So far in Revelation, we have had the 7 seals being opened and the 7 trumpets, you might remember we saw that these were describing the whole time in between Jesus’ ascension and his return. The judgment each time was limited, 1/4 (seals), 1/3 (trumpets) and all of the judgment was meant to act as a loving wake up call to rouse a deaf world. A wake up call to return to the Lord God almighty and to find refuge in Jesus. The church was called to proclaim this message. But now as we see the bowls of wrath being poured out, we’re at the end. Here is God’s final judgment on His enemies. It is both awful and wonderful at the same time. It’s awful as we’ll see in ch 16, but it’s wonderful—the earth is being purged of all evil. Don’t you long for this day!
It’s only after the earth is purged of all evil that God’s people will be able to enjoy the new heavens and the new earth. The first 3 bowls are poured on the land, sea and rivers. The destruction is awful. Remember God’s people have already been marked and protected (ch7,14), and gathered safely in (14:15) if you have turned to Jesus for refuge, you will not face any of this.
But those who have not turned to Jesus have also been marked—they belong to the world and the world’s way of thinking. If anyone has the mark of the beast, they will now be marked with painful sores. The next angel pours out his bowl and the sea is ruined, it is turned to blood. When the 3rd angel pours out his bowl, the rivers are turned to blood.
Why is this happening? Maybe we’re tempted to ask, is this fair?
The angel reassures us that God is doing the right thing (v5-6). It’s a bit like when you were at school, I seem to remember teachers loved to make the punishment fit the crime, so if you had been caught writing on the desks, the punishment was to sand them down! Here the bloodthirsty are given blood to drink. God says that if you mistreat and kill His people, you will be given blood to drink. It’s picture language to show the punishment fits the crime. God will repay. We are reminded of the altar (v7), this was the place the martyrs were crying out from in chapter 6. Now the altar bears witness that this judgment is right. Here is an encouragement to the persecuted Christian—you don’t need to repay bloodshed for bloodshed, you can leave it with God. Justice will be done.
These judgments are a source of praise for God’s people as justice is done, but what about for the wrongdoer, will they turn and cry out for mercy? How do they respond? They curse God, they refuse to not repent (v8-9). They seem convinced they do not deserve this. The same thing happens with the next plague (v10). It’s a bit like in the Exodus—God sent similar plagues on Pharoah, and he hardened his heart. He refused to let them go. And then just as God dried up the red sea, he dries up the river Euphrates. It looked like there was no way out, they were trapped, but God provided a way. Pharaoh’s armies pursued God’s people, but they drowned.
In Revelation 16 God’s enemies have gathered together against Him. They are led by an unholy trinity of the dragon, beast, and the false prophet (v13). They’ve assembled the kings and the people to fight against the Lord.
How do you feel reading this? Is it frightening? What is Armageddon? It comes from the Hebrew word for Mount Meggido. Meggido was actually a flat area, but John calls it a mount to show us he’s not talking about the literal place, but is simply reminding us of all the times God’s enemies lined up against God. Here is the final battle.
Into the midst of all of this, Jesus speaks a word of encouragement to his people. Have a look at v15—even here in the midst of all judgment, Jesus encourages his people, it’s as if Jesus is saying, “there is not long to go—stick with me! I’ll be there any moment, make sure you’re awake! Don’t fall for the lies of Satan, let me cover you, I died for you, you belong to me.” If you have taken refuge in Jesus, there is nothing to fear. You see as frightening as it may look as the enemies line up, there is no contest.
Look what happens when the 7th angel pours out his bowl— he pours it into the air (v17), this is Satan’s realm (see Eph 2:2). But there’s no contest! The angel pronounces God’s victory: “it is done.” There’s no battle. There’s no contest. God decides when the end of the world will be. Babylon, which represents all God’s enemies, is made to drink the cup of God’s wrath. God had given her so long to repent but she refused, even right to the end, she cursed God.
As we read this chapter, we should see the seriousness of sin, be renewed in our determination to hold out the word of life, but also be reassured, that the future is in God’s hands. He will not let evil continue forever.
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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