Revelation16
New Living Translation
1Then I heard a mighty voice from the Temple say to the seven angels, “Go your ways and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.”
2So the first angel left the Temple and poured out his bowl on the earth, and horrible, malignant sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue.
3Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse. And everything in the sea died.
4Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs, and they became blood.
5And I heard the angel who had authority over all water saying, “You are just, O Holy One, who is and who always was, because you have sent these judgments.
6Since they shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, you have given them blood to drink. It is their just reward.”
7And I heard a voice from the altar, saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, your judgments are true and just.”
8Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, causing it to scorch everyone with its fire.
9Everyone was burned by this blast of heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over all these plagues. They did not repent of their sins and turn to God and give him glory.
10Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. His subjects ground their teeth in anguish,
11and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.
12Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance.
13And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
14They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.
15“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
16And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.
17Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple, saying, “It is finished!”
18Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck—the worst since people were placed on the earth.
19The great city of Babylon split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins, and he made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his fierce wrath.
20And every island disappeared, and all the mountains were leveled.
21There was a terrible hailstorm, and hailstones weighing as much as seventy-five pounds fell from the sky onto the people below. They cursed God because of the terrible plague of the hailstorm.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 16.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The first vial is poured out on the earth, the second on the sea, the third on the rivers and fountains. (1–7). The fourth on the sun, the fifth on the seat of the beast. (8–11). The sixth on the great river Euphrates. (12–16). And the seventh on the air, when shall follow the destruction of all antichristian enemies. (17–21).
vv1-7
We are to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Here is a succession of terrible judgments of Providence; and there seems to be an allusion to several of the plagues of Egypt. The sins were alike, and so were the punishments. The vials refer to the seven trumpets, which represented the rise of antichrist; and the fall of the enemies of the church shall bear some resemblance to their rise. All things throughout their earth, their air, their sea, their rivers, their cities, all are condemned to ruin, all accursed for the wickedness of that people. No wonder that angels, who witness or execute the Divine vengeance on the obstinate haters of God, of Christ, and of holiness, praise his justice and truth; and adore his awful judgments, when he brings upon cruel persecutors the tortures they made his saints and prophets suffer.
vv8-11
The heart of man is so desperately wicked, that the most severe miseries never will bring any to repent, without the special grace of God. Hell itself is filled with blasphemies; and those are ignorant of the history of human nature, of the Bible, and of their own hearts, who do not know that the more men suffer, and the more plainly they see the hand of God in their sufferings, the more furiously they often rage against him. Let sinners now seek repentance from Christ, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, or they will have the anguish and horror of an unhumbled, impenitent, and desperate heart; thus adding to their guilt and misery through all eternity. Darkness is opposed to wisdom and knowledge, and forebodes the confusion and folly of the idolaters and followers of the beast. It is opposed to pleasure and joy, and signifies anguish and vexation of spirit.
vv12-16
This probably shows the destruction of the Turkish power, and of idolatry, and that a way will be made for the return of the Jews. Or, take it for Rome, as mystical Babylon, the name of Babylon being put for Rome, which was meant, but was not then to be directly named. When Rome is destroyed, her river and merchandise must suffer with her. And perhaps a way will be opened for the eastern nations to come into the church of Christ. The great dragon will collect all his forces, to make one desperate struggle before all be lost. God warns of this great trial, to engage his people to prepare for it. These will be times of great temptation; therefore Christ, by his apostle, calls on his professed servants to expect his sudden coming, and to watch that they might not be put to shame, as apostates or hypocrites. However Christians differ, as to their views of the times and seasons of events yet to be brought to pass, on this one point all are agreed, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, will suddenly come again to judge the world. To those living near to Christ, it is an object of joyful hope and expectation, and delay is not desired by them.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀκούω (akoúō): to hear (in various senses)
μέγας (mégas): big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
φωνή (phōnḗ): a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
ναός (naós): a fane, shrine, temple
λέγω (légō): properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 (ἔπω) and G5346 (φημί) generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 (ῥέω) is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 (λαλέω) means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
ἑπτά (heptá): seven
ἄγγελος (ángelos): compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ὑπάγω (hypágō): to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Revelation 16The first vial (noisome, grievous sores) typologically echoes the sixth Egyptian plague of boils and blains.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Sores fall specifically on those with the mark of the beast, established in Chapter 13.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The sea turning to the blood of a dead man mirrors the Nile turning to blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Praises God for His true and righteous judgments in avenging the blood of His servants.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The fifth vial brings darkness on the seat of the beast, echoing the Egyptian plague of darkness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Angels casting fire/pouring vials from the heavenly altar, initiating judgments on the earth.
Supported by JFB
The divine title 'which art, and wast' is modified here because He has now come.
Supported by JFB
The graphic judgment of giving blood to drink is a clear echo of Isaiah's language.
Supported by JFB
A direct parallel where men suffer severe plagues yet refuse to repent or give God glory.
Supported by JFB
The seat/throne of the beast was given to him by the dragon, now targeted by God.
Supported by JFB
Unclean spirits like frogs acting as lying spirits to gather kings matches Micaiah's vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal echo of Christ coming 'as a thief' and the command to watch and keep garments.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Omits 'shalt be' because God is now actively executing His final, consummating judgments.
Supported by JFB
The altar speaks, representing the prayers and blood of the martyrs under the altar.
Supported by JFB
Drying the waters of the Euphrates parallels the drying up of the beast's supportive populations.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The unclean spirits appear as frogs, directly evoking the second plague of Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The kings gathered by demonic spirits actually meet their end in the battle of Chapter 19.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Armageddon refers to the Waters of Megiddo, historical site of battle and divine victory.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The cup of the wine of the fierceness of God's wrath echoes Jeremiah's cup of fury.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The seven angels with the seven vials emerge directly from the opened heavenly temple.
Supported by Matthew Henry