A Thief in the Night
Today’s passage: Revelation 16:1–16
Focus verse: “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)
A voice bellows out from the temple, commanding the seven angels to go forth and unleash their seven bowls of wrath.
The first angel pours out his bowl on the land, releasing disgusting, festering sores on everyone who bears the mark of the beast.
The second angel follows and pours out his bowl of wrath on the sea. The water turns to blood and every creature in the sea dies.
The third angel empties his bowl of God’s wrath on the drinkable water. It, too, becomes blood. The angel explains that it’s because they killed God’s holy people and messengers. As a result of their bloodshed, they must now drink blood.
The fourth angel afflicts the sun. He intensifies its heat, scorching the people with fire. In searing pain, they curse God, refusing to repent and give him glory.
The fifth angel pours out his wrath on the beast’s throne, plunging his kingdom into darkness. The people writhe in agony and curse God, but again, they refuse to repent.
The sixth angel pours out his bowl on the Euphrates River. Instead of turning it to blood, however, it dries up. No longer is the great river a physical barrier to keep armies away; their path to attack is now open.
From the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet spring demonic spirits that resemble frogs. They solicit kings from around the globe amass for a great battle.
Then Jesus warns that he’ll come like a thief in the night, at a time when people don’t expect him. Yet he will bless all who stay alert—awaiting his return—for their diligence.
This isn’t the first time Jesus uses the imagery of a thief. In his own end-time prophecy during his life here on earth, he warns us to keep watch because we don’t know when he’ll return.
His coming will be like a thief coming under the cover of darkness when most people are asleep and unaware (Matthew 24:36–44 and Luke 12:35–40).
Jesus follows this up with a more accessible example in his parable of the ten virgins. They’re waiting for the groom to arrive so the wedding celebration can begin.
Some run out of oil for their lamps, while the others have prepared for a long wait and brought extra oil.
Jesus ends this parable with the warning to keep watch because we don’t know when he’ll return (Matthew 25:1–13).
Questions:
- Are we watching for Jesus’s return?
- What are we doing to stay alert as we wait?
- How ready are we for when he comes back?
- Do we live our life as if Jesus could return at any moment?
- Does knowing that he could come back today mean we don’t need to plan?
[Discover more about a thief in the night in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–9 and 2 Peter 3:10.]
Tips: Check out our tips to use this online Bible study for your church, small group, Sunday school class, or family discussion. It’s also ideal for personal study. Come back each Monday for a new lesson.
Read more in Revelation Bible Study: Discover Practical Insights from John’s Epic Vision.
Discover practical, understandable insights from the book of Revelation.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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