Revelation 6 tells of the seven seals that will be broken. These broken seals will release the four horses which are the Antichrist, war and bloodshed, famine, pestilence and death. The remaining broken seals will produce cries for judgment from the martyrs under the altar, and a great earthquake. The last seal will result in thirty minutes of silence in Heaven followed by the golden bowl of incense mixed with fire that will be hurled to the Earth.
That seventh seal will usher in the seven trumpets. Those will include hail and fire mixed with blood, a mountain being thrown into the sea turning a third of it into blood. Then a star named Wormwood will fall turning a third of the fresh waters bitter. Next, a third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened. The fifth trumpet is when the Abyss will be unlocked and the creepy locusts will be released. They will be allowed to torture unbelievers for five months. This is when those tortured will seek death but won’t be able to die. The four demonic angels will be released when the sixth trumpet is sounded. They will kill one-third of mankind by fire, smoke, and sulfur. When the seventh trumpet blows, God’s temple in Heaven is opened revealing the Ark of the Covenant. This is followed by lightning, rumblings, thunder, an earthquake, and a severe hailstorm.
Remember our analogy concerning the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls. It’s an illustration of “a telescope comprising three sections, the outer or larger section containing the inner two. Out of the larger section (the seals) issues the second or middle section (the trumpets), and out of the second section issues the inner section (the vials) [bowls].[i]
Revelation 15 reveals that last section of the telescope.
Revelation 15:1 ERV “15 Then I saw another wonder in heaven. It was great and amazing. There were seven angels bringing seven plagues. These are the last plagues, because after these, God’s anger is finished.
2 I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. All those who had won the victory over the beast and his idol and over the number of its name were standing by the sea. These people had harps that God had given them. 3 They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and wonderful are the things you do,
Lord God All-Powerful.
Right and true are your ways,
Ruler of the nations.
4 All people will fear you, O Lord.
All people will praise your name.
Only you are holy.
All people will come and worship before you,
because it is clear that you do what is right.”
5 After this I saw the temple, the holy place of God’s presence, in heaven. It was opened, 6 and the seven angels bringing the seven plagues came out. They were dressed in clean, shining linen cloth. They wore golden bands tied around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living beings gave seven golden bowls to the seven angels. The bowls were filled with the anger of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory and the power of God. No one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.”
Verse 1 indicates that once these seven plagues are distributed, God’s anger is finished. All of the remaining Old Testament prophecies are about to be fulfilled.
Throughout this study, we’ve come to see a side of God we’re not used to experiencing. We’re comfortable with the loving, gracious, merciful, and patient nature of God. But the wrathful side of God makes us a bit uneasy. However, Revelation gives us the full picture of His character and it’s only by seeing the full picture that we comprehend the depths of His love.
Proverbs 13:24 GNT “If you don’t punish your children, you don’t love them. If you do love them, you will correct them.”
The seals, the trumpets, and now the bowls have dual purposes. They aren’t just for purposes of judgment and punishment. They also serve as tools of mercy! These are intended to serve as wake-up calls to the inhabitants of the Earth whose hearts have been poisoned and hardened by sin. With the bowls, God is nearly through with His mercies. There will come a time when no more mercy is shown, and the consequences will be eternal.
John sees tribulation saints gathered around what appears to be something like a sea of glass with fire mixed in. John saw something like a sea of glass around the throne in Revelation 4; but this vision has fire added to it. “Being mingled with fire, judgment is suggested, ‘for our God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29).[ii]
The saints that he sees are those who have died during the Tribulation period. We know this because John describes them as having won the victory over the beast, his idol, and over the mark of the beast. They didn’t escape persecution. They will be killed by the Antichrist, but their death ushers them right into the presence of God making them victors.
They are given harps to celebrate and worship. And we are told they sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. They sing “A song of thanksgiving and praise, such as Moses taught the Hebrew people to sing after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage.”[iii] Their song is all about the works of God, the ways of God, and the worthiness of God. These people have been through some horrific events during the Tribulation period. The earthquakes, the water turning to blood, the hail mixed with fire, the tormenting locusts, etc. But they didn’t take the easy route. They didn’t take the mark of the beast to save themselves. They united with God for Him to save them. They paid with their lives, but that’s not what they’re focused on. They’re only seeing God Who has done great things and is worthy of all praise. They stand ready to celebrate and to worship Him! Oh if only we would do the same and focus on His greatness and His abundance of mercy instead of what we think we’re missing or what’s not quite right in our lives!
After the song of praise, “The seven angels emerge from the heavenly temple (see Rev. 11:19) because their work is holy as are the judgments they bring. The angels’ clothing reminds us of the priestly garments, for their service is a divine ministry.”[iv]
One of the 4 living creatures entrusted with God’s wrath contained in seven golden bowls. “The seven bowls are full of God’s wrath. He is said in this verse to live forever. He will live far beyond the brief reign of the beast, and the fallen world, and sin. Just as God expressed to Moses through the burning bush, He simply “is” and always will be (Exodus 3:14).”[v]
Verse 8 tells us that no one is permitted to enter the temple until the plagues are finished. This is like what took place in Exodus 40 when the tent of meeting was filled with the glory of God and Moses wasn’t able to enter the tent because of the cloud of God’s presence.
“Similarly, when Solomon dedicated the temple, “fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house” (2 Chronicles 7:1–2).”[vi]
Here in Revelation, the difference is the smoke. You may recall that in Exodus, smoke covered Mt. Sinai because God descended on it in fire. This is when the Ten Commandments were given. “The law pronounced judgment upon all who failed to obey its demands (Exodus 19:18).”[vii]
Revelation 16:1 ERV “16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple. It said to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God’s anger on the earth.
2 The first angel left. He poured out his bowl on the land. Then all those who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its idol got sores that were ugly and painful.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea. Then the sea became blood like a dead man’s blood. And everything living in the sea died.
4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water. The rivers and the springs of water became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel of the waters say to God,
“You are the one who is and who always was.
You are the Holy One.
You are right in these judgments you have made.
6 The people have spilled the blood
of your holy people and your prophets.
Now you have given those people blood to drink.
This is what they deserve.”
7 And I heard the altar say,
“Yes, Lord God All-Powerful,
your judgments are true and right.”
The first thing to notice is that the voice comes from the temple. Since no one is allowed in the temple until the plagues have been poured, it’s safe to assume this is God speaking. The second interesting point is that all seven angels are told to pour out their bowls which seems to indicate that these plagues will happen in rapid order. There doesn’t seem to be a reprieve or break between them.
Just like with the seals and the trumpets, each bowl is unique.
He addresses the first two commandments right away. Remember the first two?
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God. (Exodus 20:3 NET)
The first bowl pours out ugly and painful sores on those who worship the Antichrist, those who have put someone else before God. Not only will these people have the mark of the beast, but they’ll be covered in boils or blisters of some kind. This affliction is very similar to the sixth plague that struck Egypt. Most, if not all of these people are not going to be pleasant or easy to get along with. First of all, they are Satan worshippers. Secondly, they’ll be covered in these malignant sores. These physical afflictions are going to have a dramatic effect on relationships and on society.
And then the second bowl will be poured out. The oceans will become like the blood of a dead man. This is comparable to the second trumpet; however, that resulted in just 1/3 of the oceans and marine life being affected. This time, all ocean water will be tainted and everything living in the waters will die. The ramifications of this will involve imports and exports, and the seafood industry among other industries that rely on the ocean. This will totally eliminate a major food source for many. Not to mention the disastrous biological side effects. The stench will be horrible. And you may remember when we discussed chapter 8 of Revelation that 72% of our oxygen resource comes from plant life in the ocean.[viii] The result will be many more deaths.
Quickly following the second bowl is the third bowl in which the rest of the earth’s water sources are contaminated. This is an intensification of the third trumpet in which 1/3 of the earth’s rivers and streams were affected. Now, it’s all rivers and streams. This will be the drinking water, the bathing water, and water for the plants and trees that are left. This will be catastrophic.
Warren W. Wiersbe says, “Heaven gives justification for this terrible judgment. The earth-dwellers have shed the blood of God’s people, so it is only right that they should drink blood. In God’s government, the punishment fits the crime. Pharaoh tried to drown the Jewish boy babies, but it was his own army that eventually drowned in the Red Sea. Haman planned to hang Mordecai on the gallows and to exterminate the Jews, but he himself was hanged on the gallows, and his family was exterminated (Est. 7:10; 9:10). King Saul refused to obey God and slay the Amalekites, so he was slain by an Amalekite (2 Sam. 1:1-16).”[ix]
As these plagues of judgment intensify, we get a clearer picture of God’s mercy and intentions. Prior judgments were partial, only affecting 1/3. God was giving people fair warnings and yet many didn’t heed them. Those worshipping the Antichrist will continue to rebuke God and persecute His followers. Romans 12:19 NLT “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.” And pay them back He will.
But before another bowl of wrath is emptied, there is a praise that comes forth from an angel in charge of the waters; the very waters that have just been contaminated. The angel seems to be validating and agreeing with the wrath that has been poured out. The angel refers to God as the Holy One and speaks of His eternal existence. The angel goes on to say that God is just in the administering of these judgments. And then there’s a big “AMEN!” that comes from the altar. Remember those martyred saints from Revelation 6 when the fifth seal was opened? “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:9 NIV)
God promised vengeance and it’s now time.
Revelation 16:8 NIV “8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.”
Painful boils and sores. No usable water to drink or bathe in. The air filled with the stench of decay and death. And now, the heat of the sun intensifies to the point of searing people. Listen to the words in Malachi 4:1 GNT. “The Lord Almighty says, “The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them.”
What’s interesting is the word “allowed”. The original Greek word used here is didōmi, which indicates permission is granted. It’s very possible that the sun’s intensity isn’t changed from what it is now, but rather some protection layer (think ozone layer) might be lifted which would allow or permit the full intensity of the sun to penetrate the earth.
We complain when the temperature gets into the 90’s. Can you picture what it will be like for those living in these horrible days? Sunburns and sun poisoning will be likely life-threatening. The thirst that will be induced and there will be no water to quench it. Crops will be destroyed. Wildfires may increase. Glaciers will melt raising the sea levels which would put many major areas completely under water.
This is when you’d expect people to cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy. But instead, they curse God and refuse to repent.
The same is true when the fifth bowl of wrath is poured out and darkness consumes the kingdom of the beast. This plague is very much like that of the fifth trumpet and the ninth plague in Egypt where darkness overtakes certain areas. You see, all along, God’s been giving little tastes of warnings of what’s to come, and still, they do not repent. Now, in the final days, those who reject Him will bear witness to the full extent of His wrath! The boils from the first bowl are still tormenting the Antichrist’s followers. They are in agony to the point of gnashing their tongues and yet, their hearts are hard as stone.
This wrath concentrates on the kingdom of the beast. Does this mean Jerusalem where his image is located in the temple? Or will he have set up headquarters in Rome? Who knows? But we can assume that darkness enveloping the Antichrist’s kingdom will be a humiliating blow. “If this is a literal physical loss of light, it might mean all electrical grids fail, and environmental conditions combine to create a thick, noxious darkness. Without electricity, and in the grip of natural disasters, it would be nearly impossible to use a computer, drive a car, or conduct business. TV news would be silent. Business would fail. Fear will grip people’s hearts.” But how fitting that the unholy trinity who desire and thrive in darkness will be plunged into darkness while the rest of the world has light.
We’re going to stop here for today, but before we do, take a quick look at verses 9 & 11. Those suffering do what? They curse the name of God. Would someone curse the name of someone they didn’t believe in? No, that would be pointless.
It’s my belief that there is no ignorance here, but rather defiance. It would seem that they know Who God is and what He is capable of doing. After all, the unholy trinity certainly know Who God is so why wouldn’t their followers also know of Him? And yet, they refuse to bow down and worship Him. Seems pathetic, doesn’t it?
But then there’s us. His own children who have experienced His goodness, His mercy, and His sovereignty. We’ve seen His fingerprints through the big and little moments of our lives. We’ve been recipients of His answered prayers and blessings that far exceeded our requests. We’ve felt His presence. We’ve experienced His peace. We’ve been awed by His love. And yet, we too fail to bow down and worship Him as we should. We take Him for granted. We minimize His majesty and His holiness so very often.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “The same sun which melts wax hardens clay. And the same Gospel which melts some persons to repentance hardens others in their sins” – Spurgeon
What affect does God’s Word have on you? Repentance or defiance?
[i] Revelation by Lehmann Strauss
[ii] Revelation by Lehman Strauss
[iii] Revelation 15:3 Commentaries: And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! (biblehub.com)
[iv] Be Victorious by Warren W. Wiersbe
[v] What does Revelation 15:7 mean? | BibleRef.com
[vi] What does Revelation 15:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
[vii] Revelation by Lehman Strauss
[viii] You May Be Surprised Where Most of Earth’s Oxygen Comes From (thomasnet.com)
[ix] Be Victorious by Warren W. Wiersbe
Beacons of Light 