Revelation 16:2-12

2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl 1on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant 2sore on the people 3who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl 4into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the 5rivers and the springs of waters; and they 6became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, "7Righteous are You, 8who are and who were, O 9Holy One, because You 10judged these things;
6 for they poured out 11the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them 12blood to drink. They deserve it."
7 And I heard 13the altar saying, "Yes, O 14Lord God, the Almighty, 15true and righteous are Your judgments."
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon 16the sun, 17and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.
9 Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they 18blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they 19did not repent so as to 20give Him glory.
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the 21throne of the beast, and his kingdom became 22darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain,
11 and they 23blasphemed the 24God of heaven because of their pains and their 25sores; and they 26did not repent of their deeds.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the 27great river, the Euphrates; and 28its water was dried up, so that 29the way would be prepared for the kings 30from the east *.

Revelation 16:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 16

This chapter gives an account of the pouring out of the seven vials by the angels; their orders for it are in Re 16:1. The first angel pours out his vial on the earth, the effect of which is a noisome and grievous sore upon the followers of antichrist, and the worshippers of his image, Re 16:2. The second pours out his upon the sea; the events of it are, the sea became blood, and every living creature in it died, Re 16:3. The third pours out his upon the rivers and fountains of water, which thereby became blood; upon which the angel of the waters applauds the justice of God, declaring the righteousness of his judgments, and giving a reason for it; and which is confirmed by another angel from the altar, Re 16:4-7. The fourth angel pours out his vial on the sun, the effects of which are, scorching men with heat, their blasphemy against God, and impenitence, Re 16:8,9. The fifth pours out his on the seat of the beast, the consequences of which are darkness in his kingdom, men gnawing their tongues because of their pains, their blasphemy of the name of God because of them, and their impenitence, Re 16:10,11. The sixth angel pours out his on the river Euphrates, and what followed upon it are, the drying up of that river to make way for the kings of the east; there unclean spirits are seen, described by their original, coming out of the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false prophet; by their form, like frogs; by their internal nature, spirits of devils; by their works, doing miracles; by the errand they are sent, and go upon, to gather the kings of the earth to the battle of God Almighty, which they succeed in; but before this is done, a declaration is made of the suddenness of Christ's coming, exciting the saints to watchfulness, and to keep their garments, that they might not be naked, and exposed to shame, Re 16:12-16 Then the seventh angel pours out his vial into the air, the consequences of which are, a voice from heaven declaring it is done: other voices, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake; a rupture of the great city into three parts; the fall of other cities; the remembrance of Babylon before God; the flight of every island and mountain, and a great hail storm, which causes men to blaspheme God, Re 16:17-21.

Cross References 30

  • 1. Revelation 8:7
  • 2. Exodus 9:9-11; Deuteronomy 28:35; Revelation 16:11
  • 3. Revelation 13:15-17; Revelation 14:9
  • 4. Exodus 7:17-21; Revelation 8:8; Revelation 11:6
  • 5. Revelation 8:10
  • 6. Exodus 7:17-20; Psalms 78:44; Revelation 11:6
  • 7. John 17:25
  • 8. Revelation 11:17
  • 9. Revelation 15:4
  • 10. Revelation 6:10
  • 11. Revelation 17:6; Revelation 18:24
  • 12. Isaiah 49:26; Luke 11:49-51
  • 13. Revelation 6:9; Revelation 14:18
  • 14. Revelation 1:8
  • 15. Revelation 15:3; Revelation 19:2
  • 16. Revelation 6:12
  • 17. Revelation 14:18
  • 18. Revelation 16:11, 21
  • 19. Revelation 2:21
  • 20. Revelation 11:13
  • 21. Revelation 13:2
  • 22. Exodus 10:21; Isaiah 8:22; Revelation 8:12; Revelation 9:2
  • 23. Revelation 16:9, 21
  • 24. Revelation 11:13
  • 25. Revelation 16:2
  • 26. Revelation 2:21
  • 27. Revelation 9:14
  • 28. Isaiah 11:15; Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 51:36
  • 29. Isaiah 41:2, 25; Isaiah 46:11
  • 30. Revelation 7:2

Footnotes 6

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.