By: Tom Lowe Date: 1/31/17
Series: Verse By Verse Through Revelation
Title: First bowl: Sores on those who worshiped the *beast and his image (16:1-2)
Revelation 16:1-2 (KJV)
1 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.”
2 The first *angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the *beast and worshiped its image.
Commentary
1 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.”
“Then I heard a loud voice from the *temple.” All things have been prepared; the *angels have received their instructions from God (or Christ), and the bowls filled with the wrath of God, by one of the four living creatures—“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” (Revelation 15:7).
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John heard a great voice emanating from the *temple; it commands the *angels to pour out their bowls “on the earth;” later on, the voice is heard saying, “It is done” (Revelation 16:17). There the voice is said to come from the *throne; it seems likely that this voice and the voice in the first verse is the same—the divine voice from the *throne itself.
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This event, and the remaining judgments, belongs to the period when the term of the *beast's power has expired, and close to the end, or coming of the Son of man. And it may be further observed, that these bowls are only poured out on the enemies of God and of Christ, and of His church and people; for no wrath can be poured out upon the saints, not a single drop can fall upon them, because that would not be consistent with God's everlasting love for them.
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“Go” your respective ways, and fulfill the task assigned to each of you.
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“Pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath.” God told the seven *angels to go and to empty the bowls on the earth. The bowls contained the anger of God. In other words, the people would know how angry God was because of the bowls. When each *angel poured each bowl, there would be terrible troubles on the earth. It was as if the bowls contained the actual troubles.
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Please remember, that at this time in the tribulation, the Lord's wrath is in full force! No more "mister nice guy" to those whom have rejected the Savior: the inhabitants of the earth being ripe for those judgments which the justice of God had appointed for their punishment. The punishment will be upon *antichrist, the vengeance of God will fall upon those that have the mark of the *beast, and the worshipers of his image, and it is easy to observe, that there is in many of these bowls an allusion to the plagues of Egypt. Note the comparison:
In the first bowl (Revelation 16:2), to the plague of boils (Exodus 9:8).
In the second and third bowls (Revelation 16:3), to that of turning the waters of Egypt into blood (Exodus 7:19).
In the fourth bowl (Revelation 16:10), to the darkness that was over all the land of Egypt (Exodus 10:21).
In the fifth bowl, there is an obvious reference to the frogs that distressed the Egyptians (Exodus 8:5).
In the seventh bowl, to the plague of hail (Exodus 9:23)
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Each bowl has almost the same effect as the corresponding plague, even the hardening of those on whom they fall, for they are far from being brought to repentance by them (Revelation 16:9). The plagues of Egypt came quickly one after another, so it would seem that the pouring out of these bowls would occur in the same manner; the *angels receive them together, and get their orders at the same time; and then they go forth immediately, one after another, if not together, to the respective locations where they are to pour them out, and which they do promptly (Revelation 16:8). Furthermore, these bowls will affect *Antichrist both with respect to his civil and ecclesiastic capacity.
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“On the earth” (Lit., into the earth; here and in the next verse). The particular part of the earth is not specified here, but it should not be inferred that it was to be poured out upon the earth in general, or that there were any unexpected calamities as a consequence of this pouring out of the bowls of wrath, causing them to spread over the whole world. The subsequent statements show what parts of the earth were particularly to be affected. Here “the earth” seems to mean the lower world generally, but in other verses, the dry land only.
2 The first *angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the *beast and worshiped its image.
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“The first *angel went and poured out his bowl on the land.” The *Greek word for “went” means “went away”—literally, went away, from the *angels’ place in Heaven before the *Temple to the edge or “window” where they can look down upon the earth. It should be noted that though these bowls are plagues upon *antichrist, they are, more importantly, steps leading to the advancement of Christ's kingdom and glory.
When the *angel arrived at his appointed place of duty John observed him “pour out his bowl on the land,” that is, upon the land, as opposed to the sea, the rivers, the air, the seat of the *beast, the sun, which will be represented in the other bowls. In Revelation 16:1, the word earth is used in the general sense to denote this world as distinguished from heaven; in this verse the word “land” is used specifically to distinguish it from other things. In many respects there is a strong resemblance between the pouring out of those seven bowls, and the sounding of the seven trumpets in Revelation 8-9, though they refer to different events. The narrative pertaining to the first *angel is described almost in the same words as that sixth plague of the Egyptians in Exodus 9:9.
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As we follow the narration of John it will become more and more apparent that the apostle is describing the series of judgments, which would terminate in the complete overthrow of the devil’s reign of power. It is the first of the bowls of wrath, and the whole description evidently contemplates a series of disasters, which would be properly represented by these successive bowls, therefore, we should look for the future application of this first judgment, and should expect to find some facts in history which would be properly represented by the bowl "poured upon the earth."
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Though the plague was poured upon "the earth," yet its effects were seen upon "men." Some grievous calamity would befall them, as if they were suddenly infected with the plague.
“And ugly, festering sores broke out on the people.” The word “ugly” (evil, bad) is used here to characterize the plague referred to as being especially painful and dangerous. The word “festering” (bad, malignant, hurtful) is used to increase the intensity of the expression, and to characterize the plague as particularly severe. There is no reason to suppose that this would be literally inflicted, anymore than it is in the next plague, where it is said that the "rivers and fountains became blood." What is obviously meant is that there would be some calamity which would be well represented or symbolized by such a fearful plague. Bible scholars have suggested that this plague may be a sore, ulcer, or boil of a severe and painful nature. In the case of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:7; Isaiah 38:21), it was probably used to denote a "plague-boil," or the black leprosy. However, it is impossible to say with certainty what particular judgment upon the ungodly is intended to be signified by this plague. From amongst the numerous interpretations which have been given to illustrate this passage, we may mention the following: aids, boils, scab of leprosy, sores, and blotches all over, which will render them repulsive to the people. It has been suggested that the plague could be something internal, such as the remorse of their consciences, reflections on their past practices, and black despair and horror of mind; and their madness, wrath, and fury.
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“Who had the mark of the *beast and worshiped its image.” This determines the portion of the earth that was to be afflicted. It was not the whole world; it was only that part of it where the "*beast" was honored. Therefore this first vial is subsequent to the period of the *beast's rule.
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At the end of time, all people will have to be loyal either to the **beast or to Christ. The anger of God is against those loyal to the **beast. Notice also that this first bowl does not affect those who have refused to accept the mark of the *beast!
Definitions
angel ~ a servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
Antichrist ~ a powerful ruler who imitates and opposes Christ. The Book of Revelation also describes the Antichrist as ‘the beast’. The Antichrist hates Christ. The Bible also refers to many antichrists. These are people who hate Christ like the Antichrist.
beast ~ an animal. In this Book of Revelation, the beasts describe Satan, Antichrist and the false prophet.
Greek ~ the original language of the New Testament.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things.
Messiah ~ God promised the Jews that a special person would come to save them. That person is the Messiah. Jesus is that Messiah but the Jews did not believe it. Messiah is a *Hebrew word. In the *Greek language, the word is Christ. The word in both languages means anointed (that is, God chose him and sent him).
Scripture ~ the books of the Bible.
temple ~ a special building for the *worship of God. The *Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the *worship of the real God. But at other temples, people *worshiped false gods.
throne ~ the special chair for the king or for an important person.
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