Revelation 16:8

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.

• ·        The fourth bowl is a supernatural act of God releasing power over the sun, making it more intense.

• ·        The pain of this judgment comes through scorching fire that releases great heat from the sun to burn men with fire. This is God’s activity, not merely natural or satanic.

Psalm 11:6  Unto the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.

Psalm 21:9  You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; the LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

Revelation 16:7

And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

• ·        There is no contradiction between the God of mercy and wrath, as He pours out these severe judgments to remove everything that hinders love (Zeph. 3:8; Heb. 12:25-29).

• ·        Only by understanding the big picture of His eternal plan can we understand the necessity of His temporal judgments in waking men up to eternal salvation.

Deuteronomy 32:4  He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.

Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Revelation 16:5-6

And I heard the angel of the waters saying:

“You are righteous, O Lord,

The One who is and who was and who is to be,

Because You have judged these things.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

And You have given them blood to drink,

For it is their just due.”

• ·        The two oracles in this passage (v. 5-6, v. 7) agree with God that His judgment was “just, true and righteous”.

• ·        The angel declares “You are righteous”, as God’s judgments are not only fair payment to the wicked and necessary to stop them, but they are helpful in waking up sinners to salvation (Isa. 26:9). God’s judgments are never too lenient or severe. They are never too late or too early. They are altogether right in every way.

Psalm 145:17  The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.

Ezekiel 39:17  ……..that you may eat flesh and drink blood.”