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The Seven Bowls of
Wrath
(Revelation 16:1–16)
Introduction:
Revelation 16 reveals God’s complete and final judgment upon
the wicked Roman Empire that persecuted His people. These
bowls of wrath represent the full measure of His justice
poured out without restraint. Text: Revelation 16:1–16.
God’s Righteous
Judgment Revealed
In Revelation 15, the saints were seen rejoicing in victory.
Their triumph was certain, their hope secure. Now, the
vision shifts to God’s wrath upon their enemies. The Roman
Empire had defied the living God and oppressed His people,
but the Lord would soon bring it to ruin. John records this
vision to assure Christians in the first century that God
had not forgotten their suffering. His justice would be
perfect, His timing sure.
The Meaning of the
Bowls
Each angel received a bowl of divine wrath to pour upon the
earth. These judgments symbolize God’s full and final
punishment of the Roman world. Earlier trumpet judgments in
Revelation warned of partial destruction—one-third of the
land, one-third of the sea. But here the wrath is total.
God’s mercy had been extended; repentance had been offered.
Now, the time for warning was past. The bowls depict
complete retribution upon a rebellious empire.
The First Four
Bowls — Natural Judgments upon Rome
The first angel poured out his bowl upon the land, and
painful sores came upon those who bore the mark of the
beast—those who worshiped the Roman emperors and
participated in idolatry. The second bowl was poured upon
the sea, which turned to blood like that of a dead man. The
third angel poured his bowl upon the rivers and springs, and
they too became blood. The fourth angel poured his bowl upon
the sun, and men were scorched with heat. These images
recall the plagues upon Egypt in Exodus, showing that the
same God who once delivered His people from Pharaoh was now
delivering them from Rome. The physical symbols point to
real consequences—natural disasters, famine, pestilence, and
calamities that weakened Rome’s power. Each judgment was
measured, just, and purposeful. Yet instead of repenting,
the people blasphemed God. Their hearts, hardened like
Pharaoh’s, refused to change.
The Fifth and
Sixth Bowls — Internal Corruption and External Threats
The fifth angel poured his bowl upon the throne of the
beast, and his kingdom was filled with darkness. This
pictures moral collapse and confusion within Rome’s own
leadership. Their wickedness and arrogance consumed them
from within. Even in pain, they cursed God instead of
humbling themselves. The sixth angel poured his bowl upon
the great river Euphrates, drying it up to make way for the
kings of the east. This represented God allowing foreign
powers, such as the Parthians, to rise and threaten Rome’s
borders. The empire that had once conquered others would now
face destruction from outside forces. Through both natural
and political means, God was dismantling the might of Rome.
The Gathering for
Battle — The Great Day of God Almighty
John then saw three unclean spirits, like frogs, coming from
the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These demonic
influences deceived rulers across the empire, drawing them
into a great conflict. This is described as the battle of
Armageddon, symbolizing the final struggle between good and
evil. Rome sought allies to resist the inevitable, but God’s
judgment could not be stopped. In the midst of this vision,
Jesus gives a solemn warning: “Behold, I am coming as a
thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments.”
Only those who remain faithful and pure will be ready when
He comes. The Lord’s return will surprise the unprepared,
but those who walk in righteousness will not be overtaken.
The Lesson for All
Generations
Rome’s downfall stands as a testimony to the justice of God.
Nations rise and fall, but His kingdom endures forever.
Those who rebel against Him invite ruin; those who trust and
obey Him will triumph eternally. The faithful of the first
century were comforted by this truth, and we are
strengthened by it today. God still reigns. His judgments
are righteous. His people are secure.
The Seven Bowls of
Wrath Sermon Outline:
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Introduction
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Main text:
Revelation
16:1–16
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Theme: The
final, complete judgment of God upon Rome.
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Connection to
Revelation 15: Victory for the saints precedes
judgment on the wicked.
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I. The Context
of Judgment
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II. The Nature
of the Bowls
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Represent full
and final wrath.
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Trumpets
offered warning; bowls bring completion.
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No repentance
remains (Revelation 16:1).
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III. The First
Four Bowls: Natural Judgments
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First Bowl
– Pain and affliction on idolaters (v.2).
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Second
Bowl – The sea turns to blood (v.3).
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Third Bowl
– Rivers and springs turned to blood; divine justice
declared (vv.4–7).
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Fourth
Bowl – Men scorched with heat; they
blaspheme instead of repent (vv.8–9).
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IV. The Fifth
and Sixth Bowls: Darkness and Division
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Fifth Bowl
– Darkness over the throne of the beast; spiritual
blindness and despair (vv.10–11).
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Sixth Bowl
– Euphrates dries up; preparation for invasion by
eastern kings (v.12).
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Symbolic of God
using internal decay and external threats to bring
Rome down.
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V. The
Deception and the Gathering (vv.13–16)
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Unclean spirits
symbolize corruption, false teaching, and political
deceit.
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Armageddon
represents the great spiritual conflict between
truth and evil.
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Jesus’ warning:
“Behold, I come as a thief” (Matthew 24:43–44).
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VI. The Message for the Church
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Remain watchful
and pure (Revelation 16:15).
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God’s justice
always prevails (Revelation 16:5–7).
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The faithful
need not fear, for the Lord will deliver His own (2
Peter 2:9).
Call to Action:
Stay faithful to Christ
and be ready for His coming. The world’s kingdoms will fall,
but God’s kingdom stands forever. Do not allow sin or
worldly power to blind you. Keep your garments white, your
heart pure, and your faith steadfast. The Lord’s coming will
bring either eternal life or eternal loss—depending on how
we have lived.
Key Takeaways:
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God’s judgments are
always just and complete (Revelation
16:5–7).
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Sin hardens hearts
and blinds minds (Romans
1:21–28).
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Earthly powers rise
and fall, but God’s kingdom endures (Daniel
4:17).
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Watchfulness and
purity are essential to readiness (Revelation
16:15).
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The faithful will
share in eternal victory (Revelation
2:10).
Scripture Reference
List:
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Revelation
16:1–16 – The seven bowls of God’s wrath.
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Revelation
15:1–4 – The song of victory preceding
judgment.
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Exodus 7–12
– The plagues on Egypt as background imagery.
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Romans 12:19
– “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
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Matthew
24:43–44 – The Lord comes as a thief to the
unprepared.
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1
Thessalonians 5:2–4 – The faithful will not be
overtaken by surprise.
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Daniel 4:17
– God rules in the kingdoms of men.
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Revelation
2:10 – “Be faithful unto death, and I will give
you the crown of life.”
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
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The
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