Chapter Sixteen

Following the vision of chapter 15, the action of section five of the book of Revelation picks up with the pouring out of seven bowls or cups.

In chapter eight we viewed the sounding of the first four trumpets against the earth, the sea, the fresh waters and the heavens. The sounding of the fifth trumpet, also identified as the first woe, announced in chapter nine deception and destruction which originated in the kingdom of the angel of the abyss, Satan. The latter half of that chapter presented the sixth trumpet and second woe: war and three plagues. The final trumpet and last woe announced the victory of God and His servants, which would come to pass with the pouring out of the bowls.

Remember that the trumpets were limited. Their purpose was to warn, with the hope of causing sinners to repent. The bowls are another story. They are poured out in full measure. The trumpets announced what the seals had revealed, which was what would be poured out from the bowls. So it would not surprise us to find some parallels between the groups.

Revelation 16:2 presents the pouring out of the first bowl upon the earth. This is what was announced by the first trumpet. Notice that the punishment is limited to those who have worshipped the beast.

Verse three tells of the pouring out of the second bowl upon the sea. This is what was announced by the second trumpet. While the effect of the trumpet blast was limited, the pouring out of the bowl kills every living thing in the sea.

The third bowl, poured out in verses 4-7, turns all the fresh waters to blood. This corresponds to the third trumpet.

Verses 8-9 describe the pouring out of the fourth bowl upon the sun. The fourth trumpet was sounded against the heavenly bodies. According to verse 9, those who oppose God refuse to repent even in the face of God's judgment.

The fifth trumpet announced deception and destruction coming from the kingdom of Satan. The fifth bowl is poured out against that kingdom. The followers of Satan still refuse to repent.

The sixth trumpet spoke of war and three plagues. The sixth bowl is poured out against those who attempt a war against God, including three unclean spirits like frogs.

We have pointed out before that rivers symbolize groups of people, sometimes in the form of great armies. They are said to overflow their banks as they sweep across other nations. What then does a dried-up river represent? Does a dried-up river have the power to sweep away nations? Did a dried-up river stop the Israelites on their way out of Egypt? Did another dried-up river stop them on their journey into the promised land? Did a dried up river stop Elijah on his trip to meet the fiery chariot, or Elisha on his return (2 Kings 2)?

Take a look at Isaiah 11:1-16 and see what language God chooses to describe His deliverance of the believer. The Christians who first read Revelation were very familiar with the prophecy of Isaiah, so the picture given in Revelation 16:12 provides them with great encouragement.

The kings from the rising of the sun are not coming to help the dragon and his allies. They are coming to defeat them. Revelation 7:2 tells who comes from the direction of the rising sun and who they represent.

Verse 16 states that the enemies of God are gathered in a place called Har-Magedon.

Notice first of all that there is no war or even a battle. The army is simply gathered. The same will be true in chapter 19 when this gathering is mentioned again.

Har-Magedon or Armageddon is the mound of Megiddo. The meaning of this battle place was very clear to all Jews, as it should be to anyone who has studied the Old Testament.

Sisera was the commander of the great army of Jabin, king of Canaan. As we read in Judges chapter four, he brought against Israel an army that was too powerful for any force on earth. But God routed this giant military force and destroyed the enemy. This pseudo-battle took place at Megiddo. Forever after, Megiddo stood for God's deliverance from a seemingly insurmountable foe.

The seventh bowl is poured out, and God's wrath against the enemy is completed. The great city, in this case Rome, is split into three parts. Three is heavenly completion, and her destruction is total.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."