The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. (Revelation 16:2, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “Ugly and painful sores” describes oozing, open wounds or ulcers, that are similar to the plague of boils in Exodus 9:8–12. In the words of the “Teacher,” “what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, NIV 1984). The sores affect only those who had taken the beast’s mark and worshiped his image, leaving everyone else unaffected. Just like most (all) the plagues affecting only the Egyptians and not the Hebrew people.
God promised to send Israel this plague if they rebelled against Him (Deuteronomy 28:27, 35). Here, unbelieving Jews will suffer along with the unbelieving Gentiles. Revelation 16:10–11 (the fifth bowl judgment) suggests that these sores do not disappear, as the people were still in pain from the first bowl judgment. Nevertheless, like Pharoah in the Old Testament whose heart was hardened, the continuing pain does not persuade them to repent (see Revelation 9:20–21). It is a sobering thought to consider that a sizable portion of the remaining world population will suffer from such a painful malady that nothing can cure or relieve.
My Advice – If doubters feel that the probability of the things described in Revelation actually happening are low, it would still be prudent to consider the possibility because of their severity. If you are among the doubters, consider carefully. The downside of being wrong is too terrifying not to.
Resources:
Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 16:2). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Walvoord, John F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 966). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 841). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 609–610). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Brew Is A Musing 