THE VIALS OF GOD’S WRATH POURED OUT ON THE EARTH
Revelation 16

Chronologically close to the Second Coming of Christ. Judgments proceed with rapid succession.

Time of world wax, rapidly coming to the climax (see Daniel 11:36-45).

FIRST BOWL (v1-2). Poured out on the earth. Judgments are greater and more severe than preceding events.

Question: Are Trumpets and Bowls synonymous, identical or are the Bowls subsequent to the Trumpet judgments?

There is much similarity:

1. Earth (8:7) – Land (16:2).

2.

Sea (8:8 & 16 3) Rivers, Springs (8:10 &16:4). Sun, moon and stars (8:12). Only sun mentioned in 16:8-9. 5th Trumpet – demon possession, sun and sky dark (9:1-3), which is similar to 5th Bowl – darkness on earth, agony from sores among men (16:10-11). 6tth Bowl – dry up Euphrates (16:12). 7th Trumpet implies Great Tribulation is at an end (11:15-19). 7th Bowl – loud voice, “It is done!” (16:17). Resulting destruction of the earth by earthquake and hail as in 7th Trumpet (11:18-19) – (cf. 16:18-21).

Yet there are striking differences, even though the order is the same.

The Trumpets tell us that 1/3rd of the earth is afflicted. In the Bowl judgments the entire earth is afflicted and are much more severe and final in character. It is right to interpret that the Bowl judgments come out of the 7th Trumpet judgment. The Bowl judgments are more intensive and extensive as the Second Coming of Christ approaches. The world is reeling under previous judgments and gigantic world war. The Bowl judgments are selective and only extend to the wicked. (16:2, 8-11). Several affect nature. Beast followers receive sores in the 1st Bowl and 5th Bowl (v10-11).

SECOND BOWL (v3) – Poured out on the sea. Blood appearance as in 2nd Trumpet. So in the plague in Egypt (Exodus 7:20-25). Terrible judgment, worldwide.

THIRD BOWL (v4-7). Poured out on rivers and springs which became blood – judgment because the blood of martyrs was shed. God is just (see 15:3).

FOURTH BOWL (v8-9). Great heat from the sun scorches men, who blasphemed the name of God, unrepentant.

FIFTH BOWL (v10-11). Poured out on the throne of the Beast. His kingdom full of darkness, full of sores and in great pain. Men continued to blaspheme God, unrepentant. This is the last reference to failure to repent (cf. 2:21; 9:221; 16:9. 16:21 – blasphemy because of plague of hail.)

SIXTH BOWL (v12-16). Euphrates dried up. LITERALLY, for preparation of the mobility of the kings of the East (Orient). In that area is the greatest population and military might. Euphrates is the water boundary between Israel and Asia. in the East. Predicted in Isaiah 11:15.

FROGS = DEMONS. Satanic purpose to combat Christ’s Second Coming with His armies from heaven (chapter 19). “Battle” inferred in v14, Armageddon, is better translated “war” from the Gk. ‘polemon’ – the “war of Armageddon”. The word “campaign” is well suggested here. Greek is Harmagedon. ‘Har’ means mount, total meaning is mount of Megiddo.

John heard Christ. READ verse 15. Warning – stay alert, Tribulation Believers! Anticipate His return – have Christ’s Righteousness as your dress! Sixth bowl judgment prepares for the FINAL ACT and is the later stage of development related to the Euphrates in 9:14. The time factor between the 6th Trumpet and the 6th Bowl is comparatively short.

SEVENTH BOWL (v17-21). Voice out of heaven’s Temple – ‘it is done!’. Similarly the 7th Trumpet (11:15-19). Greatest earthquake of all time. Other earthquakes in 8:5 & 11:19. The whole earth, perhaps not Israel affected. Whole cities reduced to rubble. Destruction of what is left of the world empire. The city is Babylon (in verse 19). Perhaps Babylon literally on the Euphrates, the capital of world government. Perhaps it could be Rome. Topographical changes (v20), may include Israel here.

v21. 100 lb. weight. Hailstones destroy anything left standing. Still people curse God.

The stage is set for the Second Commit of Christ. Before that dramatic future incident comes, there is there is the detailed destruction of Babylon in chapters 17 & 18.

Babylon opposed Israel and the true Church faith through history, in every realm of life.

Chapters 17 & 18 are not chronological within the scheme of Seals, Trumpets and Bowls of God’s wrath (chapter 17) shows the climax of world religion. It fits the first half of the Great Tribulation. The destruction of Babylon by 10 kings (v16). Chapter 18 shows Babylon as the political power, a great city, time seat of great world empire dominating the second half of the Great Tribulation. Babylon is mentioned 300 times in the Bible. It is viewed as the Satanic religious programme opposing true worship of God. The End Times bring religious and political power together and indicate God’s final judgment upon it.