The Bowls of Wrath

Reflections on Revelation 16:1-9

The plagues brought on the earth when the bowls are poured out are called the "last" plagues (15:1) because each one follows and completes one of the trumpet plagues. Thus, the 1st bowl completes the 1st trumpet, and the 2nd bowl completes the 2nd trumpet. Both the 7th trumpet and the 7th bowl point to the final judgment. Thus, the trumpets and bowls run parallel to each other. We should not think of the 1st bowl following the 7th trumpet. Both the trumpets and the bowls show God hearing and responding to the petitions of the saints. However, when the bowls are poured out, God is no longer "pulling punches." The wicked have proved obstinate, and God fully vents his wrath upon them.

#	Trumpets	Bowls
1	1/3 Earth	Earth
2	1/3 Seas	Seas
3	1/3 Fountains & Rivers	Fountains & Rivers
4	1/3 Sun, Moon & Stars	Sun
5	The Bottomless Pit	The Beast's Throne
6	Euphrates	Euphrates
7	Lightning, Earthquake & Hail	Lightning, Earthquake & Hail

Both the first trumpet and the first bowl bring plagues on the earth. However, the plague brought by the bowl is more extensive and the objects of God's wrath are identified clearly as the people who bear the mark of the beast and worship his image, that is, people who have put their trust in human government.

The second and third bowls poured out on all salt and fresh water are also more extensive than the corresponding trumpets. In them God is completing his wrath against those who have shed the blood of saints and prophets.

Park near the Spring of Harod where Gideon camped

The fourth trumpet causes the sun, moon, and stars to be darkened, but the fourth bowl causes the sun to scorch people with fire. The result of the fourth bowl is that people curse God and continue in their obstinate refusal to repent.