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Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007/2008
| In-Depth Study of The Book of Revelation Chapter 16 By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
Verse 1 (Judgement)
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the
bowls[a] of the wrath of God on the earth.”
Again we see seven angels with seven bowls representing complete cycles of judgement. A
voice command begins the judgement.
Verse 2
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.
These last plagues are poured out in the last half of the tribulation period, near its end, but
before the final gathering together with Armageddon which closes the period. We see the first
vial poured out malignant sores which affect those with the mark of the Antichrist. How this will
occur we can only speculate, but it will occur.
Verse 3
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 affects the sea. G-d supernaturally touches the waters and they turn red and
fish die in abundance. Again this is written in the language of appearance. In chapter 8:8-9 the
2nd trumpet we saw 1/3 of the sea turn red and the fish died. Here however the 2nd bowl is not
partial. Everything in the ocean dies.
Verse 4 (Judgement)
Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became
blood.
This third bowl is essentially similar to the second, except instead of the oceans, here the rivers
and water sources of mankind are ruined for drinking.
Verse 5-7 (Judgements)
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.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them blood to drink.
For[d] it is their just due.”
7 And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous
are Your judgments.”
These angelic voices ring out the cry that the murderous earthlings deserve this horrible plague
because they have shed the righteous blood of the prophets and of the saints, that is, of those
who trusted in G-d and Christ.
It may be difficult for you to imagine the disaster that these 2nd and 3rd bowl judgements
create. One must remember that the vast oceans and rivers constitute a system which acts as G-
d's great air conditioner, sweeping away the impurities of the air, balancing nature. Also, the
oxygen giving plankton which are found in water supply a majority of the earths water to man.
What could happen in our oceans, rivers and springs turn to blood?
1.) Waters become poisonous and putrid, and foul smelling air sweeps across the world as decay
takes place.
2.) Fish, an important source of food becomes unobtainable. The fishing industry collapses,
starvation of people accelerates.
3.) People will rush to dig wells only to have them gush forth blood.
4.) Man's oxygen supply will diminish.
Verse 8 (Judgement)
Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch
men with fire.
In this fourth bowl the sun itself is affected and men are scorched with its intense heat. In the
4th trumpet we saw the heavenly bodies were affected 1/3 of the sun was darkened. Here
however men are burned. Men have from the ages tended to worship the sun, that which has
been created, rather than the creator. Even today when scientists lecture on the effects of
solar heat and photosynthesis the sun rather than G-d is given the glory. Now, with this plague
G-d shows the Antichrist and his followers that He not the sun is the sustainer of the earth.
Verse 9
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.
As in the case of Pharaoh, the mass of mankind is further rebellion against G-d chooses not to
repent but curses and blasphemes G-d. As the wicked rise higher in blasphemy against G-d and
His children, G-d displays more of His power and glory and gets praise unto Himself.
Verse 10-11 (Judgement)
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. 11 They blasphemed the God of
heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
The 5th bowl like the 5th trumpet is primarily directed against wicked men, the followers of the
Antichrist. These things show us that this plague of darkness is aimed against the capital city of
the Beast's empire, his seat of government. The fact that the sores are agitated here in the 5th
bowl would suggest to us that the falling of the bowls may come in short succession. They
gnawed their tongues for pain the pain must be fiercely intense to cause this. They who used
their tongues to curse and blaspheme are punished by chewing on their tongues to divert the
pain. Yet they would not repent.
Verse 12 (Judgement)
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 6th bowl is similar to its corresponding trumpet. In the 6th trumpet the 4 angels were
loosed who were bound to the River Euphrates; here the Euphrates is dried up. In the 6th
trumpet the army of 200 million horsemen was started on their march to slay a third of men;
here also armies are set to marching - the armies headed by the kings of the East. So the
trumpets and corresponding blows each involve the same basic area, but each yet differs. The
Euphrates River which cradled early civilizations such as Babylon and Assyria winds some 1700
miles flowing southeast into the Persian Gulf. On a globe you can see the strategic position of
this river. Africa, Palestine and Arabia are southwest of the river. Russia, China, India and Iran
(Persia) are northeast. The Euphrates separates these two areas.
Verse 13 - 14 (Judgements)
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. 14 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.
Here before the final bowl we see a vision of the 3 frogs. G-d makes us realize that these bowls
are leading up to the final showdown battle at Armageddon. In verse 13 we see that from the
Satanic Trinity there goes out a clamor for the armies of the world to gather together in norther
Palestine, the approach valley-plain to Jerusalem, Armageddon. Why? We do not yet know the
Satanic reasons that these 3 will give to the world. Some have suggested that the western world
will desire to have a showdown against the eastern armies marching to take Palestine. Perhaps
both east and west are coming as a united nations force to once and for all settle the middle
east by totally annihilating Israel. Did you ever sit near a lake while it was dark and hear the
noise of the frogs. The noises come from all over. So the Antichrist, Satan, and the false
prophet will jump around the world croaking forth their propaganda stirring up the world to
Armageddon.
Verse 15 (Promise)
“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.”
This is the rapture. A sudden surprising unexpected and unannounced appearance. We are
admonished to keep our garments ready, this means we are to be living for G-d constantly and
not living in sin so that when Christ suddenly comes we will not be ashamed at what he finds us
doing.
Verse 16 (Judgement)
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Here as described in Joel 3:2 and 9-14 the armies of Antichrist are assembled with the huge
Armageddon Jezreal - Jordon valley plain. The Kings of the East bring their armies across the
Euphrates, the Antichrist and false prophet are coming with theirs. The stage is set.
Verse 17 (Judgement)
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!”
It is done signifies the seal trumpet and bowl cycles of judgement have now been completed.
Armageddon is ahead. The early seals were calamities for the earth war, famine, etc. The
trumpets had the marks of the supernatural, and universal. In verse 17-21 the 7th bowl
concludes with gigantic hail, worldwide earthquakes and the destruction of the Antichrist's
capital.
Verse 18 (Judgement)
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.
The lightnings and thunders, G-d's ancient signs of displeasure and judgement of sin here
abound. The earthquake is unmistakably descried as the greatest earthquake since men were
upon the earth. This would include man made atomic bomb earthquakes. Scientist tell us that
geologic fault lines extend through Palestine's Jordon Valley down to Africa and through the
California coast.
Verse 19 (Judgement)
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 great city was divided this is the Antichrist's capital city called Babylon. It is described in
chapter 18 as the commercial emporium of Antichrist's empire. The very world Babylon in
Scripture represents a composite of the continuing corrupt world system led by the unseen arch-
spirit of evil, Satan. The earthquake is sent by G-d not merely by seismic activity. In verse 19
amid the catastrophic happenings of the 7th bowl we are told that Babylon is remembered for
destruction. Chapter 17-18 will give us the full details.
Verse 20 (Judgement)
Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Not only is Antichrist's capital city devastated but we see that every island and the mountains
are affected. The whole wicked world is convulsed by an indignant and righteous G-d because
the world has hearkened willingly to the Antichrist and his satanic end time system.
Verse 21 (Judgement)
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.
A talent probably weighs in the vicinity of 95 lbs. Hail of such magnitude would indeed be an
unquestionably lethal weapon. To be struck on an arm or foot would mean certain severe
damage, a direct hit would mean instant death. The property damage to buildings, cars and
planes would be incalculable. The wicked followers of Antichrist still choose to blaspheme
rather than repent. In this 7th bowl cities will crumble. Try to envision Boston, New York or Los
Angeles suddenly tumbling down like a bunch of toy blocks. Think of the devastation, the
terror, and the death that will occur. Think of the Rockies reaching from Alaska to the southern
tip of South America suddenly disappearing and Mt. Everest sinking into a flatland. All this
coupled with a hail storm the like of which the world has never seen. It is evident throughout
Scripture, men either by faith repent and turn to Christ who has paid for their sins, or they cling
to unbelief, follow Satan and perish in their iniquity. The choice is clear.
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the
bowls[a] of the wrath of God on the earth.”
Again we see seven angels with seven bowls representing complete cycles of judgement. A
voice command begins the judgement.
Verse 2
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.
These last plagues are poured out in the last half of the tribulation period, near its end, but
before the final gathering together with Armageddon which closes the period. We see the first
vial poured out malignant sores which affect those with the mark of the Antichrist. How this will
occur we can only speculate, but it will occur.
Verse 3
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 affects the sea. G-d supernaturally touches the waters and they turn red and
fish die in abundance. Again this is written in the language of appearance. In chapter 8:8-9 the
2nd trumpet we saw 1/3 of the sea turn red and the fish died. Here however the 2nd bowl is not
partial. Everything in the ocean dies.
Verse 4 (Judgement)
Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became
blood.
This third bowl is essentially similar to the second, except instead of the oceans, here the rivers
and water sources of mankind are ruined for drinking.
Verse 5-7 (Judgements)
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.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them blood to drink.
For[d] it is their just due.”
7 And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous
are Your judgments.”
These angelic voices ring out the cry that the murderous earthlings deserve this horrible plague
because they have shed the righteous blood of the prophets and of the saints, that is, of those
who trusted in G-d and Christ.
It may be difficult for you to imagine the disaster that these 2nd and 3rd bowl judgements
create. One must remember that the vast oceans and rivers constitute a system which acts as G-
d's great air conditioner, sweeping away the impurities of the air, balancing nature. Also, the
oxygen giving plankton which are found in water supply a majority of the earths water to man.
What could happen in our oceans, rivers and springs turn to blood?
1.) Waters become poisonous and putrid, and foul smelling air sweeps across the world as decay
takes place.
2.) Fish, an important source of food becomes unobtainable. The fishing industry collapses,
starvation of people accelerates.
3.) People will rush to dig wells only to have them gush forth blood.
4.) Man's oxygen supply will diminish.
Verse 8 (Judgement)
Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch
men with fire.
In this fourth bowl the sun itself is affected and men are scorched with its intense heat. In the
4th trumpet we saw the heavenly bodies were affected 1/3 of the sun was darkened. Here
however men are burned. Men have from the ages tended to worship the sun, that which has
been created, rather than the creator. Even today when scientists lecture on the effects of
solar heat and photosynthesis the sun rather than G-d is given the glory. Now, with this plague
G-d shows the Antichrist and his followers that He not the sun is the sustainer of the earth.
Verse 9
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.
As in the case of Pharaoh, the mass of mankind is further rebellion against G-d chooses not to
repent but curses and blasphemes G-d. As the wicked rise higher in blasphemy against G-d and
His children, G-d displays more of His power and glory and gets praise unto Himself.
Verse 10-11 (Judgement)
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. 11 They blasphemed the God of
heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
The 5th bowl like the 5th trumpet is primarily directed against wicked men, the followers of the
Antichrist. These things show us that this plague of darkness is aimed against the capital city of
the Beast's empire, his seat of government. The fact that the sores are agitated here in the 5th
bowl would suggest to us that the falling of the bowls may come in short succession. They
gnawed their tongues for pain the pain must be fiercely intense to cause this. They who used
their tongues to curse and blaspheme are punished by chewing on their tongues to divert the
pain. Yet they would not repent.
Verse 12 (Judgement)
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 6th bowl is similar to its corresponding trumpet. In the 6th trumpet the 4 angels were
loosed who were bound to the River Euphrates; here the Euphrates is dried up. In the 6th
trumpet the army of 200 million horsemen was started on their march to slay a third of men;
here also armies are set to marching - the armies headed by the kings of the East. So the
trumpets and corresponding blows each involve the same basic area, but each yet differs. The
Euphrates River which cradled early civilizations such as Babylon and Assyria winds some 1700
miles flowing southeast into the Persian Gulf. On a globe you can see the strategic position of
this river. Africa, Palestine and Arabia are southwest of the river. Russia, China, India and Iran
(Persia) are northeast. The Euphrates separates these two areas.
Verse 13 - 14 (Judgements)
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. 14 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.
Here before the final bowl we see a vision of the 3 frogs. G-d makes us realize that these bowls
are leading up to the final showdown battle at Armageddon. In verse 13 we see that from the
Satanic Trinity there goes out a clamor for the armies of the world to gather together in norther
Palestine, the approach valley-plain to Jerusalem, Armageddon. Why? We do not yet know the
Satanic reasons that these 3 will give to the world. Some have suggested that the western world
will desire to have a showdown against the eastern armies marching to take Palestine. Perhaps
both east and west are coming as a united nations force to once and for all settle the middle
east by totally annihilating Israel. Did you ever sit near a lake while it was dark and hear the
noise of the frogs. The noises come from all over. So the Antichrist, Satan, and the false
prophet will jump around the world croaking forth their propaganda stirring up the world to
Armageddon.
Verse 15 (Promise)
“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.”
This is the rapture. A sudden surprising unexpected and unannounced appearance. We are
admonished to keep our garments ready, this means we are to be living for G-d constantly and
not living in sin so that when Christ suddenly comes we will not be ashamed at what he finds us
doing.
Verse 16 (Judgement)
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Here as described in Joel 3:2 and 9-14 the armies of Antichrist are assembled with the huge
Armageddon Jezreal - Jordon valley plain. The Kings of the East bring their armies across the
Euphrates, the Antichrist and false prophet are coming with theirs. The stage is set.
Verse 17 (Judgement)
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!”
It is done signifies the seal trumpet and bowl cycles of judgement have now been completed.
Armageddon is ahead. The early seals were calamities for the earth war, famine, etc. The
trumpets had the marks of the supernatural, and universal. In verse 17-21 the 7th bowl
concludes with gigantic hail, worldwide earthquakes and the destruction of the Antichrist's
capital.
Verse 18 (Judgement)
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.
The lightnings and thunders, G-d's ancient signs of displeasure and judgement of sin here
abound. The earthquake is unmistakably descried as the greatest earthquake since men were
upon the earth. This would include man made atomic bomb earthquakes. Scientist tell us that
geologic fault lines extend through Palestine's Jordon Valley down to Africa and through the
California coast.
Verse 19 (Judgement)
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 great city was divided this is the Antichrist's capital city called Babylon. It is described in
chapter 18 as the commercial emporium of Antichrist's empire. The very world Babylon in
Scripture represents a composite of the continuing corrupt world system led by the unseen arch-
spirit of evil, Satan. The earthquake is sent by G-d not merely by seismic activity. In verse 19
amid the catastrophic happenings of the 7th bowl we are told that Babylon is remembered for
destruction. Chapter 17-18 will give us the full details.
Verse 20 (Judgement)
Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Not only is Antichrist's capital city devastated but we see that every island and the mountains
are affected. The whole wicked world is convulsed by an indignant and righteous G-d because
the world has hearkened willingly to the Antichrist and his satanic end time system.
Verse 21 (Judgement)
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.
A talent probably weighs in the vicinity of 95 lbs. Hail of such magnitude would indeed be an
unquestionably lethal weapon. To be struck on an arm or foot would mean certain severe
damage, a direct hit would mean instant death. The property damage to buildings, cars and
planes would be incalculable. The wicked followers of Antichrist still choose to blaspheme
rather than repent. In this 7th bowl cities will crumble. Try to envision Boston, New York or Los
Angeles suddenly tumbling down like a bunch of toy blocks. Think of the devastation, the
terror, and the death that will occur. Think of the Rockies reaching from Alaska to the southern
tip of South America suddenly disappearing and Mt. Everest sinking into a flatland. All this
coupled with a hail storm the like of which the world has never seen. It is evident throughout
Scripture, men either by faith repent and turn to Christ who has paid for their sins, or they cling
to unbelief, follow Satan and perish in their iniquity. The choice is clear.