Bowls of Wrath

A Deserved Judgment

Revelation 16:1 “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.””

Like the earlier trumpets (chps.8-11), the bowl judgments look like the Egyptian plagues. Similarly, they affect the same area with the notable difference of the degree to which the effects are felt: 1/3 vs. the earth (seemingly implying the whole). Irenaeus writes around 100 AD, "And if anyone should pay close attention to those things that are stated by the prophets concerning the end and to those that John the disciple of the Lord saw in the Apocalypse, he will find that the nations receive the same plagues universally, as Egypt once did particularly."

Revelation 16:2 “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.”

As part of the judgment, first there are painful sores that come up. One thing that scholars debate in this passage is the literal vs. symbolic debate. One commentator notes the possibility of the boils being literal while figuratively representing God’s judgment.

Revelation 16:3 “The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.”

Exodus 7:21 records the first Egyptian plague, and this is similar, but its scope is broadened to a universal effect. The sea turning putrid could point to man’s utter defilement (some equate the sea when the first beast rises from the sea as the population or people of the earth — Rev.13:1). However, it seems a compelling argument, especially given the economic power of the second beast to affect how believers buy and sell, that the attack on the sea is an attack on the well-being of society since the sea provided for man’s needs in so many ways.

Revelation 16:4–5 “The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.”

Notice the irony here. Babylon had caused the blood of the martyrs to flow. Now, God judges Babylon by causing the flowing waters to become red with blood, leaving the wicked with nothing to drink but blood.

Revelation 16:6 “For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!””

Isaiah 49:26 notes that God Will cause Israel's oppressors to become drunk on their own blood. This is a rather similar sentiment. The Isaiah passage also notes that this will prove to all flesh that God is the savior of His people.

God is not unjust. The testimony of all that happens is that people receive exactly what they DESERVE.

Is God harsh in His treatment of the wicked and rebellious? Is He unfair in bringing punishment? Let’s think back at some of the themes we’ve seen in the book so far…you have grand wickedness that causes people to submit worshipfully to false gods. You have those who faithfully serve God being persecuted and punished and conquered and put to death for their allegiance to Christ. And, there is this grand refusal to heed the warnings of God as the wicked further harden their hearts and reject kindness, grace, and mercy. So, when this judgment comes, the Scripture says it is what they deserve.

I remember one of the worst spankings in my life. And guess what, no matter if the “devil made me do it” or not, it was absolutely deserved. I earned every lick!

At the end of time, there will be no complaint that God acts unjustly or unfairly. Instead, it will be the simple confession — what God does is appropriate.

A Hardened Heart

Revelation 16:7 “And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!””

It is interesting that the altar speaks. Remember that in Rev.6:9, the altar was associated with the prayers of the saints. God’s answer to those prayers was at least partially seen in the trumpet judgments. The final and full answer comes as the bowl judgments are finished (Rev.16:17), showing God’s judgments to be true and just. Remember from chapter 15 that just and true means God is doing both what is right and what is consistent with reality.

Revelation 16:8–9 “The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.”

The sun unleashes an intensity that scorches "people with fire." God’s wrath being poured out like fire is not uncommon in the OT:

Jeremiah 7:20 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched.””

Ezekiel 22:21–22 “I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of my wrath, and you shall be melted in the midst of it. As silver is melted in a furnace, so you shall be melted in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the Lord; I have poured out my wrath upon you.””

The fact that it was allowed to bring God’s wrath, coupled with the fact that God had power over the plagues, points to God’s sovereignty over all that is happening.

The result is that those aligned w/ the beast curse or blaspheme God and defiantly refuse to repent. This is similar to the results of the sixth trumpet.

Revelation 16:10–11 “The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.”

"Darkness" is the same as the ninth plague in Egypt. It seems fitting that a kingdom founded on the lies and deception of the False prophet should be cast into darkness, a common metaphor for both depravity and a lack of understanding. And, the darkness in Egypt became understood by Israel to refer to Egypt’s actual separation from the one true God. The throne refers to the beast’s rule over his make-believe realm. Should we look for a literal throne? As with much of Revelation’s apocalyptic literature, it could serve as a both/and. Rome is another in a long line of Babylons, as is any kingdom united in its rebellion against God.

The sores from the first bowl are still present. Because these sores are from God, no earthly cure for them can be found. This could point to the futility of embracing the dragon and being marked by his beast.

Two OT parallels are found in Isa.9 and Jer.13. Ultimately, punishment comes because of idolatry, the very thing those judged here have committed, giving allegiance to the dragon and his beasts rather than God.

Like a criminal who lashes out at the judge when pronounced guilty, the wicked only become more hardened and resolute in their rebellion, cursing God rather than repenting.

Two points about suffering here. First, not all suffering is a product of our sin. We know that the believer has been forgiven, full and free. There’s not an ounce of suffering that we can offer to make up for what was insufficient in the sufferings of Christ, for His sacrifice was once-for-all sufficient. Second, what is happening here is again just and true. As was the warning judgments that have occured through various “DOTL” events in history. Romans 2:4 “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” This is a failure to heed to the kindness of God that results in blasphemous contempt, failing to embrace the mercy and grace of God so finally receiving His wrath instead.

A Final Plague

Revelation 16:12 “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.”

Ancient Babylon thought the Euphrates was a boundary of defense (Isa.44:21-28; Jer. 50:38; 51:36). There is NO earthly defense when God intends and decides to judge wickedness. Cyrus diverted the waters of the Euphrates to allow his army to invade Babylon. John takes this "Babylon" type and applies it universally to the final Babylon. The point is that God Himself dries up the natural boundary and protection Babylon relied upon so that the Lord's army will be victorious, paving the way for His eternal rule with His saints.

Revelation 16:13–14 “And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.”

The "frogs" are three unclean spirits. Their purpose is to perform signs, going to all the kings of the world.

These texts are rooted in OT prophecy, particularly Zech. 12-14 (with allusion to Zeph 3; Ezk 38-39.) These make reference to God gathering the nations together in Israel for one final battle at the end.

Revelation 16:15 “(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)”

Christ’s words here may seem abrupt, but they function similarly to the ones in 13:9 and 14:12 where the church is encouraged to persevere in the midst of suffering. Keeping one’s garments on in order to not go about naked and…exposed is similar to the NT call to be above reproach, remaining steadfast and faithful. W. Boyd Carpenter says, "Sloth and pleasure may counsel ease and tempt the watcher to lay aside his garments and take rest and sleep. The earnest watcher desires , like Paul, to be found in Christ, clad in the true righteousness of faith (Phil.3:9)."

Consider the reality of demonic activity and our often lack of readiness to confront it. I admit this is an area I could be much more educated and prepared. But, we live in a world with a raging spiritual battle going on all around us. I’m not advocated looking for a demon under every rock or blaming everything on satan, but I do believe that sometimes in our logical and scientific and rationalistic world, we negate and forget spiritual realities. Perhaps one of the greatest ploys of the enemy in our prosperous society is to convince us that things like this don’t really happen anymore. Do we fight with the full armor of God, carrying on in battle fully clothed in the truths of the gospel and fighting with the word of God to stand against the attacks, however subtle they may be, that the world throws at us?

Revelation 16:16 “And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”

"Mt. Megiddo" was a strategic land hold for Israel (and the ancient world). It allowed an accessible travel route from the south to the north. It was at Megiddo where the king of Egypt sought to pass through b/c of his war w/ a country in the north, and Josiah foolishly disobeyed God, went out against the Egyptian king, and lost his life (2 Kings 23:29). It is used symbolically because the one who controls Megiddo controls all the world.

Revelation 16:17 “The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!””

What a sweet sound?! The judgment is finished, the victory realized, it is done! What began on the cross is now finished in a triumphant cry from the throne, God’s own declaration.

The seventh bowl portrays evil being finally defeated, fully unpacking the Lamb’s unrolled scroll (going back to the dram that unfolds in chps.4-6).

Revelation 16:18 “And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.”

The amplified measure of judgment is expressed by the fact that there had never been an event like this before. It certainly borrows from Dan.12:1, “…there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time.” It seems only fitting that the final judgment, the last Day of the Lord would be the most severe, since in it the final Babylon is judged completely.

Revelation 16:19 “The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.”

Here, the final Babylon the great will be judged as the cities of the nations fall. Indeed, this is a universal judgment that takes place in history. More than just Rome or the next Babylon in the ever-revolving doors of Babylonian typology is in view — this is the final Babylon.

The cup…of His wrath looks back at 14:8-10 where Babylon the great drinks the wine of God’s wrath mixed full strength.

Revelation 16:20 “And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.”

Much like Rev.6:14 where every mountain and island were moved out of their places, and it will be somewhat repeated in 20:11 when the earth and heaven flee away, the fact that they were not found likely plays on the fact that Babylon would be judged in such as as that they would be desolate and perpetually uninhabited (see note on vs.12).

Revelation 16:21 “And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.”

Great hailstones…fell from heaven in a manner similar to what happened in Josh 10:11. There, the Lord fights Israel’s battle and is part of the larger redemptive history of Israel as they enter into the Promised Land, a type of salvation that foreshadows the saints’ ultimate victory.

It may sound a bit like a broken record sometimes, but truly the point is that God deals justly with the wicked. If we take our eyes off of the context, we begin to wander in to endless speculations and guesses about particulars in the book. And, sadly, those speculations have led to divisions among the people of God to where we would rather be known by our end times camps than our unity in Christ.

Christ has won the victory. His death has paid it all. He is the all-sufficient once-for-all sacrifice. His words from the cross boomed across the history of mankind. “It is finished!” All that the Father sent Him for, He had accomplished.

Now, as history comes to its final close, the words from the throne of God responds to Christ’s proclamation with a resounding “It is done.” The Father wins, not in some vindictive, petty jealousy, but in a way that reveals He is just and true. Our response? Cling to Christ, our hope in life and death. He is our righteousness. He is our perfection. He is atoning sacrifice that takes away every sin. He is our everything, and when He returns, like a thief in the night… “what a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land, what a day, glorious day that will be.”