The Vials of God’s Wrath

Revelation 16:1-7

Introduction:  The world has been ruined by sin and now God steps into this world to rescue and judge the sin in the world.  This is a direct judgement of God on mankind.  The time period is short and yet it is complete verse 17 (it is done).  God’s mercy has now come to the threshold and He is ready to judge the world of the chaos.

The vials here refer to the sockets of the lamps of the golden candlestick of the temple.  This appears to be a bowl or pot of some type which holds oil for the lampstand and in this case symbolic of holding the judgement of God.  These vials are filled with God’s wrath as each one is poured out.

I. Judgment on the earth vv. 1-2

 A. The preparation v. 1

1. Much of what happens goes back to Moses and the plagues of Egypt-the boils, water to blood, darkness, frogs, thunders.

2. The work is done in an orderly manner backed by God’ authority.

3. When God steps in to complete it, it is complete.

4. The angels are standing in line with the vials ready at God’s bidding.

B. The pain v. 2

1.  God unleashes germ warfare on the followers of the Beast.

2. These are putrefying sores which are similar or worse than leprosy.

3. This is connected with the sixth plague found in Ex. 9:8-12 with boils on mankind.

4. As man discovers a cure for one disease another comes-here this sore will last throughout the other vial judgements. V.11

5. The constant pain affects the disposition of people and so human relationships will be terrible -all as a judgement from God.

II. Judgment on the sea v. 3

A. The curse

1. The water is turned into blood goes back to the first plague in Egypt Ex. 7:14-25

2. More severe than the second trumpet where only one third is changed, here the total sea is turned into blood-saltwater

3. The blood of dead men point to the fact that life is in the blood refers to death.

4. The sea is a reservoir of animal carcasses.

5. The shores are polluted with the blood and corpses of the dead creating a stench and hazardous waste problem.

6. The globe is literally surrounded in death.

B. The effect

1.  Commerce is paralyzed.

2. Human beings die rapidly.

3. Disease will spread. 

4. Dumping will stop and create backlogs.

5. Utilities and other products will be affected greatly.

6. Boat transportation for oversea products will cease.

7. Healthcare will be annihilated and food will be contaminated.

III. Judgment on the freshwater vv. 4-7

A. Pouring out of the vial v. 4

1.  The rivers and fountains become blood.

2. This has dramatic effect on life inland.

3. This will be an ecological disaster where men’s horrors and despair will know no bounds.

4. This is the destruction of human life and civilization of unparalleled proportions.

5. This angel controls the water ways-some angels must be in charge of the physical aspects of the universe.

B. Praise because of the vial vv. 5-7

1.  The angel of the waters praised God for doing right towards those who have slain God’s people.

2. Another angel also gave praise that His judgements are true, while some may question the severity of them.

3. The Beast has shed the blood of the martyrs and now they are given blood to drink.

4. In God’s government the punishment fits the crime.  Pharoah tried to drown the Israelite boy babies but it was his own army that drowned.  Haman tried to hand Mordecai on the gallows but it was Haman who was hung on his gallows in the book of Esther.

Conclusion:  God will judge properly and orderly.  Sin will be punished and will be dealt with.