

Lord, I have become caught up in this game of treating You without respect.  Forgive me, Lord, and lead me away from such sinful behavior.  Who am I that You would even pay attention to me; but You do.  Guide me, Lord, to have a new heart that is filled with love and not pride.  Help me to have an attitude of gratitude and not prideful expectation.  No matter the circumstance, help me to always know that You alone are Lord of all.

Lord Jesus, the glory of Salvation, You have done exceedingly more than I could ever ask or expect.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go this day.  Lead me in the way of eternal life.  Help me to bring glory to God through all of my actions that show others my belief in You.  Teach me to ask and never demand from You what I desire.  May I be Your humble servant and willingly live in the circumstances You grant me to live in.  Amen.

“And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given power to scorch people with fire” (Revelation 16:8).

What will it take?  I have seen calamity come upon people and they curse the Lord.  I have heard them say, “Where is your God now?”  It is sad that the rebellion runs so deep in some people.  The Lord allows us to be “scorched” in this world to remind us that we do pay a price for the choices we make.  Sometimes we pay a price for the choices others make.  Christ paid the price for all of us; that for which He had no guilt.

Lord, grant me perspective so that I do not react so quickly to things that happen.  Guide me according to Your purpose so that I live humbly in the truth that I am a redeemed sinner.  Things will happen in this life that I do not understand, but You have promised that it all works together because I am in Your grace and mercy.  Teach me to love You, Lord, as You conform me to Your image.

Thank You, Jesus, for doing the hard work.  You were not just “scorched”, You were killed on the cross and willingly allowed this for all who believe, by which You paid the price for our redemption.  Lead me in the way of truth.  No matter what comes in this life, guide me according to Your purposes so that I may learn from You.  Guide me today, moment by moment, so that I may learn from You how to live fully in the truth of Your presence.  Amen.

“And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments” (Revelation 16:7).

True are the judgements of the Lord.  The opposite is also true.  Untrue are the judgements of this age.  The Lord knows, and not only in our lifetime, the outcome of the string of events that are unleashed with judgement.  We know there will be an end to this age.  The question remains before us: “What kind of person ought you to be?”  Indeed, what will I do knwing these things?

Lord, who knows whether the whole of creation was not put together for the sole purpose of giving us the opportunity of joining with You.  Lead me in the right way.  You are righteous and just.  You have come to give life to those who would follow You.  Help me to walk the path that You have set before me, seeking life first and leaving all other things in Your hands.

Lord, You know all that I need.  You allow things to happen in my life so that I may be moved to where I need to be.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and help me to move there.  Lead me, Lord, and help me to have a heart that willingly receives what You are giving me.  In You Lord I have hope, for all things are in Your hands.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy.  Amen.

“And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, the One who is and who was, O Holy One, because You judged these things; for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it” (Revelation 16:5-6)

Vengeance belongs to the Lord.  He will repay.  But do not pray for vengeance, but instead pray for mercy.  Pray that those in this world would repent and come to the Lord while they can.  Bend your heart toward compassion, for this world is filled with vengeance – and it belongs to God alone.  Only the Lord knows true justice.  Only the Lord can properly deal with the rebellion of the wicked in this age.

Lord, I see these things and then want to seek vengeance.  It is not mine, but yours alone.  Teach me how to be merciful even to those whom I think should not receive mercy.  You have given me mercy and I suppose there could well be those who would rather I had not received it.  Teach me to live as Your disciple as I journey toward becoming like You.  Take me away from living in the way of this world.

Lord, I am easily and often confused between the way of this world and the way to which You are calling me.  It frightens me how easily I revert to thinking in terms of anger and hatred.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life, saving Lord, so that I may walk humbly with You.  I deserve vengeance and wrath, but by Your grace, I have received mercy.  Help me to be forever thankful.  Amen.

“Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood” (Revelation 16:4).

From the oceans, up through the rivers and to the springs.  We are guilty of having polluted our land.  We have not been good stewards.  How much soil has been forever ruined because of our acts?  The gall and wormwood will kill.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.  There are none who are good, no, not one.  Turn my eyes to You, O Lord, that I would look and live.

Lord, You have given us the sign of Moses.  You did not promise that we would escape unscathed.  You promised that we would be with You.  Lead me away from foolish thinking to humbly submit to Your salvation.  Guide me away from where the world seems to be heading.  They believe that we sinners can save ourselves from sin.  Lord, You have revealed the truth.  Only in You is there hope.

Lord Jesus, I sometimes let others define who I am.  I do not look to You and hear the truth of all that You have spoken.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I may humbly walk with You, my Lord and God.  Lead me in the way of righteousness so that no matter what happens to me in this age, I may praise You and thank You for the grace You have given me and do what You require.  Your grace is more than sufficient, and I thank You.  Amen.

“The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died” (Revelation 16:3).

 have often wondered if this is the pollution we have poured into the sea or the after-effects of it.  We humans are guilty of having polluted so many places.  Will we eventually pay the price for our lack of stewardship?  We already do.  This does not mean that a day may come where, quite literally, this happens as it is being described.  For us, this is a reminder that we are called to be stewards of the earth and to seek to obey all that the Lord has commanded. 

Lord, it is difficult enough for me just to work on the commandments You have given me.  I confess that I try to be a good steward, but I am not good.  Tribulation will come because of sin.  Even if I am not directly involved, I will pay a price.  Lead me away from selfish thinking so that in all circumstances, I will give thanks for the salvation You have given me.  Knowing these things makes me sad, but to know Your grace restores my joy.

Lord Jesus, You said there would be a new heaven and a new earth.  You have promised that all who are in You should be with You forever.  In hearing these words today, what will happen between here and there is not going to be pleasant.  Wrap Your protective arms around me that I may be strengthened for whatever befalls me on this side of life, knowing that You will use all things to shape me for eternity.  Help me to be a steward and care where I am able for the world around me.  Amen.

“So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and a harmful and painful sore afflicted the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image” (Revelation 16:2).

Does the Lord do things to punish people?  The world sometimes thinks so.  If people obeyed God’s commands, there would be no need for abortion and there would be no STD’s that they would catch.  Does God cause abortion and sexually transmitted diseases?  God forbid we have such horrible thinking.  The wrath is built in as a recompense.  The deterrent is to cause us to pause and think again about what we are doing.

The Lord desires that none would perish.  When the word of God says this, it means it.  Our Savior died once for all.  We will, however, pay the price for the sinful things we do.  We are forgiven, yes, but the built-in recompense is ours.  If I steal, get caught, and go to jail, that is as it should be.  The forgiveness of Christ may be mine, but I will pay a price for my crime.  Abide in Christ so that His grace paves the way to be with Him forever.

Lord Jesus, I do not understand why I think that because I follow You, no plague should touch me.  Your death was horrific.  If You were not exempt from the sin of this world, and You are perfect, why do I think that I should be exempt from the recompense of sin?  Lead me to persevere so that no matter what happens in my lifetime I know that You love me and that Your grace is sufficient for me.  Amen.

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God” (Revelation 16:1)

The time will come when the Lord ends this age of rebellion.  The time will come when your time is up.  In one sense, both are at the same time.  What will it take to conform you to Christ?  Some will never be conformed and remain in eternal rebellion.  But you are reading this, so I suspect you wish your rebellion to be overcome by the grace of the Lord in order to conform you to His image.

What shall you do?  Will it take the wrath of God to get you to release what needs to be released, or will you willingly come into His presence and walk with Him according to His purpose?  The Lord is calling you and desires that You walk wholly and fully with Him now and forever.  Being saved is not a one-time feel-good moment.  It is the reality of the continuing battle in this rebellious world between our desire to be with the Lord and our desire to be in charge.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead me on the narrow path to be conformed into the image of a child of God.  There are so many stumbling blocks in the way, but You know the desire of my heart.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I continue day by day, and by whatever means, to humbly walk with You.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  In You, I have hope.  Guide me by whatever means I need this day to remain faithful to Your calling.  Amen.