Las 7 copas de la Ira

Examining the Seven Judgments of God's Wrath

Introduction to the Judgments

• The discussion begins with an introduction to the seven judgments of God's wrath as outlined in Revelation chapter 16.

• A significant voice from the temple instructs seven angels to pour out their cups of wrath upon the earth.

First Judgment: Ulcerous Plague

• The first angel pours his cup on the earth, resulting in malignant and painful ulcers on those who bear the mark of the beast.

• This judgment parallels the plagues inflicted upon Egypt, specifically referencing Exodus chapter 9.

Second Judgment: Sea Turns to Blood

• The second angel's cup is poured into the sea, transforming it into blood akin to that of a dead man, killing all marine life.

• Unlike previous judgments where only a portion was affected, this judgment results in total devastation of sea life.

Third Judgment: Rivers and Springs Turn to Blood

• The third angel pours his cup over rivers and springs, causing them also to turn into blood.

• An angel acknowledges God's justice for judging those who shed innocent blood, emphasizing that they deserve this punishment.

Fourth Judgment: Scorching Heat

• The fourth angel's cup is poured onto the sun, granting it power to scorch humanity with intense heat.

• Despite suffering from severe burns and pain, people do not repent but instead blaspheme God’s name.

Fifth Judgment: Darkness Over the Beast's Kingdom

• The fifth angel pours his cup over the throne of the beast, plunging its kingdom into darkness while inflicting painful sores on its followers.

• This darkness symbolizes complete despair; despite their suffering from wounds and burns, they refuse to repent or change their ways.

The Sixth and Seventh Bowls: Preparation for Armageddon

The Significance of the Sixth Bowl

• The sixth bowl involves the drying up of the Euphrates River, which is crucial for preparing a path for the kings from the East to come to battle.

• This event is linked to an anti-Christ strategy aimed at convincing ten kings from the East to unite against the Messiah.

• The drying of the Euphrates symbolizes a significant barrier being removed, allowing these kings to advance towards Palestine for war.

• This bowl sets the stage for Armageddon, where divine wrath will be unleashed upon nations, reminiscent of past biblical prophecies about judgment.

• Three unclean spirits emerge from the dragon, beast, and false prophet, deceiving rulers into believing they must fight against Christ.

The Call to Vigilance

• A warning is issued in verse 15 about Christ's return as a thief in the night; blessed are those who remain vigilant and pure.

• This exhortation emphasizes spiritual readiness and purity among believers, akin to those who follow Christ faithfully.

• The gathering of armies occurs in a place called Armageddon, historically significant as a battlefield in Israel’s history.

The Seventh Bowl: Divine Judgment Unleashed

• The seventh bowl results in catastrophic events including lightning, thunder, and an unprecedented earthquake that divides cities.

• Upon pouring out this bowl, it is declared "It is done," marking the completion of God's judgment and initiation of His messianic reign on Earth.

• This moment parallels Jesus' declaration on the cross when He said "It is finished," signifying fulfillment of divine plans.

• John describes mega earthquakes that have never been seen before; Jerusalem itself splits into three parts due to this seismic activity.

• The great city (Jerusalem), along with other nations’ cities, faces destruction as part of God’s final judgment during this period.

Prophetic Fulfillment

• Zechariah's prophecy regarding Mount Olives splitting aligns with these events; it signifies Christ's return and His confrontation with Israel.

• Understanding these prophetic elements helps contextualize current events within biblical eschatology concerning Jerusalem and its significance during end times.

Understanding the Eschatological Future

The Concept of Babylon and Its Judgment

• The discussion begins with an exploration of Babylon, its significance, and its role in eschatology, highlighting three distinct cities: Jerusalem, pagan Gentile cities, and Babylon which is to be judged.

The Seventh Bowl and Its Catastrophic Events

• A reference to the seventh bowl indicates a catastrophic earthquake that likely caused all islands to sink and mountains to flatten due to its immense magnitude.

• An enormous hailstorm is described, with hailstones weighing about 50 kilograms (equivalent to a talent), emphasizing the severity of this plague as people curse God for it.

• The size of the hailstones is noted as significantly larger than typical ice balls; their destructive potential raises concerns about human casualties and damage to property.

Implications of the Seventh Bowl

• This section reiterates that both the earthquake and hail are part of the seventh bowl's judgment on Babylon, linking these events directly to divine retribution.

• The seventh bowl encompasses not only judgments but also significant future events including the glorious coming of the Messiah King and the establishment of a Messianic kingdom alongside new heavens and earth.

Understanding Divine Justice Through Seals

• It’s explained that all previous seals lead up to this moment; specifically, six trumpets precede it while encompassing all bowls of wrath within this final seal's narrative arc.

• Christ's sacrificial act grants Him authority over earthly dominion, allowing Him to establish His own kingdom through divine mandate earned by His sacrifice on Calvary.

Chronology of Events Leading Up to God's Kingdom

• The entire eschatological program is encapsulated in this seventh bowl; it marks a timeline beginning with God's wrath leading towards establishing His eternal kingdom through justice.

• This segment emphasizes that not only does the book contain judgments but also outlines how Christ rightfully claims His eternal reign from what was taken from Him.