1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and [upon] them which worshipped his image.
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead [man]: and every living soul died in the sea.
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Overview of Revelation Chapter 16
Revelation Chapter 16 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Revelation, detailing the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth. This chapter serves as a culmination of the judgments that have been progressively revealed throughout the text, emphasizing themes of divine justice, the consequences of sin, and the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into several key sections, each detailing the specific bowl judgments:
- The First Bowl: Sores (Verses 1-2)
- The Second Bowl: Sea Turned to Blood (Verses 3)
- The Third Bowl: Rivers and Springs Turned to Blood (Verses 4-7)
- The Fourth Bowl: Scorching Sun (Verses 8-9)
- The Fifth Bowl: Darkness (Verses 10-11)
- The Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up (Verses 12-16)
- The Seventh Bowl: The Final Judgment (Verses 17-21)
Detailed Analysis of Each Bowl Judgment
The First Bowl: Sores (Verses 1-2)
The first bowl results in painful sores afflicting those who have the mark of the beast. This judgment signifies the physical manifestation of spiritual corruption and rebellion against God.
The Second Bowl: Sea Turned to Blood (Verse 3)
The second bowl turns the sea into blood, reminiscent of the plagues of Egypt. This symbolizes the death and destruction that follows from rejecting God, impacting marine life and commerce.
The Third Bowl: Rivers and Springs Turned to Blood (Verses 4-7)
Similar to the second bowl, the third bowl affects freshwater sources, indicating a complete ecological disaster. The justification for this judgment is given as the shedding of the blood of saints and prophets, emphasizing divine retribution.
The Fourth Bowl: Scorching Sun (Verses 8-9)
The fourth bowl unleashes intense heat from the sun, causing suffering among humanity. Despite the pain, people do not repent, highlighting the hardness of their hearts and rejection of God’s mercy.
The Fifth Bowl: Darkness (Verses 10-11)
This bowl plunges the kingdom of the beast into darkness, symbolizing spiritual blindness and despair. The suffering leads to gnawing pain, yet the people continue to blaspheme God instead of repenting.
The Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up (Verses 12-16)
The sixth bowl dries up the Euphrates River, allowing for the gathering of kings for the final battle at Armageddon. This act signifies the preparation for the ultimate confrontation between good and evil.
The Seventh Bowl: The Final Judgment (Verses 17-21)
The seventh bowl represents the climax of God’s wrath, culminating in a great earthquake and hail. The destruction is unprecedented, and the chapter concludes with a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.
Theological Themes
- Divine Justice: The chapter emphasizes that God’s judgments are just and serve to vindicate the suffering of the faithful.
- Human Rebellion: Despite the severe judgments, humanity’s refusal to repent highlights the pervasive nature of sin.
- Hope and Restoration: While the chapter details destruction, it also sets the stage for the eventual restoration and victory of God’s kingdom.
Conclusion
Revelation Chapter 16 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It underscores the importance of repentance and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all creation. The vivid imagery and powerful symbolism invite readers to reflect on their own lives in the light of God’s holiness and justice.
