Revelation 16:17-21
It Is Done
Read the passage
17Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!”
18And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.
19The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.
20Then every island fled, and no mountain could be found.
21And great hailstones weighing almost a hundred pounds each rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The seventh angel pours out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice comes from the throne in the temple saying, “It is done!” There are flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and the greatest earthquake since humanity was on the earth.
The great city is split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fall. God remembers Babylon the great and gives her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. Every island flees and the mountains are no longer found.
Huge hailstones weighing almost a hundred pounds each fall on people from heaven. They curse God because the plague is so dreadful. Even under this final bowl, the response is blasphemy rather than repentance.
The voice from the throne announces the completion of this series of bowls. It does not mean John has nothing more to see. Babylon is remembered before God and receives His wrath; the following visions will show more of her fall. What seemed secure in the cities and landscape cannot withstand His judgment.
The people's cursing is a tragic ending to this scene. Overwhelming evidence of God's power has not made them willing to honor Him. His warnings call the churches to a different response: hear Him, turn from evil, and remain faithful rather than sharing in Babylon's rebellion.
Questions
1 What does the voice from the throne say?
AnswerA voice from the throne announces that the sequence is complete. The words mark the end of this series of judgments.
2 What happens to the great city?
AnswerIt is split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fall. Babylon is remembered before God as a power due to receive judgment.
3 What happens to the earth's geography?
AnswerIslands flee and mountains are no longer found. The earthquake reaches beyond buildings into the order people have treated as permanent.
4 How do people respond to the hail?
AnswerThey curse God because the plague is so great. Even at the end of this sequence, the text shows judgment without repentance.
What This Means for Us
Do not assume that a more frightening warning will make repentance easier later. Respond to the truth you already know. If you have put off asking forgiveness or ending a dishonest practice, take that step now. Pray for a willing heart instead of waiting for circumstances to force you to change.
Prayer
God of the throne, keep us humble before final judgment. Make us quick to repent, slow to curse, and faithful in repairing harm while we still have the opportunity. Amen.