CHAPTER 16
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
SUMMARY
In this chapter the full outpouring of wrath upon the enemies of God is depicted. The seven angels with the seven bowls pour out "the seven last plagues" (15:1). Notice that these are not partial judgments, as with the seven trumpets described earlier (chs. 8-11). In the pouring out of these plagues "the wrath of God is complete" (15:1). In the first four bowls, God's wrath is poured out on the earth, the sea, the rivers and springs, and the sun. Affected by these plagues are those who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image. God's judgment upon them is proclaimed righteous and just, because they had been guilty of shedding the blood of saints and prophets. Amazingly, their response is to blaspheme God, and refuse to repent and give Him glory (1-9). The fifth bowl is poured out on the throne of the beast and his kingdom, resulting in darkness. The painful suffering of the wicked continue, as does their blasphemy and refusal to repent of their deeds (10-11). The sixth bowl is poured out on the river Euphrates, preparing the way for the kings from the east. John then saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. Described as the spirits of demons, they perform signs and gather the kings of the earth to the place called Armageddon, for the battle of the great day of God.
At this point Jesus speaks both a warning and blessing, for those who watch and keep their garments will be blessed, as He is coming as a thief (12-16). The seventh bowl is poured out and a loud voice from the temple in heaven cries out, "It is done!" The declaration is followed by thunderings, lightnings, and a great earthquake. The great city (Jerusalem) was divided into three parts, and cities of the nations fell. Great Babylon was remembered by God, to give her the cup of the wine of His wrath. Every island fled away, the mountains were not found, and great hail from heaven fell upon men. The latter caused men to blaspheme God (17-21).
Chapters 17-19 will elaborate upon the judgments upon the beast, the false prophet, and Babylon, identifying them in more detail, and describing their ultimate downfall. The import of chapter 16 appears to be that the judgments upon them will be final and just, for even with these outpourings of wrath there is no willingness on the part of the beast and those who worship him to repent of their evil deeds!
OUTLINE
I. THE PRONOUNCEMENT (1)
A. BY A LOUD VOICE FROM THE TEMPLE (1a)
B. TO THE SEVEN ANGELS TO POUR OUT THE BOWLS OF WRATH (1b)
II. THE SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH (2-21)
A. FIRST BOWL: TERRIBLE SORES (2)
B. SECOND BOWL: SEA OF BLOOD (3)
C. THIRD BOWL: RIVERS AND SPRINGS OF BLOOD (4-7)
D. FOURTH BOWL: MEN SCORCHED (8-9)
E. FIFTH BOWL: PAIN AND DARKNESS (10-11)
F. SIXTH BOWL: KINGDOMS GATHERED AT ARMAGEDDON (12-16)
G. SEVENTH BOWL: GREAT EARTHQUAKE; THE GREAT CITY DIVIDED AND BABYLON REMEMBERED; CATACLYSMIC EVENTS (17-21)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
2) What did a loud voice from the temple say to seven angels? (1)
3) Upon what was the first bowl poured out? What happened? (2)
4) Upon what was the second bowl poured out? What happened? (3)
5) Upon what was the third bowl poured out? What happened? (4)
6) Why did the angel of the waters proclaim God's judgments as just? (5-6)
7) Upon what was the fourth bowl poured out? What happened? (8-9)
8) Despite these judgments, how did men respond? (9)
9) Upon what was the fifth bowl poured out? What happened? (10)
10) What again is said about the response to these judgments? (11)
11) Upon what was the sixth bowl poured out? What happened? (12)
12) What did John see next? (13)
13) What were these, and what was their mission? (14)
14) What warning and beatitude did Jesus give at this point? (15)
15) Where were the kings of the earth gathered? (16)
16) Upon what was the seventh bowl poured out? What happened? (17)
17) What then occurred? (18-21)
18) How did people respond to the plague of the hail? (21)
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