It is helpful to consider the context of something that is written when the things themselves are hard to understand. The context of this part of Revelation is, once again, the persecution of the suffering church in the hope of the gospel … the ‘good news’ of what Jesus has accomplished in his death and resurrection. The pictures are highly symbolic.

We see this hope of the gospel pictured as a harvest time with singing for those who have believed and had their sins forgiven. Sadly there is also a negative ‘harvest’ of judgement for those who have abandoned Jesus by making idols, false ‘gods’, out of the good gifts God has given them.

The 7 bowls of God’s wrath are symbolic of God’s righteous anger in response to the sin of this world and persecution of God’s people. These parallel the historical record of the 7 plagues of Egypt where Pharaoh was forced to let God’s people go. Today is the day of hope and mercy in the midst of God’s judgements. Everyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved.