The First Sunday in Lent (NTA)

Revelation 16:1-9

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” 

2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. 

3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. 

4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, 

  “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, 

for you brought these judgments. 

 6  For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, 

and you have given them blood to drink. 

  It is what they deserve!” 

7 And I heard the altar saying, 

  “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, 

true and just are your judgments!” 

8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. 

God does continue to reveal himself through plagues.  He continues to reveal himself through acts of destruction and promises of hope.  Here in Revelation, God is pouring out four of the seven bowls of wrath upon the earth.

I will pick up on the second censer, which is poured out upon the sea.  I have heard people explain this plague as filling the water with blood of fish and other marine life.  But recall the First Plague against Egypt.  Listen even to the third bowl as it is poured out upon the rivers and springs.  All is turned to blood.  Water that would quench our thirst is turned to blood (not wine).

This is done in judgment against all those who have killed the saints.  All those who continue to attack the children of God, or true believers.  These people will finally have their blood lust filled.  They will only be able to consume blood.

For believers should remember that it is our blood, which they spill.  God allows his saints to suffer at the hands of these people.  They suffer death.  Just as people spilled the blood of Christ for your forgiveness, take up your cross and follow him. The Holy One will bring justice for all people.

God even gives you Christ’s blood to drink.  He offers forgiveness of sins as you take and drink his very blood shed for you (in with and under wine connected with his word).  He also offers you this same gift of forgiveness through his Word.