Hardness of Man’s Heart Revealed (Rev 16:8-11)
When one is not sick, one will not look for a doctor. If we do not think that we are sinners, we will not look for a Saviour. Unless we acknowledge that we are sinners, we will not accept salvation. God will send seven angels during the seven-vial judgment to pour out the wrath of God upon the earth so that man will realise he has sinned against God and that he needs to repent of his sins. Revelation 16:8-9 tells us that God will send the fourth angel to pour out His wrath. God will increase the temperature of the sun to scorch man with fire. The global warming phenomenon that we are experiencing today will be nothing compared to the intense heat of the fourth vial judgment. However, man will react with hardness of heart, and will blaspheme the name of God (Rev 16:9). Today, we must be careful not to blaspheme God’s name. When we present a false version of Christianity, we portray a false image of Christ, and this is the same as blaspheming Christ's name. Revelation 16:10-11 tells us that God will unleash the fifth vial judgment upon the seat of the beast to destroy the beast. And man will be afflicted with great pain. He will experience so much pain that he will hurt himself in order to attempt to relieve himself of the pain (Rev 16:10). If he repents of his sins and calls out to God, he will be saved. But, in those days, man will still not repent because of his hardened heart. Repentance is a sign of a heart of flesh. A hardened heart will not repent. We do not want to experience the vial judgments of God. Thus, today, while there is still time, make sure of your salvation and live a life of holiness unto the Lord. |