You are the light
Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. Revelation 16:10
Before the invention of electricity, darkness was not such a rare commodity. There were candles and before that even torches, but nothing that would light up a room like a 100-watt light bulb. When nighttime came, people when to bed and slept when it was dark and got up when the sun came up. They utilized the daylight hours and for the most part let their bodies rest when it was dark.
In the modern times that we live in, lights are burning 24/7. When it gets dark out, we just turn on lights in our homes and on our streets. If we walk into a dark room, we simply flip a switch and like magic, light appears. In today’s world, we would be hard pressed to find a truly dark place without intentionally going there. Even the stars and moon of the night sky provide light for the nighttime in all the world.
In today’s reading, the fifth angel that came out of the temple in heaven pours out his bowl on the throne of the beast (anit-christ). That is when his kingdom will experience complete and utter darkness. This darkness will completely paralyze his kingdom and it will be a deep heavy darkness that will cause their pain to be escalated. People are already suffering from the previous four bowls. The loathsome sores, the seas and waters turned to blood and the scorching of the sun. These people are already in deep pain and the darkness will magnify that. They will only be able to hear the voices of the people around them who are also suffering.
It is hard to imagine this kind of darkness. I have questions like: what has happened to the electricity and why can’t they light candles or use flashlights? I guess if the sun and moon are not shining, it is not impossible to understand that the man-made electricity would stop too. Just as this darkness will magnify the pain in their bodies, it will also be all the more evident of the spiritual darkness that these people are in. The passage says that they increase in blaspheming God and their hearts are even harder against repenting.
In today’s world, we know there are many people in spiritual darkness. We see the blind leading the blind everyday around us. As dark as it looks in today’s world, it is nothing compared to the darkness of the fifth bowl. Today, there is still hope for the dark world we live in, and we can be praying for hearts to be softened to the touch of the Holy Spirit. Our interceding for others is the open door that God desires to reach into the lives and rescue those who have fallen so deep into a pit of spiritual blindness. Instead of despising the darkness we see each day, begin to pray and intercede for those held captive by the enemy and have been blinded to the salvation that they so desperately need.
Today I want to encourage you to be thankful for the light we have. Not just the physical lights of electricity, but the spiritual light of God’s love and salvation. Then be the light to the lost world around you. Lead the way to God’s great love as you carry His light of love and compassion for those stuck and suffering in the traps of the enemy. Reach out while there is still time to gently encourage a neighbor or friend that may not know they are blind. Be the help to others as you show them there is hope. Intercede for those who cannot see for themselves the spiritual needs they have and ask the Holy Spirit to soften hearts and open the eyes of people’s understanding to all He has for them. Even when you don’t see the seeds that you have planted flourish, know that they are lying dormant until the next light comes along to help them grow. We are in a unique time in our world and we are the harvesters of this great end time harvest.
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 16:10-11
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
The Daily Dose 