Topical Bible: Blood: (Given to Drink) of Severe Judgments

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In the biblical narrative, the imagery of blood given to drink is a powerful symbol of divine judgment and wrath. This motif appears in several key passages, illustrating the severity of God's retribution against sin and rebellion.

One of the most prominent instances is found in the Book of Revelation, where the imagery of blood is used to convey the catastrophic judgments poured out upon the earth. Revelation 16:3-6 describes the second and third bowls of God's wrath: "The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say: 'Righteous are You, O Holy One, who is and who was, because You have brought these judgments. For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink as they deserve.'"

This passage highlights the principle of divine justice, where the punishment fits the crime. The shedding of innocent blood by the wicked results in their being given blood to drink, symbolizing the full measure of God's righteous judgment. The transformation of water into blood serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the holiness of God, who avenges the blood of His servants.

The theme of blood as a form of judgment is not limited to Revelation. In the Old Testament, the plagues of Egypt also include a similar event. Exodus 7:20-21 recounts the first plague: "Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the river reeked so badly that the Egyptians could not drink its water. There was blood throughout the land of Egypt."

This plague was a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods and a demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy. The Nile, a source of life and sustenance for Egypt, became a source of death and judgment, underscoring the futility of opposing the will of the Almighty.

The use of blood in these contexts serves as a vivid metaphor for the seriousness of sin and the inevitable justice of God. It is a call to repentance and a warning of the dire consequences of persisting in rebellion against the Creator. The imagery of blood given to drink is a sobering reminder of the holiness of God and the certainty of His judgments, urging believers to live in righteousness and reverence before Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 16:38
And I will judge you, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give you blood in fury and jealousy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 16:6
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... Christ hath by a miraculous sacrament given us His body to eat and His blood
to drink; He made ways that we may become all one with Him. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.htm

Concerning those who Come in the Name of Christ the Terrible Signs ...
... and subdue them with sling-stones; and they shall drink their blood ... be turned into
darkness, and the moon into blood, before the ... "And there was given unto Him ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxxix concerning those who come.htm

Approaching Doom
... shall dwell in the land which I have given to you ... Did not thy father eat and drink,
and do judgment ... thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Psalm XLII.
... of His Passion, the sons redeemed by His Blood, the sons ... he said not, "My tears became
my drink," lest he ... from Baptism, where the remission of sins is given. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlii.htm

On the Nativity of Our Lady
... for food, and a thirsty craving for drink, the longing of ... and that He shed His Precious
Blood and gave ... lived sincerely before God, and have given themselves up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xix on the nativity.htm

A Free Grace Promise
... has turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, this text ... if there lie men and
women there given up to ... I have thought, "Well, if he will not drink this cup ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/a free grace promise.htm

The Formation and Order of the Primitive Church.
... be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the ... I have given what appears
to me to be the genuine ... way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture iii the formation and.htm

And ii.
... to thee of wine and of strong drink,"he would be ... security by the promises which God
has given to His ... the great,""Building up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

God's Gentle Power
... to some that have belied their baptism, have given up the ... sat, and professed to eat
his bread and drink of his cup ... to be partakers of his body and of his blood. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/gods gentle power.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Peden.
... in and said, And has this gentleman given poor Sandy ... contemning the gospel, shedding
the precious blood of his ... and be supplied with meat and drink; and when ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 2.htm