Revelation 16:1-11

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”  So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.  The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.  The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood.  And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.  For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink.  It is what they deserve!”  And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”  The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire.  They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.  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 anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.

The bowl judgments come upon the earth in rapid succession.  One after another, the angels pour out these bowls that inflict terrible pain and destruction on the earth.  Specifically, those who have given their allegiance to the beast and the dragon.  God supernaturally protects believers from at least some of these plagues.  The Lord knows how to judge and how to protect His own in times of judgment.  

BOWL OF PAINFUL SORES: The first of the bowl judgment is a breakout of sores on the bodies of all the people who had received the mark of the beast.  Antichrist has made a clear physical distinction between believers and unbelievers, inflicting torture and depravation on all who refused to pledge allegiance to him.  The consequences of trusting in Antichrist instead of the Lord Jesus Christ are now made clear.  Job was afflicted with these kinds of sores, and it drove him to the brink.  The misery on the earth for all who rejected Christ will be palpable.

BOWL OF BLOODY SEAS: The second judgment is turning all the seas into blood.  This previously happened at the blowing of the second trumpet, but it only effected one-third of the ocean.  Now, the devastation is complete.  All the sea creatures will die in such a condition.  The stench of the rotting flesh of fish washing up on bloody shores will be intolerable.

BOWL OF BLOODY RIVERS: The third angel pours out his bowl on the rivers, lakes, streams, and springs so that all the fresh water on the earth also turns to blood.  So now those who rejected Christ have infected sores all over their bodies and the only thing they have to wash themselves with is blood.  The angel declares the righteousness and justice of God for having afflicted those who were blood thirsty for the blood of believers are now given only blood to drink.  Those gathered around the altar in heaven echo this praise of the Lord’s justice and glory.

BOWL OF SCORCHING SUN: The fourth bowl judgment is an intensifying of the heat of the sun.  It is possible that the ozone layer around the earth will be destroyed allowing for the heat of the sun to become so intense that it burns flesh.  The level of misery is intensifying with each passing plague.  Sores, dead fish everywhere, only blood to drink quench a thirst that will now only be magnified by the scorching sun.  The response of those under such intense affliction will be a refusal to glorify God and turn to him in repentance.  One would think that under such pain, the people would fall on their faces before the Lord and beg for mercy.  Instead, their hearts are hardened before the Lord.

BOWL OF UTTER DARKNESS: The fifth plague is plunging the world into utter darkness.  While this might provide a measure of relief from the scorching sun, it is likely even more devastating.  Perhaps it will be darkness with scorching heat or darkness with freezing cold.  Whichever it is, it will cause further misery.  People will gnaw on their tongues to inflict pain on themselves that will be some feeble attempt to find a distraction from pain by inflicting more pain.  Again, the Scriptures tell us that the people prefer to chew on their own tongues instead of repent before the Lord.  Their hearts are so hard that repentance is no longer an option.  There is a grave danger in turning from the Lord in disobedience and rejecting His mercy and grace.

APPLICATION: Trust in the Lord’s ability to make distinctions between His children and the rest of humanity.  Stand in awe of God’s power, might, and astounding ability to bring judgment on the earth.  Recognized God’s hatred of sin and praise Him for His grace and mercy that allowed us to repent and trust Christ so we could escape this terrible display of wrath.