Revelation chapter 16 describes the final seven vials of
the wrath of God, representing God's punishment of
sinners during the Tribulation period. The judgments are
somewhat parallel to the ten plaques of Egypt and to the
trumpet judgments of Revelation chapters 8 and 9.
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.
2a And the first went, and poured
out his vial upon the earth;
2b 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.
Only those who have received the mark of the beast –
666, will be afflicted with these ulcerated sores!
By rejecting Christ and accepting the Antichrist, these
sinners will now display the mark of God – ulcers, that
will most likely cover the number of the beast.
• “Sore” means an ulcer
like an oozing boil.
• “Noisome” means of a
bad nature,
troublesome,
injurious.
• “Grievous” means
something that is
annoying, painful, or
bad.
These sores will be extremely painful, festering and
incurable. Nothing will bring relief to the lost sinners
suffering from these boils that destroy their health.
This reminds us of
the sixth plague of
Egypt in the days
of Moses, when
God allowed the
people to suffer
from incurable,
painful boils all
over their bodies.
~Exodus 9: 8-12
These festering boils are more than likely the same
physical problem that Job suffered. ~Job 2:7
3a And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea;
3b and it became as the blood of a dead man:
3c and every living soul died in the sea.
And there went out
another horse that
was red: and power
was given to him that
sat thereon to take
peace from the earth,
and that they should
kill one another: and
there was given unto
him a great sword.
In the second seal judgment, great bloodshed was
brought upon the earth.
In the second trumpet judgment, God caused a third part
of the sea to become blood. ~Revelation 8:8.
However, this second bowl judgment includes the entire
oceans of the world that covers 70% of the surface of
this planet.
We have seen a glimpse of this plague with the recent
red tides off the coast of Florida. Red algae in the water,
produces a toxin that paralyzes the central nervous
system of marine life, causing death. This can also
cause death to people who have eaten fish that have
been contaminated with the red tide toxin.
Every creature in the sea will perish when the water is
turned to blood. Beaches will no longer attract sun
worshippers and pleasure seekers, but will reek with the
unbearable stench of death throughout the world that carries
the potential for disease as these organisms die and decay.
The impact of this judgment will be devastating.
Millions will face starvation as the food supply from the
oceans is drastically reduced.
Drought of worldwide proportion will occur as the rainfall
on the earth is greatly diminished because most of the
rain water comes from moisture that evaporates from
the oceans of the world.
This judgment will also interfere with commerce and
shipping. The fish industry will be destroyed and people
will constantly be searching for an adequate source of
water to no avail.
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers
and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
A similar occurrence was experienced in the first plaque of
Egypt when God instructed Moses to take his rod, and stretch
out his hand upon the waters of Egypt that they may become
blood ~Exodus 7: 19 – 21. Men searched in vain for water to
quench their thirst.
In Revelation 8:10-11, a
third of the rivers
became wormwood and
many died because of
the bitterness. The
comet, meteor, or some
other heavenly body that
fell into the waters,
poisoned one-third of the
world’s fresh water
supply.
In Revelation 16:4, the
third vial extends the
destruction to all
bodies of fresh water
internationally. Every
source of fresh water
in the universe is
turned to blood.
There will be no fresh
water to drink, only
blood.
Our bodies can
survive several
weeks without food,
but only about three
days without water.
No doubt death
from disease and
thirst will skyrocket
during these
horrible, evil days.
But whosoever
drinketh of the
water that I shall
give him shall
never thirst; but
the water that I
shall give him
shall be in him a
well of water
springing up into
everlasting life.
~John 4:14
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.
The angel of the waters was in perfect
agreement with God’s divine judgment.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and
thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
The angel justifies
God’s act with these
words that explain
why those who have
opposed God and His
people throughout the
ages, deserve this
punishment.
It seems that blood in
the water supply is
punishment for the
shed blood of the
saints and prophets.
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord
God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
The angels praise God for
His wisdom in sending this
judgment. The world is
merely reaping what it has
sown for denying Him and
defiling His creation.
The angels are saying,
“Amen! Lord God Almighty,
you are right! Let them drink
blood. They shed the Blood
of the saints; give them blood
to drink! They are worthy,
they deserve it!”
Blood has always symbolized life and salvation.
“The life of the flesh is in the blood.” ~Leviticus 17:1
“The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.”
~1 John 1:7.
How ironic! It was blood that
could have saved these
people, and now it is blood
that will kill all living creatures
in the seas and rivers and
probably many people. Blood
now, becomes a symbol of
condemnation and death.
8a And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun;
8b and power
was given
unto him to
scorch men
with fire.
The power of the sun is increased until the terrific
heat and blazes of fire from the sun scorch and burn
the backs of men, roasting them with a great heat
wave. These unrepentant men, whose mouths have
already been parched from lack of water suffer even
more intense thirst from the great heat.
This type of "heat" would also burn up all crops, cause
droughts, and probably even melt all of the polar ice region.
The sun is
some 93 million
miles away
from the earth.
If the sun were
any closer, we
would be
burned up. If
the sun were
any farther
away, we would
freeze to death.
God placed it
exactly where it
needs to be.
The sun is so large that 1.3 million
of our earths could fit inside of it.
The sun is a giant nuclear reactor.
The surface of the sun is nearly 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Surrounding the earth is a band of radiation called the
magnetosphere. This radiation band filters out the UV
rays of the sun, allowing exactly the right amount of
heat and light to enter earth’s atmosphere.
Environmentalists and
scientists tell us that
people are slowly
destroying the Ozone
layer above the earth. If
destroyed, people would
die by the thousands from
harmful UV rays from the
sun that had not been
filtered to make them safe.
Like the ozone layer, it
takes just a very thin coat
of the shed blood of Jesus
to protect us from the
enemies of God.
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.
One day mankind will awaken to a sun that will blaze
down in flaming heat, scorching their bodies. This will be
nothing compared to the pain they will feel when they are
cast into Hell’s fire. This is just a warning of something far
more terrible to come that will be final and eternal!
This terrible plague is
vented at the beast
and its followers.
These people
understand that God is
behind these plagues.
Instead of repeating in
the face of His wrath,
they stand in
continued defiance to
Him and His will,
blaspheming the name
of God.
Like the Pharaoh
in Egypt, the
people’s hearts
have been
hardened and
they have no
desire to give
God the glory.
10a And the fifth angel poured out his
vial upon the seat of the beast;
When this fifth bowl is
poured out, this
plague begins at the
very throne room of
the Antichrist and then
spreads to cover his
entire kingdom. Some
scholars believe this to
be Babylon, but most
agree that this plague
will be worldwide.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:22:
God’s period for the Tribulation totals seven years,
or eighty-four months, or exactly 2,520 days.
Since God’s plan has been prophesied and cannot
be changed, how are the days of intensified heat
from the sun shortened for those with God’s seal in
their foreheads, the elect?
When the fifth bowl
judgment is unleashed
upon the world, the world
is suddenly engulfed in
inky black darkness. This
darkness will be so
severe and complete
that nothing can
penetrate it. This
darkness represents a
change in the way light
reaches the planet and
suggests that the power
grids that we use to light
the earth will be done
away with.
10b and his kingdom was
full of darkness;
This same phenomenon occurred in Egypt during the
ninth plague as described in Exodus 10: 21-23. The
whole land was consumed in darkness so oppressive
that Moses said you could actually feel it. That's the
sort of thing that will come upon the kingdom of the
Antichrist at this time.
The Antichrist may be a powerful political ruler, energized
and supported by Satan, but he, like pharaoh,is also
helpless to defend himself against the judgment of God.
This divine judgment will give a physical illustration of
their spiritual darkness. This "darkness" here was not just
physical darkness, which is bad enough; but this
"darkness" is of the spirit, as well, bringing depression,
attempted suicide, and all sorts of evil attacks on the
mind. Man will no longer be able to produce electricity
from the rivers and bodies of water, due to the
contamination from the 2nd and 3rd vial judgments.
This supernaturally imposed
darkness is also representative of
the darkness that has already
engulfed the world. The world has
already rejected the Light of the
World, the Lord Jesus, because
they loved darkness rather than
light, John 3:19. This world chose
moral, spiritual, intellectual, and
emotional darkness over the light
that was available in the person of
Jesus Christ and in the Word of
God. They favored darkness over
light and God gives them more
darkness than they ever
bargained for!
10c and they
gnawed their
tongues for pain,
We are also told that when this darkness
descends, men will literally chew their tongues
because their pain is so great. The combined
misery of the sores in their bodies; starvation
from the ruined oceans; the lack of drinkable
water and terrible burns they have suffered from
the intense heat of the sun, all combine to cause
the inhabitants of the earth to writhe in pain.
What we see here is a tiny glimpse of Hell. God is letting
the Antichrist and his followers know what is waiting on
them because they have rejected Jesus. Once, when
speaking of Hell, Jesus said this, “And cast ye the
unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth,” Matt. 25:30.
The last time the entire earth was totally blacked out was
when Jesus hung on the cross. He was paying the sin-
debt. He took the sinner’s place . . . outer darkness
forever. Jesus suffered all the agony, pain and misery of
an eternal hell for you and me, even the darkness.
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their
pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
These judgments are so clearly
supernatural that everyone will
know that they descend from the
God of heaven. But instead of
falling down before Him to
become the recipients of His
mercy, they curse God and
blaspheme His name. They do
not repent, but refuse to change
their ways. Those who reject the
Lord do so, not because of doubts or
unexplained answers to unanswered
questions, but as a result of
hardness of heart and love for sin.
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.
The sixth trumpet judgment found in Revelation 9:13-19,
and the Sixth Bowl Judgment are very similar. In the
trumpet judgment, the four angels that were bound in the
great river Euphrates, were loosed.
These angels were
commanded by God
to execute their
judgment in the
area of the
Euphrates River
where God planted
the Garden of Eden.
It is here that God also made His unconditional covenant
with Abraham and established the Euphrates River as the
eastern boundary of the Promised Land. (Genesis 15:18)
Today, this area is located in present-day Iran,
Iraq, and Syria. previously known as Persia.
The Euphrates
begins in Turkey at
Mount Ararat and
flows south, through
Iraq, and into the
Persian Gulf. This
river, which is over
1,800 miles long, has
been for centuries,
the dividing line
between the east and
the west.
It forms a natural
barrier against
advancing armies.
In Revelation 16:12, one witnesses a miraculous drying
up of the Euphrates River in order that the kings of the
east might cross over unhindered, leading an army of
two hundred million.
The Euphrates River possibly dries up because of the
building of dams along the waterway and problems
caused by some of the past bowl judgments. When the
oceans and fresh waters are turned to blood, the
amount of rainfall is reduced. This will bring drought
that will allow these armies from the east to come into
Israel on dry land.
This fearful army of 200 million will cross the Euphrates
River to participate in the greatest Mideast confrontation
ever – the battle of Armageddon, the conflict fight against
the Lord and His hosts that will be detailed in Revelation
19: 11-16.
Several countries today have the ability to build an army
of 200 million. This includes China and the Muslim world.
Following World War II, the United Nations took
Palestinian lands and gave it to the displaced Jews that
survived the Holocaust as a home.
Ever since, there has been conflict in that region
between the Arab nations that surround Israel as they
repeatedly try to oust the Jews from Palestine, failing in
every attempt.
This great hostility could cause a Muslim army to possibly
declare Islamic jihad (meaning Holy War) against
countries supporting Israel.
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.
Verse 13 reveals three unclean spirits like frogs
coming out of the mouths of the unholy trinity,
controlled by the power of evil spirits:
1. The dragon (Satan)
2. The beast (Antichrist)
3. The false Prophet (head of the world church)
The symbolism of “like frogs” speaks of
uncleanness, just as the plague of frogs in Egypt
produced a stench that filled the land with
indescribable odors and filth (Exodus 8:14)
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.
These "spirits of
devils" will have
power to perform
supernatural
miracles as part of
their deception, just
like the Egyptian
magicians copied
some of Moses'
miracles.
These evil spirits are so deceiving, that they convince
these armies to come against Israel. They willingly come
to the battle against God Himself, believing they will win.
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.
We see here that Jesus comes unexpectedly. He tells
the surviving Tribulation believers to be watchful and
alert for His Coming.
In Christ’s day, it was
custom to wear a one-
piece garment during
the day and remove it
at bedtime. The
warning is to be
prepared, both
physically and
spiritually, to avoid
being found naked and
ashamed.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in
the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Satan may think that he is in control of these
events, but the real Ringmaster is God Himself. He
gathers the nations of the world in the valley of
Megiddo so that He might engage them and
destroy them in one moment of time.
Verse 16 identifies the
place of the final battle
as Armageddon, from
the Hebrew Har
Megiddon (the Hill of
Megiddo). The hill
country of Megiddo and
the adjacent valley of
Esdraelon. Armageddon
runs through the middle
of the Holy Land from
the Mediterranean Sea
to the Jordan River. It is
approximately two
hundred miles long and
ten miles wide.
Armageddon has been a place of slaughter down
through the ages and was the great battlefield of the
Old Testament. Armageddon means “to cut off,” and
that is exactly what God will do in that great hour!
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.
Satan is the “the prince of the power of the air”
(Ephesians 2:2). This is why “we wrestle . . . against
spiritual wickedness in high place.” (Ephesians 6:12)
The seventh angel, in pouring out his bowl “into the
air,” destroys the last traces of Satan’s abiding place.
The battle of Armageddon also destroys every nook
and cranny where Satan has had a resting place.
When Christ bore the judgment for sin on the cross,
He cried, “It is finished.” Now, mankind will pay the
price for not repenting and allowing Christ to bear
their burdens. A voice from heaven again cries, “It is
done.” This 21st judgment will be the final judgment.
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.
The seventh outpoured bowl produces thunders,
lightnings, and the most devastating earthquake
ever to occur upon earth, as predicted by the
prophet Haggai. (Haggai 2: 6-7)
This final bowl
judgment does not
bring about the
end of the world.
Instead, Jesus will
return to establish
His earthly
kingdom, and rule
for one thousand
years. However,
this will be the end
of civilization as
we know it today.
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.
This destruction divides the great city Jerusalem into three
parts and causes every major city in all nations to fall.
The worst judgment is reserved for Babylon, which
receives the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His
wrath. Details of Babylon’s demise will be studied in
Revelation 18.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were
not found.
In addition to the destruction, every island flees
away and mountains become dislocated, even to the
point of disappearing into the oceans.
21a And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven,
every stone about the weight of a talent:
The judgment climaxes with the raining down from
heaven of hailstones weighing from 86 to 120
pounds.
The Greek talent weighed 86 pounds, the Troy talent
96 pounds, and the Jewish talent 120 pounds.
Whatever measurement is used, this hailstorm will
literally pulverize everything in sight.
21b and men blasphemed God because of the plague of
the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
In spite of this plague, the inhabitants of earth
continue to blaspheme God. Stoning was the Old
Testament punishment for one who committed
blasphemy! (Leviticus 24: 16) God’s judgment of hail
was fair and just for these unrepenting people.