The seven plagues that are poured out of seven bowls complete the wrath of God. These plagues are reminiscent of what happened in Egypt before Israel came out of bondage in Exodus. They depict the ultimate and sovereign power of God to bring judgment on a wicked world.
Revelation 15 shows events in heaven just before these bowl judgments are executed.
Revelation 15:1 NKJV Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
Once again, John is shown a great and marvelous sign in heaven. Revelation 14, gave a preview of the battle of Armageddon. Now, John is being shown the wrath and judgment of God in greater detail. The sovereign and almighty God will execute His judgment and justice on all of the earth. As terrible as the trumpet judgments were, they did not present the complete wrath of God. What happens as a result of these last seven plagues completes God’s wrath. God is going to cleanse the earth of ungodliness and evil as He brings judgment on all evil and establishes His reign of righteousness, peace, love, joy and glory. These bowl judgments are a basic and necessary part of the cleansing of the earth of evil and the establishment of the millennial reign of Christ on earth. The slaughter of millions of believers during this period will usher in God’s wrath.
Revelation 15:2 NKJV And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
John sees the sea of glass mingled with fire that stretches out before the throne of God. When Ezekiel saw the Almighty, the throne and the glory of God, the appearance was similar to this sea of glass, (Ezekiel 1:24-28). When John first saw the throne of God, he saw this sea of glass, (4:6).
Now the sea that had been clear as glass is mingled with fire.
This is a sign of the judgment and wrath of God that is emanating from the throne of God and represents a great change that is coming. The great host beside the sea of glass is the company of believers who remained victorious over the antichrist and the mark of his name. They refused to worship and submit to the antichrist, his government, and take his mark. Whatever they endured, they remained faithful to God and have victoriously overcome. This great multitude has harps of God and they are singing and worshiping God.
Revelation 15:3 NKJV They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!”
The song of Moses celebrated God’s power to bring His people great salvation and deliverance from their great enemies, (Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32). The song of the Lamb is a celebration of what Christ our Redeemer has accomplished by redeeming His people. They sing, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!”
Revelation 15:4 NKJV Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”
This song is a testimony of God’s works, ways, power, and holiness. Notice that these martyred saints are only focused on God and His goodness. God will be praised and worshiped by all nations. The Greek word for “judgments” means “righteous acts.” God is righteous in all of His judgments and actions. The manifestation of God’s righteous judgments is a testimony of what God is about to do to Satan, the antichrist, false prophet and all of the wicked who remain on earth.
Revelation 15:5 NKJV After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
This is a link to the tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness. When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, he was told that it was according to the pattern of heavenly things, (Hebrews 8:5, 9:23). The heavenly holy of holies or “temple of the tabernacle” refers to the Most Holy Place in heaven. This most holy place of the presence of God is most likely the throne of God that is surrounded by the four living creatures, the mighty cherubim. The seven bowl judgments come directly from the most holy presence of God. This may seem out of character to some, but God in holiness and righteousness strikes out against the evil that is perpetrated against His goodness and His people.
Revelation 15:6 NKJV And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.
From God’s presence comes seven angels with the seven last plagues. These seven angels are equipped with royal authority to execute the judgment of God that will usher in His glory and reign on earth. God’s judgment, righteousness and holiness is about to be exercised on the world. Hebrews 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The wicked world that is under the sway of the devil is about to witness the holy wrath of God.
Revelation 15:7 NKJV Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.
In the presence of God, this living creature gives seven golden bowls full of God’s wrath. Seven indicates the full, complete, or perfect wrath of God. He gives the seven golden bowls to the seven angels to execute God’s wrath on the world.
Revelation 15:8 NKJV The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
In the Old Testament, when God would come down into the Tabernacle, a cloud would cover the entrance and no one could go in or come out. The smoke from the glory of God and His power, indicates no more intercession or petitions will be heard until the final judgment is completed. The access to the mercy of God is closed until His wrath is completed.
Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath
Revelation 16:1 NKJV Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”
God Himself gives the command for the final judgment. These seven bowls of God’s wrath have a greater intensity than the seven trumpet judgments. The seven trumpet judgments offered a longer duration with hope of repentance, but the seven bowls are immediate and final judgment that will end ungodliness and evil on the earth. The first four bowls bring judgment on the environment and mankind, and the last three are directed toward the antichrist and his kingdom. The language indicates a rapid pouring out of God’s wrath at the end of the tribulation.
- The first bowl is poured out upon the earth (v.2).
Revelation 16:2 NKJV So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
- The second bowl is poured out upon the sea (v.3).
Revelation 16:3 NKJV Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
This is similar to the second trumpet judgment when ⅓ of the water of the sea was turned to blood, (Revelation 8: 8-9)
- The third bowl is poured out upon fresh waters (vv.4–7).
Revelation 16:4 NKJV Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
In the third trumpet ⅓ of the fresh water was made bitter with wormwood, (Revelation 8:10-11).
Revelation 16:5-7 NKJV And I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.” And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
- The fourth bowl is poured out upon the sun (vv.8–9).
Revelation 16:8 NKJV Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.
With the fourth trumpet, ⅓ of the sun, moon and stars were darkened. The intensity of this bowl judgment is much greater than the trumpet judgment.
Revelation 16:9 NKJV And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
- The fifth bowl is poured out upon the beast’s throne or kingdom (vv.10–11).
Revelation 16:10 NKJV Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
This is physical darkness that falls on the kingdom of the antichrist, upon him and all who follow him. The darkness appears to exacerbate the suffering from the pain and sores of the previous bowl judgments.
Revelation 16:11 NKJV They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
- The sixth bowl is poured out upon the Euphrates River (vv.12–16).
The sixth bowl comes in two parts.
The first part opens a way for the kings of the east and the rage of Satan. The second part is the Lord’s announcement that He is coming as a thief to meet at Armageddon.
Revelation 16:12 NKJV Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
This is different from the sixth trumpet when four fallen angels are released and given authority over a demonic host of two-hundred-million. The drying of the river Euphrates opens up a way for the kings of the east to come with a major military threat toward Israel. Many believe these armies from the east are from China, India, Japan, and Asia.
No clear definition is given concerning these armies. These armies appear to be a parallel with the two-hundred-million demon horsemen of the sixth trumpet, (9:13-21). They gather around Israel for the battle of Armageddon.
Revelation 16:13 NKJV And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
These are demonic spirits that are sent to perform miracles to deceive the nations, leaders, and kings of the world.
Revelation 16:14 NKJV For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
These demon spirits go out from Satan, the Antichrist, and false prophet to persuade the kings of the whole world to gather for the battle of Armageddon against the second coming of Christ, (19:19).
Revelation 16:15-16 NKJV “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
In this last hour before the battle of Armageddon, the Lord gives this blessing to any believer who remains on the earth. They will be blessed if they watch and keep their garments.
What does that mean?
They have kept themselves undefiled up to this time, and they will be blessed if they persevere in this last hour. “Garments” is a picture of the righteousness of believers. The good news for them is the Lord is coming quickly as a thief. This is a warning that His return to earth is about to happen and God is going to bring the Antichrist’s kingdom to an end.
Armageddon is located in the north part of the plains of Jezreel.
The Jezreel Valley is the location of the battle of Armageddon.
The Valley of Megiddo (or Jezreel) has been the location of many battles in history.
Deborah over Sisera (Judges 5:19); Gideon over the Midianites (Judges 7); Pharaoh over Josiah (2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22). More than 200 battles have been fought in this valley from 1468 B.C. to 1917. Armageddon will be the last great war between Satan, the antichrist, and their government and the Lord Jesus Christ. Armies will gather from all nations in the battle of Armageddon. The carnage of the Battle of Armageddon is so great that blood flows like a river for 1,600 furlongs or nearly 200 miles up to a horses’ bridle.
The area covered by the battle will reach from Megiddo in the north to Petra in the south. This will be an unparalleled collection of human armies and slaughter of life.
- The seventh bowl is poured out in the air (vv.17–21).
Revelation 16:17 NKJV Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”
“It is done!” is an announcement of judgment on all of the ungodly and evil armies of the earth. By this judgment all of the evil nations will be wiped out by God’s judgment.
Revelation 16:18 NKJV And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.
Nature itself will produce the most terrifying and devastating disasters as God pours out His judgment with spectacular displays of His power and glory.
Revelation 16:19-20 NKJV Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Jerusalem will be shaken and divided into three parts. God will pour the fierceness of His wrath on Babylon the capital of the antichrist and it will be destroyed. Much of the earth as we know it will break up, and islands will be moved out of their places and mountain will disappear.
Revelation 16:21 NKJV And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
The hail stones will weigh 75 to 100 pounds each. When this happens, the people of earth will curse God because the plague is so great.
