The Second Half of the Tribulation
The second half of the Tribulation Period begins with the Antichrist in control, ruling and dominating the earth and forcing everyone to worship his image and to take his mark, without which they can neither buy nor sell. The Antichrist has desolated the temple in Jerusalem, and is sitting on the throne in the temple proclaiming and magnifying himself above God and above all gods. Israel has fleed in fear to Petra for protection.
At this point, Jesus said that, "Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21). The great earthquakes, fire and hailstorms, the slaughter of one-third of mankind, the destruction of one-third of the grass and trees, the darkening of one-third of the sun and stars, the release of a horde of scorpion-like locusts, will not be comparable to what is coming through the seven vial judgements (Revelation 15).
The first angel poured out his vial, or bowl, upon the earth, and "there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image."
The second angel emptied his bowl upon the sea, and the oceans became like the blood of a dead man, and every living soul died in the sea.
Then the third angel poured out his bowl upon the rivers and springs, and they became blood. The angel proclaimed unto God, "Thou art righteous, O Lord..... because thou has judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink, for they are worthy." (Revelation 15:5-6).
The fourth angel then stepped forward and poured out his vial upon the sun, and the angel was given power to scorch men with the heat of the sun. Again, sadly, men do not repent under such terrible judgement and condemnation, but "blasphemed the name of God, which hat power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory." (Revelation 15:9).
The fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom was full of darkness, and the people gnawed their tongues because of their pain. Again, they "blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds." (Revelation 15:11).
Then the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the river Euphrates, and the river dried up that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. John saw the spirits of devils issue from the mouths of the dragon and the beast and the false prophet, and they went throughout the whole world to gather the nations together to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. And the place toward which they marched for battle was called Armageddon.
Next, we'll look at the seventh vial.
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