Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls Revelation 16:1-21

Outline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls (12:1 – 18:24) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) Rejoicing over and Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-8) Rejoicing over and Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-8) Pouring out of the Seven Bowls (16:1-21) Pouring out of the Seven Bowls (16:1-21)

First Bowl: Incurable Sores on the Beast Worshipers (16:1-2) The voice that comes out of the Temple must be God’s, since His glory has filled the Temple and “no one else was able to enter the Temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished” (15:8). The voice that comes out of the Temple must be God’s, since His glory has filled the Temple and “no one else was able to enter the Temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished” (15:8). The first plague of sores recalls the 6 th plague that God brought upon the Egyptians (Exod 9:8- 11). It is brought upon those who have taken the mark of the beast. The first plague of sores recalls the 6 th plague that God brought upon the Egyptians (Exod 9:8- 11). It is brought upon those who have taken the mark of the beast. The sore described here is an inflamed and running sore that refuses to heal. The sore described here is an inflamed and running sore that refuses to heal.

Second Bowl: Death to All Sea Life (16:3) This judgment parallels the 1 st plague on the Egyptians (Exod 7:19-21), though this one is more widespread. This judgment parallels the 1 st plague on the Egyptians (Exod 7:19-21), though this one is more widespread. As the sea is turned to blood, all marine life is destroyed. As the sea is turned to blood, all marine life is destroyed. Recall that under the second trumpet judgment (Rev 8:8-9), one third of sea life had been destroyed. Recall that under the second trumpet judgment (Rev 8:8-9), one third of sea life had been destroyed.

Third Bowl: Transforming of All Fresh Water into Blood (16:4-7) As with the sequence in the trumpet judgments, the contamination of the fresh waters follows that of the sea. As with the sequence in the trumpet judgments, the contamination of the fresh waters follows that of the sea. This one also parallels the 1 st Egyptian plague, but its impact is not restricted to the Nile; it is universal in scope, affecting all sources of drinking water. This one also parallels the 1 st Egyptian plague, but its impact is not restricted to the Nile; it is universal in scope, affecting all sources of drinking water.

Third Bowl: Transforming of All Fresh Water into Blood (16:4-7) In conjunction with this judgment John hears another song. In conjunction with this judgment John hears another song. The song echoes the earlier song by the overcomers in 15:3-4, where the singers were recognizing God’s righteousness in bringing judgment. The song echoes the earlier song by the overcomers in 15:3-4, where the singers were recognizing God’s righteousness in bringing judgment. The singer this time is the “angel of the waters,” the one who controls the sea and bodies of freshwater. The singer this time is the “angel of the waters,” the one who controls the sea and bodies of freshwater. His song recognizes God’s righteousness, eternal nature, and holiness in bringing these judgments. His song recognizes God’s righteousness, eternal nature, and holiness in bringing these judgments. God’s judgment of these things consists of His giving the earth- dwellers blood to drink in response to their pouring out the blood of the saints and the prophets. God’s judgment of these things consists of His giving the earth- dwellers blood to drink in response to their pouring out the blood of the saints and the prophets. This illustrates the principle of lex talionis (“an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”), a principle which God employs to deal with the enemies of His people. This illustrates the principle of lex talionis (“an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”), a principle which God employs to deal with the enemies of His people. The cry from the altar agrees with the song of angel and is associated with the saints’ prayers for vengeance (6:9-11). The cry from the altar agrees with the song of angel and is associated with the saints’ prayers for vengeance (6:9-11).

Fourth Bowl: Scorching of All through the Sun’s Intensity (16:8-9) The 4th bowl is poured out upon the sun, increasing its heat and causing men to be burned by it. The 4th bowl is poured out upon the sun, increasing its heat and causing men to be burned by it. Notice that these men recognize where this punishment comes from, as evidenced by their blaspheming God’s name. Notice that these men recognize where this punishment comes from, as evidenced by their blaspheming God’s name. They blame God, not their own sinfulness, for the 4 plagues that have occurred so far. They blame God, not their own sinfulness, for the 4 plagues that have occurred so far. And they do not repent and grant God the honor that He deserves, but instead harden their hearts. And they do not repent and grant God the honor that He deserves, but instead harden their hearts. They have taken on the character of the god they worship. They have taken on the character of the god they worship.

Fifth Bowl: Darkening of the Beast’s Kingdom (16:10-11) The 5th bowl is poured out upon the throne of the beast, the seat of his rule and authority. The 5th bowl is poured out upon the throne of the beast, the seat of his rule and authority. It parallels the 9th Egyptian plague (Exod 10:21- 23), but is worse because it aggravates the ongoing effects of the previous plagues. It parallels the 9th Egyptian plague (Exod 10:21- 23), but is worse because it aggravates the ongoing effects of the previous plagues. The subjects of the beast’s worldwide kingdom experience an agonizing, excruciating kind of pain because of the darkness; again, they refuse to repent. The subjects of the beast’s worldwide kingdom experience an agonizing, excruciating kind of pain because of the darkness; again, they refuse to repent.

Sixth Bowl: Preparation for the Doom of Earth’s Kings (16:12-16) The 6th bowl, like the 5th seal, contains no immediate destructive judgment. Instead, it prepares the way for a coming battle. The 6th bowl, like the 5th seal, contains no immediate destructive judgment. Instead, it prepares the way for a coming battle. The object of this bowl is the Euphrates River, one of the great rivers of the world that constituted the eastern boundary of both the Roman Empire and the land promised to the seed of Abraham (Gen 15:18; Deut 1:7; 11:24; Josh 1:4). The object of this bowl is the Euphrates River, one of the great rivers of the world that constituted the eastern boundary of both the Roman Empire and the land promised to the seed of Abraham (Gen 15:18; Deut 1:7; 11:24; Josh 1:4). Here the river is dried up to provide a “crosswalk” for the kings of the east. These will join the kings of the whole world in a final world conflict. Here the river is dried up to provide a “crosswalk” for the kings of the east. These will join the kings of the whole world in a final world conflict.

Sixth Bowl: Preparation for the Doom of Earth’s Kings (16:12-16) The means for gathering these kings will be 3 “unclean ones,” a common way of referring to demons in the NT. The means for gathering these kings will be 3 “unclean ones,” a common way of referring to demons in the NT. The association with frogs recalls the Levitical standards which declared frogs to be unclean and abomination to God’s people (Lev 11:10-11). The association with frogs recalls the Levitical standards which declared frogs to be unclean and abomination to God’s people (Lev 11:10-11). These unclean spirits will have the same miraculous powers that the second beast had in deceiving people to worship the beast. Their mission is to contact the kings of the world and assemble them for a major world war. These unclean spirits will have the same miraculous powers that the second beast had in deceiving people to worship the beast. Their mission is to contact the kings of the world and assemble them for a major world war. This gathering of world forces agrees with OT teaching that Israel’s enemies would gather together against her in the last days (Joel 3:2; Zech 14:2-3). This gathering of world forces agrees with OT teaching that Israel’s enemies would gather together against her in the last days (Joel 3:2; Zech 14:2-3). The gathering place for these armies is ~Ar Magedw,n,”the hill country of Megiddo.” The gathering place for these armies is ~Ar Magedw,n,”the hill country of Megiddo.”

Seventh Bowl: Destruction of Babylon Summarized (16:17-21) The 7th bowl is the most pervasive of all the bowls. The 7th bowl is the most pervasive of all the bowls. The previous ones were poured out on the earth, sea, fresh waters, and sun. The 7th is poured out on the air, which all people breathe. The previous ones were poured out on the earth, sea, fresh waters, and sun. The 7th is poured out on the air, which all people breathe. God is the one who proclaims “It is done.” God is the one who proclaims “It is done.” V. 18 describes the storm theophany that we have seen already at the end of the earlier series (seals and trumpets). V. 18 describes the storm theophany that we have seen already at the end of the earlier series (seals and trumpets).

Seventh Bowl: Destruction of Babylon Summarized (16:17-21) This earthquake is the worst in history, the final shaking by God of the heavens and the earth. This earthquake is the worst in history, the final shaking by God of the heavens and the earth. It is so severe that it creates tremendous topographical changes (“every island fled away and the mountains were not found”). It is so severe that it creates tremendous topographical changes (“every island fled away and the mountains were not found”). “The Great City” here is Jerusalem (cf. Rev 11:8). “The Great City” here is Jerusalem (cf. Rev 11:8). The city of Babylon, the headquarters of the beast, will be forced to drink of the cup of the wine of God’s wrath (described in detail in chapters 17 and 18). The city of Babylon, the headquarters of the beast, will be forced to drink of the cup of the wine of God’s wrath (described in detail in chapters 17 and 18). The final element in this preliminary overview of the 7th bowl is a storm of huge hailstones, heavy enough to kill anyone on whom they fall. The final element in this preliminary overview of the 7th bowl is a storm of huge hailstones, heavy enough to kill anyone on whom they fall. This plague recalls the 7th Egyptian plague (Exo 9:23-24) and the 1st trumpet judgment (Rev 8:7). As before, men recognize this plague as coming from God and blaspheme against Him. This plague recalls the 7th Egyptian plague (Exo 9:23-24) and the 1st trumpet judgment (Rev 8:7). As before, men recognize this plague as coming from God and blaspheme against Him.

Next Time: The History and Fall of Babylon Read Rev