Revelation 14-16: The Seven Bowls
1. Proclaiming the Judgment (14:1-20)
a. The Singers (14:1-5)
i. The Lamb was standing on Mt. Zion with the 144,000.
1. A voice was heard from heaven like many waters and thunder.
2. The sound was like harpists playing.
ii. They sang a new song before the throne, the creatures, and elders.
1. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 redeemed.
iii. The 144,000 are blameless.
1. They are not defiled with women and have remained pure.
2. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
3. They have been purchased as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
4. No lie was found in their mouth.
b. The Speakers (14:6-13)
i. The messages of three angels flying in the midst of heaven. (6-12)
1. The first had an eternal gospel to preach to all on the earth.
a. Fear God and give Him glory.
b. The hour of His judgment has come.
c. Worship the Creator.
2. The second declared the fall of Babylon.
a. Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.
b. She made all nations drink of the wine of immorality.
3. The third described the punishment of the beast worshippers.
a. He will drink the wine of God’s wrath mixed full strength.
b. He will be tormented by fire without rest before the Lamb.
c. Here is the perseverance of faithful, obedient saints.
ii. The message of a voice from heaven and of the Spirit. (13)
1. Voice from heaven: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
2. Spirit: “Yes. They rest from labor. Their deeds follow them.”
c. The Reapers (14:14-20)
i. One like the Son of Man reaps the harvest of the earth.
1. One like the Son of Man sat on a white cloud.
a. He wore a gold crown and carried a sharp sickle.
2. An angel came out of the temple and cried out to Him.
a. “Reap. The hour has come. Earth’s harvest is ripe.”
3. He swung His sickle over the earth and it was reaped.
ii. An angel reaps and presses the clusters of earth.
1. Another angel came out of the temple with a sharp sickle.
2. An angel with power over fire came from the altar.
a. “Put in your sickle; gather the clusters from earth’s vine.”
b. “The grapes are ripe.”
3. The angel swung his sickle and gathered the clusters.
a. He threw them into the winepress of God’s wrath.
b. The grapes were trodden outside the city.
i. Blood came out of the press.
ii. The blood reached horses’ bridles for 200 miles.
2. Preparing the Judgment (15:1-8)
a. Another sign appeared in heaven, great and mighty.
i. Seven angels with the seven last plagues that finish God’s wrath
ii. A glass sea mixed with fire
iii. The victors over the beast standing on the sea with harps
1. They sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb
2. “Great are Your works. Your judgments are manifested.”
b. The temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened.
i. Out came seven angels clothed in linen, gold sashes around chests.
ii. One of living creatures gave angels the seven bowls full of wrath.
iii. The temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power.
iv. No one could enter until the seven plagues of the angels are finished.
c. A voice from the temple: “Go pour out the bowls on the earth.” (16:1)
3. Pouring Out the Judgment (16:1-21)
a. The First Bowl: Loathsome Sores (2)
i. The first bowl was poured out onto the earth.
ii. Sores came on those who worshipped the beast and wore his mark.
b. The Second Bowl: Sea turns to Blood (3)
i. The second bowl was poured out into the sea.
ii. The sea became blood like a corpse, and every living thing in it died.
c. The Third Bowl: Waters turn to Blood (4-7)
i. The third bowl was poured out into the rivers and springs of water.
ii. The waters became blood.
iii. The angel of the waters praised God for His justice.
1. The enemies had poured out the blood of saints and prophets.
2. God had given them blood to drink as they deserved.
iv. The altar said: “True and righteous are Your judgments.”
d. The Fourth Bowl: Scorching Heat (8-9)
i. The fourth bowl was poured out on the sun.
ii. Men were scorched with heat, blasphemed God, and did not repent.
e. The Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain (10-11)
i. The fifth bowl was poured on the throne of the beast.
ii. The kingdom became dark; they gnawed their tongues with pain.
iii. They blasphemed God and did not repent.
f. The Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up (12-16)
i. The sixth bowl was poured out on the great river, the Euphrates.
1. Its water was dried up to prepare the way for kings of the East.
ii. 3 demons like frogs came from the mouths of the dragon and beasts.
1. They gathered the kings of earth for war at Armageddon.
g. The Seventh Bowl: Earth Shaken (17-21)
i. The seventh bowl was poured out into the air.
ii. There was lightning, thunder, and the mightiest earthquake ever.
iii. The great city split into 3 parts; cities of the nations fell.
iv. Every island fled, mountains gone; 100 lb. hailstones fell on men