2. The Seven Plagues Revelation 15-16 (p 1147-1148) “The Lamb is on the Throne” The book of REVELATION

3.  The “Completion” of God’s Wrath  7 Angels... 7 Plagues... 7 Bowls of wrath  The “(New) Exodus” Imagery  The emotive impact of the story’s symbolic language  The Encouragement to Persevere  How Revelation tries to encourage God’s people – How we hear it today. Today...

4.  Ch 15 – Two parallel stories  The 7 angels prepare –  Each has a plague, each is given a bowl of God’s wrath.  The Victorious celebrate God’s justice & righteousness  Affirms that these final judgments reflect God’s goodness (not vindictiveness)  The “victorious” have overcome: political systems  The Beast (The ungodly political systems that oppose God) religious systems  Its Image(The false religious systems that demand our worship) economic systems  Its Number(The exploitative, self-serving economic systems that reject generosity) 1. The “Completion of God’s Wrath

5.  Ch 16 – The Plagues/Bowls are poured out  Follow the plagues of Egypt (Exod 7-12) and the 7 Trumpets (Rev 8, 9, 11)  Plagues/Bowls 1-4>on all the earth dwellers (excluding God’s people) 1. Boils / sores; 2. Sea to blood; 3. Rivers / Springs to blood; 4. Burning sun.  Plagues/Bowls 5-6>on the beast/s Evil Spirits (Frogs – unclean Lev 11:9-12) – do counterfeit miracles & signs [ “Armageddon” – uncertain place; uncertain purpose (Battle? Assembly?...) ] Interludes:1. I come like a thief (i.e. When least expected) 2. Blessed are those who are ready for me  Plague/Bowl 7 God’s presence is manifest (Lightning, etc)+ Hail  The weight of the hailstones – a “talent”. Hyperbole: e.g. My bag weighs a ton (not literal!) 1. The “Completion of God’s Wrath...

6.  God’s actions have revealed His authority and the falseness of others  The response of the earth dwellers –  They “curse” God v 9, 11, 21  They refuse to repentv 9, 11  Their fate is proved just and right (v 5, 6) 1. The “Completion of God’s Wrath...

7.  How does an ancient person hear the story?  Evokes the emotions of the Exodus Story –  Plagues (following those on Egypt)... Song of Moses  The story of God’s great rescue of His people.  All about vindication, salvation, the end of oppression, fear, struggle.  John’s point – God is going to do it again...... for the last and final time ! ! ! ! ! HANG IN THERE  Therefore HANG IN THERE (just a little longer) 2. The “(New) Exodus” Imagery

8.  The Prize on Offer – Vindication, the right to be present with God (honour)  The link to culture:  Ancient:Honour Culture = be shown to be honourable / be honoured  Now:Autonomy Culture = do what I want / do things my way.  The paradigmatic change of mindset – Sin is bad; (only) God is Good Doing what I want – contrary to popular belief – will not make me happy.Doing what God wants – “ – will be inherently enriching and eternally rewarding  Have to overcome the depth of the deception of our age - Doing what I want – contrary to popular belief – will not make me happy.Doing what God wants – “ – will be inherently enriching and eternally rewarding 3. Encouragement to Persevere

9.  Call:  Be devoted to Christ  Be Faithful Witnesses  Encouragement:  God is going to rescue us all in a final great Exodus –  We will then be vindicated in all our sacrifice and servanthood  We will be vindicated before all those who persecuted, insulted, discouraged us  There will be invaluable reward for each one of us who has overcome  God is sovereign and has already done this in the sacrifice & victory of the Lamb. Encouragement & Call