Bobservations' Column - "The Vials of God's Wrath"

The Vial Judgments, otherwise known as the "Bowl" judgments are described in chapter 16.  These judgments are called "the last" judgments. They will come in rapid succession, each one stronger and more intense as they are emptied out.   The Seven Golden Vials symbolize God's judgment.  They are shallow saucers, familiar items associated with various functions of the temple worship.  Their flat shallowness pictures how the divine judgments will be emptied instantly rather than slowly poured, upon all who refused to drink the cup of salvation.As we study this chapter of God’s Word, to be honest, just reading these verses will rip and tear at your heart, the sheer terror of these judgments should invoke prayer for the lost.  It should awaken believers to fulfilling our mission of bringing them to Christ before judgment comes.  It should awaken those who call themselves "believers" who are sitting on the fence, neither hot, nor cold, one foot in the world and one foot in the church, to get serious about their condition, their faith, and their eternal destiny.   This is it!  This is the end! Chapter sixteen is the culmination, the final wrath of God filled up and poured out on the ungodly earth.