Revelation 16

Revelation 16 describes the pouring out of the seven bowls of God's wrath upon the earth. These bowls represent the final judgments on a rebellious world before the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. The judgments are catastrophic and reflect God's righteous anger against sin and those who have rejected His grace.

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.”

The voice from the temple, likely God’s, commands the seven angels to begin pouring out the bowls of judgment on the earth. This marks the beginning of a series of divine judgments that will affect various aspects of creation and humanity. These judgments are the culmination of God's wrath, aimed at those who have persistently rejected His grace. The fact that the command comes from the temple emphasizes the holiness and righteousness of these actions.

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 first bowl is poured out on the earth, and it brings a painful and repulsive sore upon those who have accepted the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. These sores symbolize the physical and spiritual corruption of those who aligned themselves with the Antichrist. This judgment targets those who chose to reject God and embrace evil, showing the direct consequences of their allegiance.

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.

The second bowl is poured on the sea, turning it to blood, causing the death of all marine life. This judgment parallels the plague in Egypt where the Nile was turned to blood. The blood represents death, and the sea, which was a source of life and commerce, becomes a scene of devastation. This judgment highlights the severity of God's wrath, as even nature is affected by the rebellion of humanity.

Revelation 16:4-5 (NKJV)
Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 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.”

The third bowl affects the freshwater sources, turning them into blood, similar to the sea. This judgment impacts humanity's drinking water, signifying that even their most basic needs are now corrupted. The angel declares the righteousness of God in these judgments, affirming that God’s actions are just and deserved. God’s eternal nature is emphasized, reminding us that His justice transcends time.

Revelation 16:6-7 (NKJV)
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.”

This judgment is specifically in response to the persecution and martyrdom of God’s people by the wicked. They have shed innocent blood, and now they are given blood to drink as their punishment. The altar, a place associated with sacrifice and atonement, affirms that God’s judgments are true and righteous. This emphasizes the principle of divine retribution—what they have sown, they now reap.

Revelation 16:8-9 (NKJV)
Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 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 fourth bowl affects the sun, causing it to burn people with intense heat. Instead of repenting, those who suffer blaspheme God. This shows the hardness of their hearts, even in the face of extreme suffering. The judgment is meant to lead them to repentance, but instead, they continue in their rebellion. This underscores the depth of human sinfulness and resistance to God's mercy.

Revelation 16:10-11 (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. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

The fifth bowl brings darkness to the kingdom of the beast, a fitting judgment for the kingdom of evil. The darkness is both physical and spiritual, causing great anguish. Yet, even in their suffering, the people do not repent but instead blaspheme God. This highlights the stubbornness of those aligned with the beast, who continue to reject God even as His judgments reveal their futility.

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.

The drying of the Euphrates River prepares the way for the kings of the east to gather for the final battle. This judgment clears the path for the forces that will oppose God in the Battle of Armageddon. The drying of the river signals the coming climax of God's judgments and sets the stage for the ultimate confrontation between good and evil.

Revelation 16:13-14 (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. 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.

The unclean spirits are demonic forces that come from the dragon (Satan), the beast (Antichrist), and the false prophet. These spirits perform signs to deceive the rulers of the earth and gather them for the final battle against God. This shows the ongoing spiritual deception that continues until the very end, as Satan and his forces prepare for a final, doomed rebellion against God.

Revelation 16:15 (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.”

Jesus interrupts the narrative to give a warning to His people. He will return unexpectedly, like a thief, so His followers must remain spiritually alert and ready. Keeping one's garments refers to being clothed in righteousness, living faithfully, and not being caught in sin or unprepared for His coming. This call to vigilance is a reminder that even in the midst of judgment, believers must remain steadfast in their faith.

Revelation 16:16 (NKJV)
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

Armageddon is the place where the final battle between God and the forces of evil will take place. This is the culmination of all the demonic deceptions and rebellions, as the forces of the world gather to fight against God. Armageddon represents the ultimate confrontation between good and evil, which will result in God's final victory.

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!”

The seventh and final bowl is poured into the air, symbolizing the judgment reaching its completion. The declaration, "It is done," marks the end of God’s wrath being poured out. This statement echoes Christ’s words on the cross, signaling the completion of God’s plan for judgment and redemption. The pouring out of the seventh bowl brings an end to the judgments and prepares for the final events leading to the establishment of God's kingdom.

Revelation 16:18-19 (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. 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.

The pouring of the final bowl is accompanied by cosmic disturbances—thunder, lightning, and the greatest earthquake in history. This earthquake causes widespread devastation, including the destruction of cities and the splitting of "the great city" into three parts. Babylon, representing the system of rebellion against God, is remembered for judgment. God’s wrath is poured out in full measure, signaling the collapse of the world's sinful systems.

Revelation 16:20-21 (NKJV)
Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 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 final judgment brings even greater cosmic upheaval, as islands disappear, mountains crumble, and massive hailstones fall from the sky. The scale of destruction is unprecedented, but even in the face of such overwhelming judgment, people continue to blaspheme God rather than repent. This highlights the tragic state of humanity's rebellion, even at the very end, as they refuse to acknowledge God's sovereignty.