Revelation 16 explained: Seven Bowls of God's Anger

Land, sea and rivers (vv. 1-7)

Sores break out on those marked as loyal to the beast, the oppressive power of chapter 13, and the sea, rivers and springs turn to blood, as the Nile did in Egypt. An angel and the altar, where the martyrs cried out for justice in chapter 6, call this fair: those who shed the blood of God's people are given blood to drink.

Scorching heat, then darkness (vv. 8-11)

The sun burns people, then darkness covers the beast's throne and kingdom, recalling the darkness over Egypt. In their pain people curse God and, the text says twice, refuse to turn from what they have done.

The Euphrates dries up (v. 12)

The Euphrates was the great river on the eastern edge of the Roman world, and drying it up opens a road for kings 'from the rising of the sun,' which translations render as 'from the East' or 'from the sunrising.' The text does not say whether they are friends or foes: many modern scholars think of the Parthians, Rome's feared rivals beyond that river, while some older Christian readers saw God's people, or eastern nations coming to faith.

Spirits like frogs (vv. 13-14)

Three spirits that look like frogs, recalling another Egyptian plague, come from the mouths of the dragon (Satan), the beast, and the false prophet (the beast's spokesman in chapter 13). They work signs to draw the world's rulers into battle on 'the great day of God Almighty.'

A warning and Armageddon (vv. 15-16)

A voice, usually taken to be Jesus, breaks in to say he will come unexpectedly like a thief, and blesses those who stay awake and keep their clothes on, meaning ready and unashamed. The rulers gather at Armageddon, Hebrew for 'mountain of Megiddo,' a site of famous ancient battles, but Megiddo stands on a low mound rather than a mountain, so scholars are unsure whether a real place or a symbol is meant.

"It is done" (vv. 17-21)

God's voice declares 'It is done.' An unmatched earthquake splits 'the great city,' islands and mountains vanish, and giant hail falls, yet people still curse God. Babylon the Great, made to drink the cup of God's anger, is widely read as a code name for Rome in John's day, though some see any proud, violent power, or one still to come.

Key verse: Revelation 16:7

Where Christians differ

Christians differ over whether these bowls describe events of Rome's own time, events spread across church history, literal disasters still to come at the end of history, or symbolic pictures of judgment on oppressive powers in every age.

Something to think about

When people who have caused great harm face consequences, what makes the outcome feel like justice to you rather than just more suffering?