Revelation 16 Footnotes

16:1-7 The first three bowls are focused on those who worshiped the beast and took his mark. The significance of turning the water sources into blood is clarified in vv. 5-7. Those who worshiped the beast are being judged for the martyrs’ blood, with which judgment the heavenly martyrs under the altar agree (6:9). Since such vengeance was expected for the earth dwellers, the beast worshipers and the earth dwellers are the same group.

16:8-11 Even under the judgment of the most intense heat and darkness, the beast worshipers will not respond positively to the eternal gospel. They will not repent or glorify God (14:6-7).

16:12-16 The sixth bowl of wrath is the preparation for the battle of Armageddon. Many derivations have been proposed for the name Armageddon. It appears to mean “hill of Megiddo.” In the midst of this description is the third blessing statement of the book, warning readers to remain spiritually alert (v. 15). Some have seen the stacked references to the dragon and the beast and the false prophet as a counterfeit “trinity.”