The Seven BowlsThe Seven Bowls

Rev 15:5-16:21Rev 15:5-16:21

A.A. Introduction of the Dragon (Rev. 12)Introduction of the Dragon (Rev. 12)

B.B. Introduction of the Beast (Rev. 13:1-10)Introduction of the Beast (Rev. 13:1-10)

C.C. Introduction of the False Prophet Introduction of the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18)(Rev. 13:11-18)

C’.C’. Destruction of the False Prophet Destruction of the False Prophet (16:14)(16:14)

B’.B’. Destruction of the Beast (19:19)Destruction of the Beast (19:19)A’.A’. Destruction of the Dragon (20:8)Destruction of the Dragon (20:8)

Rev 15:5-8Rev 15:5-8 Verses 5-8 occur in the context of the temple. Verses 5-8 occur in the context of the temple. V. 5 is an expansion of the seven angels that we V. 5 is an expansion of the seven angels that we

saw in verse one. saw in verse one. The testimony that is mentioned in verse 5 is the The testimony that is mentioned in verse 5 is the

Ten Commandments which Moses placed in the Ten Commandments which Moses placed in the ark.ark.

V. 6 There is only one place in Greek or Hebrew V. 6 There is only one place in Greek or Hebrew outside of Revelation where “seven plagues” outside of Revelation where “seven plagues” occurs (Lev. 26:21). The context of Leviticus is occurs (Lev. 26:21). The context of Leviticus is concerned with idolatry and it is repeated four concerned with idolatry and it is repeated four times that God will judge the people for their times that God will judge the people for their unfaithfulness (Lev. 26:18, 21, 24, 28). unfaithfulness (Lev. 26:18, 21, 24, 28).

V. 7 Because the altar and the bowls are V. 7 Because the altar and the bowls are mentioned in such conjunction it appears mentioned in such conjunction it appears that the judgments are the answer of God that the judgments are the answer of God to the prayers of the saints (8:3-5; cf. 6:9-to the prayers of the saints (8:3-5; cf. 6:9-11). 11).

Trumpet 1:Trumpet 1: Hail, fire, and blood Hail, fire, and blood fall on the earth, on third of which fall on the earth, on third of which is burned up (Exod. 9:22ff.) is burned up (Exod. 9:22ff.)

Bowl 1:Bowl 1: A bowl is poured on the earth. A bowl is poured on the earth. Sores come on those who have the Sores come on those who have the mark of the beast. mark of the beast.

Trumpet 2Trumpet 2: A blazing mountain : A blazing mountain falls into the sea. One third of the falls into the sea. One third of the sea becomes blood, and a third of sea becomes blood, and a third of the creatures in it die and a third of the creatures in it die and a third of the ships are destroyed. (Exod. the ships are destroyed. (Exod. 7:17ff.) 7:17ff.)

Bowl 2:Bowl 2: A bowl is poured on the seas, A bowl is poured on the seas, which become blood, and every living which become blood, and every living thing in them dies. thing in them dies.

Trumpet 3:Trumpet 3: A blazing star A blazing star (wormwood) falls on a third of the (wormwood) falls on a third of the rivers and fountains; their waters rivers and fountains; their waters are poisoned and many die. are poisoned and many die. (Exod 7:17ff) (Exod 7:17ff)

Bowl 3:Bowl 3: A bowl is poured on rivers A bowl is poured on rivers and fountains and they become blood and fountains and they become blood

Trumpet 4Trumpet 4: A third of sun, moon : A third of sun, moon and stars are struck, and darkness and stars are struck, and darkness results for a third of a night and results for a third of a night and day. (Exod. 10:21ff) day. (Exod. 10:21ff)

Bowl 4:Bowl 4: A bowl is poured on the sun, A bowl is poured on the sun, which scorches people with fire. which scorches people with fire.

Trumpet 5:Trumpet 5: the shaft of the pit is the shaft of the pit is opened. Sun and air are darkened opened. Sun and air are darkened with smoke from which locusts with smoke from which locusts emerge to torment people without emerge to torment people without the seal of God. (Exod. 10:4ff) the seal of God. (Exod. 10:4ff)

Bowl 5:Bowl 5: A bowl is poured on the A bowl is poured on the throne of the beast. His kingdom throne of the beast. His kingdom is darkened and people are in is darkened and people are in anguish. anguish.

Trumpet 6:Trumpet 6: Four angel bound at Four angel bound at the river Euphrates are released, the river Euphrates are released, with their cavalry of two hundred with their cavalry of two hundred million, which kills a third of million, which kills a third of humanity. (Exod. 8:2ff) humanity. (Exod. 8:2ff)

Bowl 6:Bowl 6: A bowl is poured on the A bowl is poured on the Euphrates, which dries up for Euphrates, which dries up for kings from the east. Demonic kings from the east. Demonic frogs deceive the kings of the frogs deceive the kings of the world to assemble for battle at world to assemble for battle at Armageddon. Armageddon.

Trumpet 7:Trumpet 7: Loud voices in heaven Loud voices in heaven announce the coming of the announce the coming of the kingdom of God and of Christ: kingdom of God and of Christ: Lightning, thunder, earthquake, Lightning, thunder, earthquake, and hail occur. (Exod. 9:22ff; and hail occur. (Exod. 9:22ff; 19:16-19)19:16-19)

Bowl 7:Bowl 7: A bowl is poured into the A bowl is poured into the air, and a loud voice from God’s air, and a loud voice from God’s throne announces “It is done.” throne announces “It is done.” Lighting, thunder, and an Lighting, thunder, and an unprecedented earthquake occur, unprecedented earthquake occur, and terrible hail falls. and terrible hail falls.

The trumpets and the bowls present the The trumpets and the bowls present the plagues in the exact same order: (1) earth, plagues in the exact same order: (1) earth, (2) the sea, (3) rivers, (4) the sun, (5) (2) the sea, (3) rivers, (4) the sun, (5) sphere of wickedness and darkness, (6) sphere of wickedness and darkness, (6) the Euphrates, and (7) the world with the the Euphrates, and (7) the world with the final judgment (note the same imagery of final judgment (note the same imagery of lightning, sounds, thunders, earthquake lightning, sounds, thunders, earthquake and great hail). and great hail).

Both the trumpets and the bowls are Both the trumpets and the bowls are modeled on the exodus plagues. modeled on the exodus plagues.

Rev 16:1Rev 16:1

““The pouring out of a bowl by each angel The pouring out of a bowl by each angel is certainly not literal but a metaphorical is certainly not literal but a metaphorical representation of the execution of each representation of the execution of each divine judgment from heaven (cf. divine judgment from heaven (cf. MidrMidr. . Pss. 104.3)” Pss. 104.3)”

Rev 16:2Rev 16:2

““The bowl’s effect is based on the literal The bowl’s effect is based on the literal Egyptian plague of boils (Exod. 9:9-11), Egyptian plague of boils (Exod. 9:9-11), which is summarized in Deut. 28:27, 35 as which is summarized in Deut. 28:27, 35 as an ‘evil sore’…”an ‘evil sore’…”

Rev 16:3Rev 16:3

The second plague resembles the plague The second plague resembles the plague of blood in Exodus 7:14-24, and it is of blood in Exodus 7:14-24, and it is parallel to the second trumpet (8:8-9). The parallel to the second trumpet (8:8-9). The main difference between the trumpet and main difference between the trumpet and the bowl is that of its affect: the trumpet is the bowl is that of its affect: the trumpet is partial (one third) and the bowl is partial (one third) and the bowl is universal. universal.

This plague could represent famine This plague could represent famine conditions.conditions.

Rev 16:4-7Rev 16:4-7

The third bowl pictures the economic The third bowl pictures the economic punishment of the persecutors of God’s punishment of the persecutors of God’s people. Furthermore, it is parallel with the people. Furthermore, it is parallel with the third trumpet because both are to have an third trumpet because both are to have an effect on the rivers and the springs of effect on the rivers and the springs of water (cf. the plague on the Nile Exod. water (cf. the plague on the Nile Exod. 7:17-21; Ps. 78:44). 7:17-21; Ps. 78:44).

Rev 16:8-9Rev 16:8-9

In the pouring out of the fourth bowl, God In the pouring out of the fourth bowl, God punishes the ungodly because they punishes the ungodly because they practice idolatry. practice idolatry.

This fire as it were consumes the earthly This fire as it were consumes the earthly security that the earth dwellers have put security that the earth dwellers have put their hope. their hope.

Rev 16:10-11Rev 16:10-11

This plague is much like the plague of This plague is much like the plague of darkness in the Exodus account (Exod. darkness in the Exodus account (Exod. 10:21-23). It is unleashed and emptied on 10:21-23). It is unleashed and emptied on the throne of the beast; that is, over the the throne of the beast; that is, over the sovereign ability of the beast’s realm. sovereign ability of the beast’s realm.

This radically affects the beast’s ability to This radically affects the beast’s ability to rule his domain. rule his domain.

Rev 6:12-16Rev 6:12-16

The sixth plague illustrates the preparations for the final The sixth plague illustrates the preparations for the final battle; God gathers together the forces that are opposed battle; God gathers together the forces that are opposed to him and he punishes them decisively at the end of the to him and he punishes them decisively at the end of the age. age.

God judged Babylon by raising up Cyrus and his princes God judged Babylon by raising up Cyrus and his princes who came from the east (Isa. 41:2). Furthermore the who came from the east (Isa. 41:2). Furthermore the kings coming from the Euphrates is much like the OT kings coming from the Euphrates is much like the OT prophecy that God will bring a kingdom to judge his sinful prophecy that God will bring a kingdom to judge his sinful nation of Israel.nation of Israel.

Verse 12 summarized the content of the sixth bowl, and Verse 12 summarized the content of the sixth bowl, and verses 13-16 illustrate in more detail the substance of verses 13-16 illustrate in more detail the substance of the bowl. the bowl.

False ProphetFalse Prophet

““Elsewhere in the NT the ‘false prophet’ Elsewhere in the NT the ‘false prophet’ without exception speaks falsehood without exception speaks falsehood within within the covenant community of Israel or the the covenant community of Israel or the churchchurch in order to deceive (Matt. 7:15; in order to deceive (Matt. 7:15; 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 4:1)” (Beale, 13:6; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 4:1)” (Beale, RevelationRevelation, 831)., 831).

V. 14V. 14

The frog plague in Egypt was partly a The frog plague in Egypt was partly a polemic against Heqt, the goddess of polemic against Heqt, the goddess of resurrection, represented by a frog. The resurrection, represented by a frog. The deceptive activity is appropriately deceptive activity is appropriately portrayed as froglike, since the evil portrayed as froglike, since the evil triumvirate are attempting to deceive triumvirate are attempting to deceive people about the purported fact of the people about the purported fact of the beast’s resurrection beast’s resurrection

Purpose of demonic activityPurpose of demonic activity

““to gather them together for the war of the to gather them together for the war of the great day of God Almighty.” (16:14; 19:19; great day of God Almighty.” (16:14; 19:19; 20:8) 20:8)

““The nations are deceived into thinking The nations are deceived into thinking that they are gathering to exterminate the that they are gathering to exterminate the saints, but they are gathered together saints, but they are gathered together ultimately by God only in order to meet ultimately by God only in order to meet their own judgment at the hands of Jesus their own judgment at the hands of Jesus (19:11-21)” (Beale, (19:11-21)” (Beale, RevelationRevelation, 835)., 835).

V. 15V. 15

This verse is a parenthesis or a This verse is a parenthesis or a parenthetical exhortation to believers. The parenthetical exhortation to believers. The voice tells Christians to be always ready voice tells Christians to be always ready since the coming of the Lord is like a thief since the coming of the Lord is like a thief in the night. in the night.

V. 16V. 16

the demonic forces gathering the kings of the the demonic forces gathering the kings of the earth together at the place known as earth together at the place known as Armageddon. The final outcome of this war is Armageddon. The final outcome of this war is described in detail several places in Revelation described in detail several places in Revelation (17:14; 19:14-21; and 20:7-10). (17:14; 19:14-21; and 20:7-10).

It is important to note that just as “Babylon” and It is important to note that just as “Babylon” and the “Euphrates” are not literal in nature, neither the “Euphrates” are not literal in nature, neither is the place known as “Armageddon.” is the place known as “Armageddon.” Armageddon is not then a small field in the Armageddon is not then a small field in the region close to Megiddo in Israel; rather, it is region close to Megiddo in Israel; rather, it is symbolic for the whole world. symbolic for the whole world.

The Seventh Bowl:The Seventh Bowl:

The Final Judgment 16:17-21The Final Judgment 16:17-21

The seventh bowl brings the larger cycle The seventh bowl brings the larger cycle of judgment to an end, and as with the of judgment to an end, and as with the others this one ends with the second others this one ends with the second coming of Christ. coming of Christ.

V. 17V. 17

The bowl is poured out on the air in a The bowl is poured out on the air in a similar way that the exodus plague of hail similar way that the exodus plague of hail was poured out on the air (Exod. 9:22-34). was poured out on the air (Exod. 9:22-34).

The statement “it is done” is a converse of The statement “it is done” is a converse of Christ’s statement on the cross, “it is Christ’s statement on the cross, “it is finished”.finished”.

Notice also 21:3-6 where a great voice Notice also 21:3-6 where a great voice announces “it is done” after judgment is announces “it is done” after judgment is excuted. excuted.

V. 18V. 18

““Lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, Lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a severe earthquake” are all imagery and a severe earthquake” are all imagery associated with the last judgment of God. associated with the last judgment of God. This was the same imagery used in This was the same imagery used in Exodus at mount Sinai (cf. the descriptions Exodus at mount Sinai (cf. the descriptions of judgment in 6:12). of judgment in 6:12).

Great earthquake (6:12; 8:5; 16:18 )Great earthquake (6:12; 8:5; 16:18 )

V. 19V. 19

The effect of the earthquake is seen in The effect of the earthquake is seen in verse 19. The OT expected a final end-verse 19. The OT expected a final end-time catastrophic earthquake that would time catastrophic earthquake that would accompany the appearance of God in accompany the appearance of God in Judgment (Hag. 2:6; Zech. 14:4; Heb Judgment (Hag. 2:6; Zech. 14:4; Heb 12:26-27). Moreover, the object of this 12:26-27). Moreover, the object of this earthquake is “the Great city and the cities earthquake is “the Great city and the cities of the nations.” of the nations.”

v. 20v. 20

““The removal of all islands and mountains The removal of all islands and mountains in 16:20 corresponds to the final shaking in 16:20 corresponds to the final shaking of the earth in 6:14 and 20:11 (cf. Heb of the earth in 6:14 and 20:11 (cf. Heb 12:26-27). Elsewhere, the fall of Babylon 12:26-27). Elsewhere, the fall of Babylon is immediately followed by the marriage is immediately followed by the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:1-10). In 17:14-supper of the Lamb (19:1-10). In 17:14-17, the fall of Babylon is immediately 17, the fall of Babylon is immediately associated with the final battle, which associated with the final battle, which takes place at the second coming (19:11-takes place at the second coming (19:11-21).” Poythress 21).” Poythress

V. 21V. 21

The huge hailstones complete the series The huge hailstones complete the series of plagues (Exod. 9:19-35) that fall upon of plagues (Exod. 9:19-35) that fall upon the unfaithful who do not believe and the unfaithful who do not believe and overcome. Unlike the exodus, this plague overcome. Unlike the exodus, this plague has a worldwide scope. Not just one has a worldwide scope. Not just one nation is in mind, but all nations who are nation is in mind, but all nations who are opposed to God.opposed to God.