Angels With Golden Bowls
Thank you for staying with me, dear readers, throughout the book of Revelation. We are not finished just yet, as we have much more to uncover in this book written long ago at the hand of John the Apostle. He viewed this entire scene from heaven and wrote it all down for us, as he was led by the Holy Spirit.
We arrive in the scriptures today at a very difficult spot, especially for those remaining on the earth described during this time at the end of the great tribulation. It has been seven years of God’s judgment poured out from heaven upon the earth.
Today, we will look at the final part of God’s judgment described here in the future.
Specific to the judgment are those who have refused the gift of salvation in God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Also in this group are those who have received the mark of the Antichrist on their right hand or forehead—an eternally bad decision of which there is no return. This group in particular will get extra judgment, as we will see forthcoming in these scriptures as we pour over today’s topic.
Up to this point, the judgments from God have been severe and have become increasingly harsh.
The ones we will discuss in this article are the most severe yet, predicted to occur during this time. Actually, they are the worst, as they finish up God’s wrath and His judgment on those who refuse to repent of their sins and turn to Christ.
On the timeline of events, we are now looking at things described that will be happening during the Great Tribulation, toward the end of the seven years.
They are the seven angels with the seven golden bowls of God’s judgment.
In the opening scene, the heavens prepare and worship God for what He is about to do; for it is a holy act of His divine judgment.
There is a constant theme throughout these, as well as all of God’s judgments: God is just and He is the perfect balance of justice and mercy.
“After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed” (Revelation 15:5-8).
This is a holy moment preceding God’s judgment; no one is allowed inside God’s temple as this is happening, not even a heavenly creature.
I’m certainly not going to venture in there with any speculation—at all!
The Seven Angels and the Seven Golden Bowls of God’s Wrath: Revelation 16
“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth’”(Revelation 16:1).
First angel:
This bowl is poured out upon the land on all those who took the mark of the beast on their right hand or forehead, and worshipped his image. They get loathsome, festering sores all over their bodies.
Second Angel:
This bowl is poured out on the sea, and all the seas turn to blood. Everything in the sea dies.
Third Angel:
All the springs and the fountains of the earth are turned to blood.
This is a special, avenging judgment as promised to the martyrs for the shedding of their blood by those upon the earth.
“The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.’ And I heard the altar respond: ‘Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments” (Revelation 16:4-7).
The Fourth Angel:
The Angel pours out his bowl on the sun so that it scorches the people of the earth with fire and intense heat. The people curse God for this and refuse to repent.
I am just compelled to pause here and comment. I really don’t understand how this would not prompt a person to repent. It’s going to be a lot hotter than this at their new eternal address.
The Fifth Angel:
This angel pours out judgment on the kingdom of the beast. Everyone and everything will be plunged into total darkness. The people will chew their tongues, be in the severest of pain from their body sores and yet refuse to repent. They will curse God to His face, unfortunately for them.
The Sixth Angel:
“The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.’ Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon” (Revelation 16:12-16).
This bowl is poured out on the Euphrates River to dry it up. We see above, it will be full of blood and dead waterfowl everywhere prior to this. It is turned into a dry marching path for the kings of the east to make their way to the valley called Armageddon. This is also referred to as the “Valley of Jehoshaphat.” See Joel 3:12-14.
These armies are gathered together by the spirits of demons that come out of the mouth of Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. They are all the ringleaders to this last insurrection and final war described here.
All the world leaders and haters of God and Christ will drag their almost dead bones down this dried river bed and into the cradle of civilization for a war that will wrap up rather quickly.
Those who are believers are warned to hold onto their righteousness, as it appears to be very difficult to persevere during this time with everything that is happening upon the earth.
The Seventh Angel:
“The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’ Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered, ‘Babylon the Great’ and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of His wrath.
“Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible” (Revelation 16:17-21).
God’s judgment is satisfied—and it ends here with the culmination of the seventh angel with the golden bowl.
You know it’s bad when the scripture says that something is the worst it has ever been.
One earthquake is so bad, the mountains and islands go missing! One-hundred-pound hail is dropped on mankind. The people curse God because of this, unfortunately.
The great city, Jerusalem, splits in three parts after this worldwide earthquake, and all the cities of the earth follow right behind Jerusalem in complete collapse.
“Babylon the Great” is also referred to here as a city that will be dealt with at this time with mega judgment. She gets her very own extra-large cup of God’s wrath filled with His fury. She is in big trouble—that old Babylon! My upcoming article depicting the judgment of this city will follow in the weeks ahead.
We end here as the great tribulation is in its closing moments, before the final war of the Bible, Armageddon, takes place. This final war intersects with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Second Advent).
Satan wants to take down as many as he can with him. The ones he has success with are those who refuse God and cling to evil and darkness.
I see these kinds of people living now in these last days, even before this future time described above unfolds.
They defy God and run to every evil thing they can. It is not hard to imagine these people living during the judgments described here, being so obstinate and hating God so much. They are living, right now, among us on this earth, just like Jesus said they would be.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
“And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-7).
My prayer as I close is for better things for you and your family in the days ahead. I hope you are rapture ready and awaiting the last trumpet. Hold fast to your faith, because it will be richly rewarded… very soon!
Eyes upward, my dears!
Sally Law