Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 11, 2022: SOAP #4665: Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 16:8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl [of God’s wrath vs.1] on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

OBSERVATION:  I am amazed at the response of sinful man.  God promised judgment if they sinned.  They sin and God keeps His word.  Their response is to curse God and refuse to repent.  Cursing God indicated that they are aware that these catastrophes came from Him, but they refuse to repent!  How illogical!  

APPLICATION: Sin has a strong hold on people.  It affects them physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.  It puts a lock on their thoughts so that they cannot see the obvious. 

It takes the unlocking, mind opening power of the Holy Spirit to break into a mind bound by sin.  He convicts us of sin and convinces us of the saving grace of Jesus.  It looks to me like the great influence of the Holy Spirit is removed when the church is removed.  The Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus, and then the early church, works through people.  When people who have yielded themselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit are removed, the influence of the Spirit is removed.  Sin remains and increases it control of people. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep me from underestimating the power of sin.  Convict me of sin.  Make sin, even what I consider small sins, repulsive to me.  I confess my sins and receive the forgiveness purchased for me on Calvary.  Make me holy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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