Seven Bowls

v.1:

The time has come for the final judgments to begin.

These seven bowls of God's wrath will eclipse anything we've yet seen.

Sores

v.2:

Foul and loathsome sores on all who have the mark of the beast.

This is the same as the boils that plagued the Egyptians, and afflicted Job. Except on a much larger scale.

The sores are the same as the boils that plagued the Egyptians

Exodus 9:9-11

Exodus 9:9–11 NKJV

And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians.

Following anyone other than Christ can only lead to misery.

Sea of Blood

v.3:

The sea turns to blood, killing every living creature.

This is reminiscent of the second trumpet, except with greater devastation.

The sea of blood is a more severe version of the 2nd trumpet and reminiscent of the 1st plague against Egypt

Revelation 8:8-9

Revelation 8:8–9 NKJV

Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

It also harkens back to the first plague against Egypt.

Exodus 7:20-25

Exodus 7:20–25 NKJV

And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this. So all the Egyptians dug all around the river for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the river. And seven days passed after the Lord had struck the river.

The death and decay of countless sea creatures will add to the misery of this plague.

Not only will a major source of food be gone, but the stench, rot and disease brought about will be unbearable.

It's only appropriate that blood is used as an instrument of judgment against those who have rejected the saving blood of Jesus Christ.

Rivers and Springs of Blood

v.4:

Yet another example of the poetic justice of blood as the instrument of judgment.

Now the earth's freshwater supply has been made undrinkable.

The waters of blood will affect the fresh water that will already be in short supply because of a prolonged drought.

Revelation 11:6

Revelation 11:6 NKJV

These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

Not only that, they will have no clean water with which to wash their sores.

vv.5-7:

The eternal and righteous God will avenge the blood of the saints and the prophets by giving the persecutors blood to drink.

This is also similar to the justice administered by Moses in response to the people's idolatry.

Exodus 32:20

Exodus 32:20 NKJV

Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it.

We should never consider God to be too harsh, His judgments are righteous.

He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and offers time and time again His saving grace.

However; when people refuse His offer of grace.

When people reject the saving blood of Jesus Christ.

When people mock God by murdering His saints and prophets. They receive their just rewards.

Scorching heat

vv.8-9:

The sun, which normally provides life-giving warmth and energy will become an instrument of judgment.

The heat will be so intense that it will scorch the people.

In addition to its direct effect on people, the scorching heat will likely melt the polar ice caps.

Amos 9:5-6

Amos 9:5–6 NKJV

The Lord God of hosts, He who touches the earth and it melts, And all who dwell there mourn; All of it shall swell like the River, And subside like the River of Egypt. He who builds His layers in the sky, And has founded His strata in the earth; Who calls for the waters of the sea, And pours them out on the face of the earth— The Lord is His name.

This would raise the sea level by 200 feet, enough to catastrophically flood many of the earth's major cities.

It would disrupt ocean transportation, making it more difficult to distribute the dwindling food resources.

All of this will simply add to the misery.

Yet, they will not repent. Instead, they will blaspheme God.

Darkness and Pain

v.10:

Beginning at the capital of the Antichrist's satanic empire, a plague of darkness spreads to engulf the entire kingdom.

The day of the Lord will come with darkness, and it will overtake them

Joel 2:1-2

Joel 2:1–2 NKJV

Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.

Darkness is always associated with judgment and/or sin. In this case it is both.

All who do not walk in Christ, walk in darkness, and the darkness will eventually overtake them.

John 12:35

John 12:35 NKJV

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.

At this point, the darkness will be manifest in a very real way.

It will be so thick, that they will be able to feel it, and it'll be painful.

v.11:

What is the reaction of those who follow the beast?

The same as always, they refuse to repent. Instead, they blaspheme God.

Dry River and Frogs

v.12:

The Euphrates flows 1800 miles, and five times in scripture it is called great.

However, between the prolonged drought and the sun's intense heat, the river would already have been greatly reduced.

What's left of this once great river will now be dried up completely.

This once massive barrier now provides easy access for the kings of the east.

They will take advantage of the situation for one last, massive assault on Israel.

The reality; however, is that God will have prepared the way that will lead these kings and their armies to destruction in the battle of Armageddon.

vv.13-14:

These unclean spirits are the unholy trinity: Satan, the antichrist and the false prophet.

This is made clear not only by the number of them (3), but also by the performance of signs.

Their comparison to frogs underscores their vileness.

Frogs were unclean animals according to the OT dietary laws.

Leviticus 11:10-11

Leviticus 11:10–11 NKJV

But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination.

The mission now is to gather the world's armies together for one massive assault at Armageddon.

The truth is, though, that the battle is not Satan's day, but the Great day of God Almighty!

v.15:

As the world's armies are gathering against God's elect, He emphasizes the need to be always prepared.

Like a soldier ready for a battle that could come at any time.

Those who are watching, and ready for His return are blessed, for they are His chosen elect, the saints of God.

They will not be surprised, even though they have no idea of when His return will be.

The armies of darkness; however, will never see Him coming.

They will be unprepared, and destroyed in an instant.

v.16:

Unbeknownst to them, they are gathered together at Armageddon, to meet Him at His return.

They could've been covered in the blood of Christ, but for their refusal, they will be covered in their own blood.

Earthquake

vv.17-21:

With the seventh and final bowl, the end of judgment is proclaimed.

With that, an earthquake so fierce, that all remnants of the antichrists domain will be erased.

The cities and nations will fall.

Mountains and islands will disappear.

The remaining followers of the antichrist will be plagued with large hail.

Just as the flood purged, destroyed and erased all traces of the sinful world before it, so will this judgment erase the sinful world before it.

Just as Israel was instructed to destroy the idolatrous Canaanite civilization, in order to purge the land which God had given to Israel. A land which God had consecrated and declared holy, so will this wicked land be purged.

The people obviously realize that these judgments come from God because they curse him for sending them.

Sadly, they still refuse to recognize God’s authority and repent of their sins.

It will be a time of purging, preparation for the God’s Kingdom.

It is necessary, because no sin can exist within the Kingdom of Christ.

All traces of sin must be removed.

This is precisely what Jesus does to the believer.

Before the Holy Spirit can dwell within you, your sin has to be dealt with.

Sadly though, even when God’s power is fully revealed, many will still refuse to repent.

Don’t wait until “just the right time” before turning to God. Do it now while you still have the chance.

If you continually ignore God’s warnings, you will eventually be unable to hear him at all.

By the blood of Jesus Christ, you are washed clean, white as snow.

You then become a temple, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Holy and consecrated unto the Lord.

Just as the Antichrist could not be defeated apart from Christ, there is no way to defeat the sin in your life apart from Jesus Christ.