The Seven Bowls of Wrath.
Rev 15:1 Seven Angels
We will see these seven angels again later in this chapter.
1) A great sign in heaven. Another great vision. See Rev 12:1.
The vision is called a ‘sign’ because what is seen is significative of future events about to take place. These events are the coming of God through His son Jesus Christ and the final destruction of Rome
2) Seven angels who had seven plagues.
These angels are not the same angels as those who blew the seven trumpets although their mission is similar. These angels are holding bowls of God’s wrath or plagues as they are referred to here. The bowls of wrath are very similar in meaning to the seven trumpets.
These angels are not bad or evil, the fact that they are holding plagues or wrath shows them to be executioners of God’s wrath sent by Him to deliver His judgement upon the wicked of the world.
3) The last.
The Wrath of God is finished. This is it. The waiting and the warnings are over. God’s wrath has come. It is time for His Final Judgement.
The judgements of the bowls of God’s wrath are not the result of the inventions of man, as we saw in the seals where men were allowed to destroy a great portion of mankind. Nor does the judgement of the bowls stem from Satan, as we saw in the trumpets where he was allowed to unleash his fury and use the Antichrist to accomplish he purpose. The judgement of the bowls is the direct judgement of God Himself. This is borne out from Apostle John’s words: “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” Rev 15:1.
The words “filled up” mean “to bring to a conclusion.” This is a fulfilment of the divine purpose of God.
Practical Studies in Revelation Vol II Theodore H. Epp pg 249
The seven bowls of wrath cover chapters 15 & 16 and can be divided up into further smaller sections:-
First there is a short interlude where glory is given to God Rev 15:2-4
Next the seven bowls are introduced. Rev 15:5-16:1
Finally in chapter 16 we get to the seven bowls themselves.
Glory to God. Rev 15:2-4
1) A sea of glass mixed with fire.
We see the sea of glass of Rev 4:6. “there was as it were a sea of glass like crystal..”
The idea is that where as in Rev 4 the sea was reflecting the glory of God now the sea is reflecting the wrath and fire of God.
Note also Rev 21:1 “there is no longer any sea.”
2) “standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.” These are the people who believed and remained faithful, even to the point of giving their own lives by being martyred. Satan may have thought he had victory over them when he killed them because they would not worship him or his beasts but here we see that they are actually the real victors. Here they are in heaven, in the presence of God standing ready to sing the song of Moses, the song of the Lamb, the song of victory.
3) Harps of God. Ps 33:2; Ps 92:1-5
Symbolic of giving praise to God.
4) The Song of Moses.
Ex 15:1 After Moses and the people of Israel had been delivered from Pharaoh and the army of Egypt via the parting of the Red Sea they sang a song of praise to God. After witnessing such a great miracle they saw the power of God and His love for His people.
Here in Revelation God’s people are again singing a song of deliverance. In both cases the people that God calls His own have been delivered by His hand. Although the two songs are similar, the song of Revelation 15 is much shorter with less detail than the earlier one in Exodus 15.
5) The Song of the Lamb. 2 ideas.
a) Rev 14:3 It is possible that this is the same song of praise as sang by those of the Lamb.
b) Rev 5:9 The praise is for the Lamb as well as God.
6) The Contents of the Song:-
a) “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty”
Christ, as Lord of all, and God over all, His works of creation declares Him to be the Almighty God. Also included in His great works are His providence and His redemption for mankind. Finally included among His works must be the destruction of his enemies, which is described here in Revelation.
b) “Just and true are thy ways”
The ways of this King are faithfulness and truth. All his dealings towards his own people, his subjects, are with mercy and truth. All his judgments upon his enemies are just, being in keeping with what their sins deserved, are true and in agreement with His word.
c) “Thou King of the nations.”
The Arabic versions, read, “King of the nations,” as in Jer 10:7. The Vulgate Latin and Syrian versions read, "King of ages", an everlasting King, as in Jer 10:10
d) “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord”
Up until this time, for the most part only Jews followed God. They feared Him and they knew His goodness. With the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles the fear of the Lord will be in all places, and in all men, both Jews and Gentiles.
Hos 3:5; Isa 60:5
e) “And glorify thy name”
They glorified Him giving him divine worship and adoration and attributing the whole of salvation to him.
f) “for thou only art holy”
Not only perfectly holy, as man, but infinitely as God.
g) “For all nations shall come and worship before thee”
The Gospel shall now be preached to all nations, and the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of it; the kingdoms of this world will become Christ's. His kingdom shall be to the ends of the earth, and all people shall obey him.
These words seem to be taken, out of Ps 86:8-10
Matt 28:18-20 The Great Commission.
h) “for thy righteous acts have been revealed”
"Thy justifications" or "Thy righteousnesses" speak of the prefect righteousness of Christ. He has been reveal or manifested to the world so His ‘acts’, His works and the deeds that He has done have clearly been seen by men.
See also Rev 4:8-11; Rev 5:8-14; Rev 16:5-6; Rev 19:1-2.
A Summary of this section.
Seven angels appeared in heaven; prepared to finish the destruction of Rome Babylon
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary – Online Bible.
Introduction to the Seven Bowls of Wrath.
1) The Temple
This carries the idea of the Old Testament inner sanctuary where God dwells. Notice that both the Temple
There are two common ideas as to what this temple is. First it could be a temple in heaven where God is or the second idea is that it could be the church. The problem with this second idea is that the whole context of this chapter fits the theme of God in heaven delivering His divine judgement upon the earth. This means we must consider this temple not to be the earthly temple or tabernacle but the one found in heaven. We can be in no doubt that this is God because of the smoke within the temple and the commission given to the seven angels.
The Alter – Rev 8:3-5.
The Temple
2) The Seven Angels – Seven Bowls – Seven Plagues.
Again we come upon this number seven, the perfect number or the complete number. In this case, the sevens are symbolical of God’s perfect and complete judgement upon those opposed to Him and their final destruction.
3) Came out of the temple.
This is expressive of their being commissioned by God and sent by Him on a special task or a special mission.
4) Dress of the Angels.
“pure and white linen”
The meaning here is kingly or princely dignity. This girding was a sign of diligence, and the girdle of gold was a sign of sincerity and trustworthiness in taking in charge the commandments of God.
“Clothed in pure and white linen”; in which habit angels have been used to appear, as at our Lord's resurrection and ascension, and is by some thought to be expressive of the purity and holiness of angels; but rather saints are meant, who appear in the habit of priests, being all made kings and priests; and denotes their being clothed with the pure and spotless robe of Christ's righteousness, which is fine linen, clean and white, and the righteousness of the saints.
John Gills Expositor. – Online Bible
There is another minor point concerning the dress of these angels. Instead of ‘linen’ some ancient manuscripts read ‘stone.’ I could find no explanation for this except from John Gill.
The Alexandrian copy, and some copies of the Vulgate Latin version, and some exemplars mentioned by Andreas Caesariensis, an ancient commentator on this book, read, "clothed with a stone, pure and white"; as if they were arrayed in garments of stone, which is not likely; unless reference is had to the stone asbestos, of an iron colour, found, as Pliny says in the mountains of Arcadia, of which linen was made, called "asbestinum", and of that garments; which were so far from being consumed by fire, that they became clean and brighter by it; or to the Carystian stone, which the inhabitants of Carystus used to comb, spin, and weave, and make carpets of.
John Gills Expositor. – Online Bible
5) Seven Golden Bowls.
Dan 5:3 The gold vessels are like those used to serve God in the Old Testament. Seven golden bowls, not full of incense as in Rev 5:8, but full of the wrath of God who lives for ever and ever"
Some English versions of the Bible use the word “vial” which is an old English word for bowl. Like many words found in older English translations it is not commonly used today. Most modern translations just use the word “bowl.”
6) Temple
Sign of the presence of God.
Ex ; Ex 40:34-38; 1 Kings -11; Isa 6:4.
Ex 33:20 God can not be seen.
When the preparations for the judgements were completed “the temple was filled with smoke.” The smoke is signicative of “the glory of God and … . His power” and its manifestation denotes the presence of the glorious and powerful God Himself.
The New Century Bible Commentary – Revelation
G. R. Beasley-Murray pg 237
7) None able to enter.
Judgement is set, time has run out. Even if Rome
8) Loud Voice from heaven.
a) Who
i) The Temple
ii) Only God was there.
b) What was said.
i) “Go” – do it now, don’t wait any longer.
ii) “Pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”
iii) “Onto the earth.”
We see seven angels with seven bowls ready to pour them upon the earth but notice that they waited until the command came from God. Only after the voice from the temple said “Go” did they begin their terrible mission of destruction. Again here is evidence of God being directly in control.
Notice that I have included the first verse of chapter 16 here in this chapter. This verse could be placed in either chapter or even better both chapters could have been combined as they both deal with the same theme “The Seven Bowls of Wrath.” I have partly done this because of the fact that there will be no Overview for this chapter; instead it has been included in the Overview at the end of chapter 16.
Before we move on to the Seven Bowls of Wrath let’s take a moment to consider how they fit in with other series of plagues in Revelation, the Seven Seals and the Seven Trumpets.
The Seven Seals – The Forewarnings of the coming Judgement. Rev 6:1-17.
The Seven Trumpets – The Caution “Judgement has arrived.” Rev 8:7 – 9:21.
The Seven Bowls of Wrath – God’s Judgement. Rev 16:2-21.
In the chronological order of the events in Revelation there was first the seven seals Rev 6:1-17; Rev 8:1, then out of the seventh seal came the seven trumpets Rev 8:1 – : -19. And out of the seventh trumpet comes the last seven vials or bowls of God’s wrath Rev 15:1; Rev 16:1-21.
Practical Studies in Revelation Vol II Theodore H. Epp pg 248
Chapter Sixteen.
The Seven Bowls of Wrath.
Now finally we come to the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath, the delivering or the pouring out of God’s final judgement upon the wicked men who were persecuting the saints. After the seven bowls were introduced in verse one of chapter 15 there was a pause or interlude before God pours out His final wrath, His final judgement upon the wicked.
During this pause in which the martyred saints sang praises to God there was still time for men to repent of their sins and receive God’s favour through the name of His son Christ Jesus.
Finally there comes the command to “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”
Who was this who gave this command, whose loud voice was heard coming from the temple? Many believe this is God Himself since it was God who was in the temple. Others put forward the case that this can not be God because the voice uses the term “God’s wrath.” They suggest that this command might have come from either one of the four living creatures or even from Christ Himself, but either way the message here is that finally God’s wrath has come, His final judgement was to be delivered upon the wicked on the earth.
These final judgements are the most intense and devastating of any that have preceded them. God has been slow to anger, but here and now His long-suffering ends and judgement in this final stage of the day of wrath proceeds directly from God. This is the emphasis of the seven bowls of wrath; they come directly from God.
Practical Studies in Revelation Vol II Theodore H. Epp pg 248
1) The First Bowl. Rev 16:2.
a) “Poured out upon the Earth”.
b) Loathsome and malignant sores.
i) Sixth plague of Egypt
ii) Pains of those who disobey God. - Duet 28:15 & 35.
iii) Sores that tortured Job. - Job 2:7-8.
c) Upon whom?
i) “All men who wear the mark of the beast on their forehead.”
ii) “All men who worship the image of the beast.”
“Upon the earth”; signifying that some distressing judgment falls on the worshippers of the beast. Men are so entirely in the hands of God, he can in so many ways and with such perfect ease destroy them, that it is the height of folly as well as wickedness to oppose his cause, or to refuse his grace.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
Only those who have received the mark of the beast and who have worshipped his image suffer from the bowls of wrath. Even as in Egypt Israel
Those who worship the Devil receive their pay here. Not just part of the earth is included in the judgement, but all the earth – wherever there are those who have received the mark of the beats and worshipped his image.
Practical Studies in Revelation Vol II Theodore H. Epp pg 262
2) The Second Bowl Rev 16:3.
a) “Poured out upon the Sea.”
b) The Sea turned to blood of a dead man.
i) The first plague of Egypt
ii) The second trumpet of Revelation. - Rev 8:8-9
c) Not one third but all of it.
Notice that none of these plagues were limited.
d) Every living creature in the sea died.
“Upon the sea;” probably here, as often elsewhere, a symbol of revolutions accompanied with a terrible amount of bloodshed, and preparing the way for the overthrow of the beast.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
3) The Third Bowl Rev 16:4-7.
a) “Poured out upon the rivers and springs.”
b) Freshwater turned to blood.
Rivers and springs of waters – there is only blood to drink.
c) This judgement is also upon water the thing most needed for life.
d) Why did God judge them?
The angel said “for they poured out the blood of the saints and prophets, and Thou has given them blood to drink. They deserve it.”
“The rivers and fountains--became blood;” seeming to indicate a succession of bloody wars.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
Praises to God.
There is a pause here where the angel holding the third bowl gave praises to God. The angel proclaimed God as being ever lasting and holy and His judgements here being just. Why? Because the judgements were upon those who “shed the blood of your saints and prophets.”
Then the altar responds – “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgements.”
4) The Fourth Bowl Rev 16:8-9.
a) “Poured out upon the Sun.”
b) God gave the sun power to scorch men with fire.
Remember that there was no water because of the third bowl.
c) “They blasphemed the name of God.
They did not repent.”
5) The Fifth -11.
a) “Poured upon the throne of the beast and his kingdom.”
b) “Darkness.”
This is like the 9th plague of Egypt
c) Still they blasphemed God.
Still they did not repent.
6) The Sixth -16.
a) “Poured upon the Euphrates River
b) The Euphrates dried up.
Means the place of enemies or the way is made clear for invading armies to march on Rome
There is an interesting parallel here from history. When Cyrus the Mede over threw the great city of Babylon Euphrates . Without the protection of the river, the city was easily overrun.
c) The Frogs.
i) Spirits of demons.
ii) Came from:- The Dragon (Satan Rev 12:9)
The beast (The Sea Beast Rev 13:1-10)
The False Prophet (The -18).
iii) Meaning – evil propaganda used by Rome
d) Har- Magedon – Armageddon.
This place is seen by many to be the scene of a great battle at the end of time but a closer study will reveal this not to be the case.
A battle ground where those against the Lord are defeated.
Judges 5:19; 11 Kings 9:27; 11 Kings 23:28-29;
Zech 12:11; 11 Chron 35:22
i) Symbolic meaning.
To fit with the surrounding context of a book of symbolic meaning why should we take this in any other way but symbolic?
(See my further comments on this below.)
e) “Blessed is the one who stays awake…..”
i) This is the third of the seven blessings of Revelation. See Rev 1:3.
ii) Remember the warning given to the church at Sardis
Maybe we should take time to look at the meaning of Armageddon. First look closely at verse 16. There is actually no battle mentioned here. There is no mention of an army belonging to God.
The next problem is the name Armageddon. Is this a real place? It is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Some translations use the name Har-Magedon which is mentioned twelve times in the Old Testament.
Some writers take this as meaning "Mountain of Megiddo
Megiddo is mentioned twelve times in the Old Testament, ten times in reference to the ancient city of Megiddo, and twice with reference to "the plain of Megiddo", most probably simply meaning "the plain next to the city". None of these Old Testament passages describe the city of Megiddo as being associated with any particular prophetic beliefs.
Wikipedia – Armageddon
The city of Megiddo does seem to fit what is being said in Rev 16:16 as many great battles were fought in this location. But we still have the question as to whyshould we carefully look for the symbolic meaning throughout the entire book up to this point when suddenly we conclude this must require a literal meaning.
Har-Magedon seems to be associated with the plain of Esdraelon in Israel where Israel gained some of her greatest victories, but it also must be noted, suffered some serious defeats as well. It is safe to assume that the Jews of the 1st century would have known this location as a place of battles. So taking this meaning we would have Armageddon the place where God overcomes the evil of Satan. There does not need to be a battle as many predict there will be since the war we are considering through the entire book of Revelation is actually a spiritual war.
Even so I am not entirely convinced I have completely explained Armageddon. It might be like the number 666 which we saw earlier in this book. I have no doubt there is a meaning but through the many centuries since Revelation was written it might have become lost to us today.
7) The Seventh -21.
a) “Poured out upon the air.”
b) A loud voice.
i) The voice of Rev 15:1.
ii) The voice said “It is done.”
It is over, the job is done. Symbolises completeness of God’s judgement.
c) A Great Earthquake.
Notice that this final judgement is worse than that of .
d) Babylon
i) "The great city split into three parts." This is a clear reference to Rev 11:13 where the great city is figuratively called Jerusalem-Sodom-Egypt. The ciity was divided mraning the ciity was completely destroyed.
ii) "The cities of the nations collasped." The cities and nations which supported Rome were drawn into her fall.
iii) "God remembered Babylon the Great." God did not forget what Rome had done to His people. He knew the persecution they had gone through, He knew how much they had suffered for His name, and He knew how many had even given their lives for refusing to deny Him.
iv) "gave her the cup filled with the wine of His fierce wrath.” God brought His judgement upon the city and upon her people.
i) "The great city split into three parts." This is a clear reference to Rev 11:13 where the great city is figuratively called Jerusalem-Sodom-Egypt. The ciity was divided mraning the ciity was completely destroyed.
ii) "The cities of the nations collasped." The cities and nations which supported Rome were drawn into her fall.
iii) "God remembered Babylon the Great." God did not forget what Rome had done to His people. He knew the persecution they had gone through, He knew how much they had suffered for His name, and He knew how many had even given their lives for refusing to deny Him.
iv) "gave her the cup filled with the wine of His fierce wrath.” God brought His judgement upon the city and upon her people.
Remember the wine press of -20.
e) Still men continued to blaspheme God.
f) Who or what is Babylon
The Meaning of the Seven Bowls of Wrath.
Often in our study of Revelation, we find that images and visions are not as they first appear, being actually symbolic for a deeper meanings. We have found during our study of Revelation that since we are unable to take the literal image presented we have to search for the deeper figurative or symbolic meaning. As in the seven trumpets we are unable to establish meanings for every detail and so we must conclude that the seven bowls are symbolic for God’s complete and final judgement on Rome
In our study of Revelation we have found many images that have parallels in other parts of the Bible. In the case of the seven bowls of wrath there is a very close connection with the seven trumpets of chapters eight and nine, and with the plagues of Egypt
(See Appendix B – Summary of the Plagues.)
The First Bowl – Poured upon the Earth. Rev 16:2.
The First Trumpet – Land Disaster Rev 8:7.
The Second Bowl – Poured upon the sea. Rev 16:3.
The Second Trumpet – Maritime Disaster. Rev 8:8-9.
The Third Bowl – Poured upon the rivers and springs. Rev 16:4-7.
The Third Trumpet – Freshwater Disaster. Rev 8:10-11.
The Fourth Bowl – Poured upon the sun. Rev 16:8-9.
The Fourth Trumpet – Disaster in the sky or heavens. .
The Fifth Bowl – Poured upon the throne of the beast and his kingdom. Rev 16:10-11.
The Fifth Trumpet – Complete collapse due to Internal Decay. Rev 9:1-11.
The Sixth Bowl – Poured upon the Euphrates River
The Sixth Trumpet – Destruction by Invading Armies.
(from across the Euphrates ) Rev 9:13-21.
The Seventh Bowl – Poured upon the air. Rev 16:17-21.
The Seventh Trumpet – Final judgement on Rome
It is easy to observe that there is in many of these vials an allusion to the plagues of Egypt; in the first, Rev 16:2 to the plague of boils, Ex 9:8,11 in the second and third, Rev 16:3,4 to that of turning the waters of Egypt into blood, Ex 7:19-21 in the fourth, Rev 16:10 to the darkness that was over all the land of Egypt, Ex 10:21,23 and in the fifth there is a manifest reference to the frogs that distressed the Egyptians, Ex 8:5,6 and in the seventh, to the plague of hail, Ex 9:23-26 and they have much the same effect, even the hardening of those on whom they fall, being far from being brought to repentance by them, Rev 16:9,11 and this confirms the application of the vials to the destruction of Rome, which is spiritually called Egypt, Rev 11:8.
John Gills Expositor. – Online Bible
There is an interesting question concerning God’s judgement and the seven bowls of wrath. Notice that the reaction of those of the beast was similar to that of Pharaoh during the plagues of Egypt
In the case of Rome Egypt Sodom Gomorrah
Overview – The Story so Far.
Lets look back over the last few chapters and view the overall picture.
Under the Struggle between Christ and Satan.
Delivering of the Child Rev 12:1-6.
War in Heaven. Rev 12:7-12.
War on Earth. Rev 12:13-17.
The Forces of War
1) Forces of Evil lead by Satan. Rev 13.
2) Forces of Righteousness Rev 14.
a) Forces of Righteousness lead by the Lamb. Rev 14:1-5.
b) Interlude:- Hope and confidence. Rev 14:6-13.
c) The Sickles of Judgement. Rev 14:14-20.
The Seven Bowls of Wrath.
1) Introduction. Rev 15:1
Interlude:- Glory to God. Rev 15:2-4.
2) The Temple of Testimony
3) The Seven Bowls of Wrath. Rev 16:2-21.
a) The First Bowl of Wrath – Rev 16:2..
Loathsome and malignant sores.
b) The Second Bowl of Wrath – Rev 16:3.
The Sea turned to blood of a dead man.
c) The Third Bowl of Wrath – Rev 16:4-7.
Rivers and springs of waters turned to blood.
d) The Fourth Bowl of Wrath – Rev 16:8-9
God gave the sun power to scorch men with fire.
e) The Fifth Bowl of Wrath – -11.
Darkness.
f) The Sixth Bowl of Wrath – -16.
The Euphrates dried up.
g) The Seventh Bowl of Wrath – -21.
A Great Earthquake – God’s Final Judgement.
Finally we have come to God’s Judgement, the Seven Bowls of Wrath. Notice that these are very similar to the plagues found under the seven seals and the seven trumpets. The only difference here is that here these plagues are total whereas the other plagues had been partial.
In chapter fifteen we saw a short interlude where glory was given to God. This was followed by an introduction to the seven bowls. As we moved into chapter sixteen we see the seven bowls themselves. Seven angels carry seven bowls of the wrath of God. As each angel is commanded to pour their bowls upon the earth we see a plague similar to the plagues of Egypt
The next major event in the Revelation story is in Rev 19-21 where we see Christ’s return to the earth but before then it is important that we take time to look at “Babylon
Now we move on into chapter 17 where many of the ideas and visions we have just looked at will be further explained. It is in chapter 17 that we find the most evidence that Revelation is mainly concerned with the God’s Judgement on Rome
In our study of this chapter we will find many references to the book of Daniel.
See also Appendix E “Parts of Daniel relating to Revelation.”
See also Appendix B – Summary of the Plagues.
