AM Bible Study Group; October 7, 2009
Revelation 16:1-21
Theme: With the outpouring of the seven ‘bowl’ judgments, the wrath of God upon this unbelieving age is complete (see 15:1) .
Though there are some significant differences, the seven ‘bowl’ judgments bear a remarkable similarity to the seven ‘trumpets’ of chapters 8-11; and give support to the idea that they are parallel events. These, then, describe the final acts of God’s judgment upon this present age; and are followed by the return of our Lord.
I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT (v. 1).
The seven bowl judgments do not begin until a voice is heard from the temple saying to the seven angels to go and pour out their bowls. This is clearly said to be the outpouring of God’s wrath on the earth; but note that it isn’t done recklessly. God’s wrath–dreadful as it is–is orderly and controlled.
II. THE JUDGMENTS (vv. 2-21).
A. Bowl #1: A judgment on the earth (v. 2; see also 8:7). Here, a foul and loathsome sore comes upon those who have the mark of the beast and who worship his image. If this parallels the first trumpet judgment; then the “hail and fire, mingled with blood” that is thrown on the earth is, somehow, the cause of those wounds.
B. Bowl #2: A judgment on the sea (v. 3; see also 8:8). The sea–as in the time of Moses– becomes like blood “as of a dead man”. If this parallels the second trumpet, then the “great mountain burning with fire” must be the cause. That every living creature in the sea “died” must mean that some of every kind died–but not all; because in the trumpet judgment, only a third are mentioned.
C. Bowl #3: A judgment on the rivers (vv. 4-7; see also 8:10-11). Note the word from heaven that recognizes the justice of God’s judgment. One voice comes from the angel over the waters (see 14:18); and the other comes from the altar (see 6:9-11).
D. Bowl #4: A judgment on the sun (vv. 8-9; see also 8:12-13). Note the hard-hearted reaction of the people of earth! God’s judgment doesn’t mean that men’s hearts are changed.
E. Bowl #5: A judgment on the throne of the beast (vv. 10-11; see also 9:1-12). Again, note the reaction of the people of earth! If this parallels the fifth trumpet, then the darkness must be caused by the smoke released from the bottomless pit; and the pain must be caused by the stings of the locusts.
F. Bowl #6; A judgment on the River Euphrates (vv. 12-16; see also 9:13-21). This very clearly parallels the sixth trumpet judgment. In the sixth trumpet, four angels who are held captive at the Euphrates are released; but in this judgment, three frog-like demons are released. It’s probable that they are not meant to be understood as the same beings. Note how the Lord Himself interrupts this judgment to give a word of encouragement to His people.
G. Bowl #7; A judgment on the air which impacts all the earth (vv. 17-21; see also 11:15- 19 and 11:11-13). The great cry at this judgment is that “It is done!” (see 11:15). Both the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl are accompanied by noises, thunderings, lightnings, and a great earthquake. See Zechariah 14:3-12 and Revelation 11:11-13 for background on the earthquake and the splitting of the city. Babylon is remembered; which is described in greater detail in chapters 17-18. Note, again, that men choose to blaspheme God rather than to repent.