The Book Of RevelationSample

 A Vision of Coming Events: Revelation 15:1-8, 16:1-21

The vision of the seven bowls presents seven angels that pour out seven golden bowls of God’s wrath against the wicked. This vision follows the same structure as the visions of the seals, trumpets and histories: six bowls are followed by an interlude, and then the seventh bowl is poured out. 

And there are also other parallels worth noting. For instance, like the first four trumpets, the first four bowls devastated the four major regions of the world: dry land, sea, fresh water, and sky. But while the judgments of the trumpets affected only a third of the earth, the bowls affected the entire world. 

The first bowl inflicted a plague of painful sores on all those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his name. The second bowl turned the sea to blood. The third bowl turned the fresh water of the rivers and springs to blood. And the fourth bowl created scorching heat from the sun. Despite these devastating plagues, the people cursed God and refused to repent.

The fifth bowl was poured out on the throne of the beast. From Revelation chapter 13, it seems clear that this beast is the beast from the sea, whose rule was supported by the beast from the earth. This bowl plunged the beast’s kingdom into darkness, but its followers still cursed God and refused to repent. When the sixth bowl was poured out, it dried up the Euphrates River, clearing a path for the kings from the East to invade God’s Promised Land. 

According to Revelation 16:16, a decisive battle between the kings of the East and God’s people would be fought at Armageddon or the Mount of Megiddo. In ancient Israel, Megiddo was a key city along a major trade route between the kingdoms of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Huge armies could assemble in the neighboring Jezreel Valley, or as it’s sometimes called, the Plain of Esdraelon. And God’s people had previously achieved military victories in Megiddo. So, it was a fitting symbol to describe the climactic battle between God’s servants and his enemies.

Next, John’s vision paused for an interlude in Revelation 16:15, where we read this announcement:

Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.

Recalling his letter to the church in Sardis in Revelation chapter 3, Christ exhorted his followers to remain vigilant and faithful at all times. 

After the interlude, the seventh bowl triggered the final destruction of the wicked. Thunder and lightning rained down. An earthquake shattered the cities of the nations. Islands sank. Mountains crumbled. And giant hailstones crushed humanity. This was the end of the age — the destruction of the present world that will take place when Christ returns.

The series of seven bowls completed John’s vision of coming events. The seals, trumpets, histories and bowls all demonstrated God’s commitment to intervene in history to ensure the safety and blessing of his people.