Revelation 16: The Bowl Judgments: God's Wrath Poured Out
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Revelation 16 details the final series of judgments, known as the bowl judgments, representing God’s ultimate and complete outpouring of wrath upon the unrepentant world. These judgments follow the seal and trumpet judgments, marking a progressive intensification of God's response to sin and rebellion. Chapters 17 and 18 will further explore the destruction wrought by these judgments, while chapters 19 and 20 will depict the culmination of God's wrath and the end-time events.
The Temple's Command and the Bowls of Wrath (Revelation 16:1)
At the sound of a commanding voice from the temple, the seven angels, already introduced in Revelation 15, are instructed to unleash God's wrath upon the earth. This swift succession of judgments targets those who have rejected God and embraced the mark of the beast. The bowl judgments are God’s active wrath on sinners. During the church age, sinners on earth primarily experience God’s passive wrath, in which he lets people face the just consequences of their sin without actively punishing them.
First Bowl: Painful Sores (Revelation 16:2)
The first bowl judgment brings forth loathsome and grievous sores upon those who bear the mark of the beast. This affliction serves as a physical manifestation of the spiritual corruption and allegiance to evil that characterizes those who have rejected God's offer of grace.
Second and Third Bowls: Seas and Rivers Turned to Blood (Revelation 16:3-4)
The second and third bowls bring about ecological devastation. The sea is turned to blood, resulting in the death of all marine life. Similarly, the rivers and springs of water are transformed into blood, rendering them unusable. These judgments surpass previous instances where only portions of the water were affected, suggesting a comprehensive defilement of the earth's water sources.
Divine Justice Acknowledged (Revelation 16:5-7)
Following these devastating judgments, an angel proclaims the righteousness and justice of God's actions. The angel declares that God is just to avenge the wicked for their murderous acts against the saints and prophets. A voice from the altar affirms this declaration, emphasizing the truth and righteousness of God's judgments. Because God is just, judgment is always an expression of his righteous standard. Since God is eternal—the one who is and who was (Revelation 16:5)—he never lowers that standard. We must either meet his standard or have a substitute, Jesus Christ, meet it in our place. When a person accepts Jesus as his Savior, God imputes his righteous life to the saved person’s account; thus, that person is counted as having met the standard. Those who will not receive Jesus get what they deserve for their actions. Those who ally with the beast in his campaign to pour out the blood of the saints and the prophets receive blood to drink because they deserve it (Revelation 16:6). The Lord’s judgments are true and just (Revelation 16:7).
Fourth Bowl: Scorching Heat (Revelation 16:8-9)
The fourth bowl unleashes intense heat from the sun, scorching humanity. Instead of repenting, the wicked blaspheme God, refusing to acknowledge His power and justice. Those who take the mark of the beast have confirmed their allegiance to the forces of darkness and are hardened against the Lord and his gospel. They are set against turning to God even though he has the power over these plagues (Revelation 16:9).
Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Anguish (Revelation 16:10-11)
The fifth bowl plunges the kingdom of the beast into darkness, causing immense suffering and anguish. People gnaw their tongues in pain, yet they continue to blaspheme God, refusing to repent of their evil deeds. As in Revelation 16:9, the scene is reminiscent of a child cursing his parent while he is being spanked. Such a reaction to punishment inevitably triggers more punishment.
Sixth Bowl: The Euphrates Dried Up and Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16)
The sixth bowl brings about the drying up of the Euphrates River, paving the way for the kings of the east to assemble for battle. Demonic spirits, likened to frogs emerging from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, gather the nations for war against God at a place called Armageddon.
The convergence of armies for history’s final war will not be merely a geopolitical event. Rather, it will be a supernatural event because demonic spirits performing signs will travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for battle (Revelation 16:14). John pictures these demonic spirits like frogs coming from Satan’s mouth, from the beast’s mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet (Revelation 16:13). These three evil figures will employ miraculous signs to rally the nations behind their cause.
During the lead-up to war, Jesus injects a personal warning that his return will be sudden and unexpected, like the coming of a thief. The only way to avoid shame on that day is to be spiritually alert and clothed with a righteous life.
Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, and their demonic cronies eventually assemble all the kings of the earth at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. This is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew phrase “Har Megiddo,” meaning “Mount of Megiddo.” It is the name of an ancient hilltop settlement in northern Israel near Haifa. Near it is a staggeringly huge plain that has been the site of several historic battles, though the greatest battle on this site has yet to occur.
Seventh Bowl: Earthquake and Destruction (Revelation 16:17-21)
The seventh angel pours out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice from the throne proclaims, "It is done!" A great earthquake, unparalleled in its magnitude, shakes the earth. Jerusalem is split into three parts, cities collapse, islands vanish, mountains crumble, and massive hailstones fall upon humanity. Yet, even in the face of such devastation, the wicked refuse to repent and continue to blaspheme God.
The great city referenced at the beginning of the verse is synonymous with Babylon the Great in the next sentence. Identified by the name of the wicked Old Testament kingdom that conquered Israel, “Babylon” represents the secular, worldly system of people and institutions opposed to God. Eventually, this system will be destroyed by the wine of his fierce anger.
When God releases his anger in judgment, every island flees and the mountains disappear (Revelation 16:20). What’s more, enormous hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, [fall] from the sky on people (Revelation 16:21). It is as though the creation, formed as an expression of God’s love, is being undone as an expression of his wrath. As in Revelation 6:16-17, people know the source of their judgment, yet they refuse to repent or honor God. Instead, they blaspheme him, enraged at the severity of the hailstones plague. Their response is as irrational as it is immoral.
Reflection
Revelation 16 paints a vivid picture of God's judgment upon a world that has rejected Him. While the imagery is frightening, it underscores the seriousness of sin and the consequences of turning away from God. Even amidst these displays of wrath, the chapter serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the urgency of seeking God's grace before it is too late.
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Revelation 16 details the final series of judgments, known as the bowl judgments, representing God’s ultimate and complete outpouring of wrath upon the unrepentant world. These judgments follow the seal and trumpet judgments, marking a progressive intensification of God's response to sin and rebellion. Chapters 17 and 18 will further explore the destruction wrought by these judgments, while chapters 19 and 20 will depict the culmination of God's wrath and the end-time events.
The Temple's Command and the Bowls of Wrath (Revelation 16:1)
At the sound of a commanding voice from the temple, the seven angels, already introduced in Revelation 15, are instructed to unleash God's wrath upon the earth. This swift succession of judgments targets those who have rejected God and embraced the mark of the beast. The bowl judgments are God’s active wrath on sinners. During the church age, sinners on earth primarily experience God’s passive wrath, in which he lets people face the just consequences of their sin without actively punishing them.
First Bowl: Painful Sores (Revelation 16:2)
The first bowl judgment brings forth loathsome and grievous sores upon those who bear the mark of the beast. This affliction serves as a physical manifestation of the spiritual corruption and allegiance to evil that characterizes those who have rejected God's offer of grace.
Second and Third Bowls: Seas and Rivers Turned to Blood (Revelation 16:3-4)
The second and third bowls bring about ecological devastation. The sea is turned to blood, resulting in the death of all marine life. Similarly, the rivers and springs of water are transformed into blood, rendering them unusable. These judgments surpass previous instances where only portions of the water were affected, suggesting a comprehensive defilement of the earth's water sources.
Divine Justice Acknowledged (Revelation 16:5-7)
Following these devastating judgments, an angel proclaims the righteousness and justice of God's actions. The angel declares that God is just to avenge the wicked for their murderous acts against the saints and prophets. A voice from the altar affirms this declaration, emphasizing the truth and righteousness of God's judgments. Because God is just, judgment is always an expression of his righteous standard. Since God is eternal—the one who is and who was (Revelation 16:5)—he never lowers that standard. We must either meet his standard or have a substitute, Jesus Christ, meet it in our place. When a person accepts Jesus as his Savior, God imputes his righteous life to the saved person’s account; thus, that person is counted as having met the standard. Those who will not receive Jesus get what they deserve for their actions. Those who ally with the beast in his campaign to pour out the blood of the saints and the prophets receive blood to drink because they deserve it (Revelation 16:6). The Lord’s judgments are true and just (Revelation 16:7).
Fourth Bowl: Scorching Heat (Revelation 16:8-9)
The fourth bowl unleashes intense heat from the sun, scorching humanity. Instead of repenting, the wicked blaspheme God, refusing to acknowledge His power and justice. Those who take the mark of the beast have confirmed their allegiance to the forces of darkness and are hardened against the Lord and his gospel. They are set against turning to God even though he has the power over these plagues (Revelation 16:9).
Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Anguish (Revelation 16:10-11)
The fifth bowl plunges the kingdom of the beast into darkness, causing immense suffering and anguish. People gnaw their tongues in pain, yet they continue to blaspheme God, refusing to repent of their evil deeds. As in Revelation 16:9, the scene is reminiscent of a child cursing his parent while he is being spanked. Such a reaction to punishment inevitably triggers more punishment.
Sixth Bowl: The Euphrates Dried Up and Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16)
The sixth bowl brings about the drying up of the Euphrates River, paving the way for the kings of the east to assemble for battle. Demonic spirits, likened to frogs emerging from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, gather the nations for war against God at a place called Armageddon.
The convergence of armies for history’s final war will not be merely a geopolitical event. Rather, it will be a supernatural event because demonic spirits performing signs will travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for battle (Revelation 16:14). John pictures these demonic spirits like frogs coming from Satan’s mouth, from the beast’s mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet (Revelation 16:13). These three evil figures will employ miraculous signs to rally the nations behind their cause.
During the lead-up to war, Jesus injects a personal warning that his return will be sudden and unexpected, like the coming of a thief. The only way to avoid shame on that day is to be spiritually alert and clothed with a righteous life.
Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, and their demonic cronies eventually assemble all the kings of the earth at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. This is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew phrase “Har Megiddo,” meaning “Mount of Megiddo.” It is the name of an ancient hilltop settlement in northern Israel near Haifa. Near it is a staggeringly huge plain that has been the site of several historic battles, though the greatest battle on this site has yet to occur.
Seventh Bowl: Earthquake and Destruction (Revelation 16:17-21)
The seventh angel pours out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice from the throne proclaims, "It is done!" A great earthquake, unparalleled in its magnitude, shakes the earth. Jerusalem is split into three parts, cities collapse, islands vanish, mountains crumble, and massive hailstones fall upon humanity. Yet, even in the face of such devastation, the wicked refuse to repent and continue to blaspheme God.
The great city referenced at the beginning of the verse is synonymous with Babylon the Great in the next sentence. Identified by the name of the wicked Old Testament kingdom that conquered Israel, “Babylon” represents the secular, worldly system of people and institutions opposed to God. Eventually, this system will be destroyed by the wine of his fierce anger.
When God releases his anger in judgment, every island flees and the mountains disappear (Revelation 16:20). What’s more, enormous hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, [fall] from the sky on people (Revelation 16:21). It is as though the creation, formed as an expression of God’s love, is being undone as an expression of his wrath. As in Revelation 6:16-17, people know the source of their judgment, yet they refuse to repent or honor God. Instead, they blaspheme him, enraged at the severity of the hailstones plague. Their response is as irrational as it is immoral.
Reflection
Revelation 16 paints a vivid picture of God's judgment upon a world that has rejected Him. While the imagery is frightening, it underscores the seriousness of sin and the consequences of turning away from God. Even amidst these displays of wrath, the chapter serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the urgency of seeking God's grace before it is too late.