Passage: Revelation 16
Theme: The Bowl Judgments
Revelation 16 details God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth and the responses it elicits.
1. 7 Bowl Judgments: God’s wrath poured out
Bowl 1: Horrific sores (2)
Bowl 2: Sea turned to blood (3)
Bowl 3: Fresh water turned to blood (4)
Rationale: God will justly retribute people for their treatment of His witnesses (5–7).
Bowl 4: Sun scorches people (8–9)
Bowl 5: Darkness engulfs the beast’s kingdom (10–11)
Bowl 6: Euphrates dried in preparation for Harmagedon (12–16)
Bowl 7: God completes His judgment with Christ’s return (17–21)
2. Response of the people experiencing judgment:
a. Blaspheme God
b. Refuse to repent
c. Follow the deception to go to war against God
Main Idea: Eventually, those who reject and oppose the Lamb will deservedly experience the destruction of God’s wrath.
How are the Lamb’s followers to respond to this vision?
• Acknowledge God’s justice: worship and witness
• Stay prepared for Christ’s return: dressed and engaged in this spiritual war
Application Questions:
What about this vision makes you uneasy? What rationale does the text provide for such displays of God’s wrath?
Do you believe that this display of God’s wrath is justified? Why or why not?
Why do people refuse to repent and choose rather to blaspheme God and oppose Him and His followers? How is this seen today?
How do we stay alert and dressed for Christ’s return? What should this mean in our treatment of others, both believers and unbelievers?
July 10, 2022
The Bowl Judgments
July 10, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 16
October 9, 2022
October 9, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:18–21
Passage: Revelation 22:18–21 Theme: Conclusion to Revelation Revelation’s conclusion leaves us with three final challenges: 1. Be Warned (18–19) a. To hearers who add to the Word, God will pour out His plagues. b. To hearers who subtract from the Word, God will remove them from life in His city. Application: • Teach the Word and only the Word. • Live according to the Word. 2. Trust His Promise (20) a. Jesus is coming soon! b. His followers long for His return. 3. Receive Grace (21) a. From beginning to end, its only by grace. b. Jesus offers grace to all of us. Main Idea: HEED JESUS FINAL WORDS! Application Questions: • What does it mean to add to God’s prophetic word? How are you tempted to add to God’s word? • What does it mean to subtract from God’s word? How are you tempted to subtract from God’s word? • Do these warning apply to believers? How do vv. 18–19 impact our understanding of eternal security? • What can you do to keep your focus on Christ and His coming? • What application can we make from the final statement that Jesus extends His grace to all of us?
October 2, 2022
October 2, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:16–17
Passage: Revelation 22:16-17 Theme: A Call to “Come” 1. Jesus’ Testimony (16a) a. “I, Jesus” i. Authorization ii. Autograph iii. Attestation b. “give you this testimony for the churches” i. Warning ii. Encouragement iii. Exhortation 2. Jesus’ Credentials (16b) a. He is God (“I am”) b. He is Messiah 3. Invitations to “Come” (17) a. The Spirit and Bride say “Come” b. Let the hearer say “Come” c. Let the one in need come d. Let the desirer take freely of the life-giving water Main Idea: Jesus’ Revelation invokes invitation. Will you come?
September 25, 2022
September 25, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:12–15
Passage: Revelation 22:12–15 Theme: Payday is Coming Notice three truths about payment at the Second Coming: 1. Jesus brings life’s paycheck (12–13). a. He renders payment because He is God (13). b. He pays each of us for what we have done (12b). 2. He blesses those who repent to receive His cleansing (14). a. Penitents have the right to partake in eternal life. b. They can freely come into God’s eternal presence. 3. He excludes those who remain unrepentant (15). Main Challenge: Wear clothes washed in Christ’s blood. Application Questions: • From what you heard today, do you think that there will be degrees of reward in heaven for believers? Why or why not (consider the rewards mentioned in this text)? • How do you define repentance? Is this something you did at some point or something that is an on-going process? • In what ways is this passage encouraging news to people who sin? How is it frightening news as well? • How can you wear clothes today washed in Christ’s blood? What attitudes and actions is this passage calling you to embrace?