12/07/2023 Wednesday
The Revelation
Study of John’s Revelation
Chapter 16
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
“As we closed chapter 15, we saw the temple in Heaven filled with smoke . . . smoke from the glory of God. The temple was so filled that nothing inside could
be seen and no one could enter there. Nothing could deter the coming judgment. There was a heavenly blackout, so to speak. There was no place for
intercession, no place for a blood offering. There was no place for mercy!” Oliver B. Greene
John hears a great voice out of the temple (v.1).
The voice is likely that of God Himself.
Some call Revelation 16 the “great” chapter since the word is found here 11 times.
The vials or bowls are full of God’s wrath (v.1).
Many Bible teachers believe the Bowl Judgments will occur rapidly over a matter of days. They may even follow
shortly after the Trumpet Judgments.
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
The 1st Bowl will be poured out on the earth and cause a terrible sore (v.2)
The sore will be noisome (i.e., very bad or injurious).
It will be also grievous (i.e., evil, causing pain and hardships).
The word “sore” describes an infected ulcer. (Online Bible Lexicon)
It will be upon those who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped his image.
“Notice please, the vials and the trumpets are alike in some respects but different in others. In the first four of each, the sphere of operation is the same … the earth, the sea,
the rivers and fountains of water, and the sun. But in the trumpet judgments the area is restricted to “a third part.” The area affected under the vials is altogether different. No
third or fourth part is mentioned. The whole earth will be affected … every square inch of it … and the Judgments under the vials are much more severe than the trumpet
judgments.” Oliver B. Greene
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
The 2nd Bowl turned the sea into blood (v.3)
The sea most likely speaks of the oceans of the world.
The water will become the blood of a dead man. “That will be a rotten, stinking, deplorable condition.” Greene
Every living soul in the seas will die. We find the phrase “living soul” only three times in the Bible, all referring to
humans (Gen 2:7; 1Co 15:45; Rev 16:3). Most commentators apply this to all life in the sea (as in the plagues of
Egypt), but because creatures do not have souls like men, I am not sure. Also, the Tribulation is not against
creatures; it is against humans.
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
The 3rd Bowl turned fresh water into blood (v.4-7)
All fresh water (rivers and fountains) will become blood.
No fresh water will remain for drinking.
The angel of the waters praised this plague (v.5-6).
Evidently, God has assigned angels over all sorts of things.
The “water angel” agreed that God was righteous for doing this.
Evil men shed the blood of God’s people, now they must drink blood.
Another angel out from God’s altar agrees heartily (v.7).
Is this the “angel of the alter”? Perhaps!
God’s judgments are righteous!
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
The 4th Bowl caused the sun to scorch men (v.8-9)
This plague increased the heat of the sun so that it will scorch men (i.e., tortured with intense heat)(v.8).
Malachi predicted such a judgment years before.
“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the
day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1)
The sun’s heat is global not local.
The scorched men remained anti-God (v.9)
They blasphemed God’s name as they knew he caused the plague.
They did not repent to give God glory.
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
The 5th Bowl caused painful darkness (v.10-11)
This plague is on the beast’s seat or throne and his kingdom of his subjects.
Could it be that God will do as He did in Egypt to protect the saints from this plague?
Total darkness will torment men (scotophobia). This will prevent all artificial lighting as well.
They will bite their tongues in pain. They are still suffering from the sores, from drinking blood, from sunburn
and now from raw tongues.
They will blaspheme the God of heaven.
They will not repent of their wicked deeds.
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
The 6th Bowl made the Euphrates River dry (v.12-16).
This unusual plague prepares the way for eastern kings (v.12).
John then saw three unclean spirits of devils, like frogs
Note the origin of these three demonic spirits (v.13).
They will do miracles to persuade kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather to the battle of that great day of God Almighty
(v.14).
God injects a word of blessing for living saints who watch and are ready (v.15). God is suddenly going to come to
their rescue.
This Bowl (the drying of the Euphrates and the “frogs”) is like a lure that draws all world armies together (v.16).
This battle at Armageddon is described in Revelation 19:17-21.
Chapter 16 – The Bowl Judgments
The 7th Bowl upon the air, caused a gigantic earthquake (v.17-21)
A great voice shouts “It Is Done!” (v.17)
God will shake the earth like never before (v.18).
There will be voices (noises), thunders, lightning, earthquakes.
Babylon is judged (v.19). Details follow in chapter 18.
Every island and mountain will be flattened (v.20).
Gigantic hail will fall on men (v.21).
Hail will weigh up to a talent*.
Men will blaspheme God.
Personal Application
The bowl judgments will be dreadful.
Judgment day is coming!
God will wipe out his enemies and destroy the world.
Be positive you are a true Christian!
God's Answers to Life's Questions
