This passage talks about six angels and the six bowls of wrath, and the following passage (vv. 17-21) about the seventh angel and final bowl of wrath. Our God from heaven spoke with a loud voice telling the angels to pour out the seven bowls of His wrath upon the earth. It is a continuation from Chapter 15 where John saw the great and amazing sign in heaven concerning the seven angels and seven plagues or bowls of wrath.

“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.” (15:1) This verse summarizes what God is going to do in the two chapters 15 and 16, telling us the final judgment of God upon the earth. They are “the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.”

The first angel poured out the first bowl of judgment of harmful and painful sores specifically targeted against those who bear the mark of the beast, those who had the number 666 on their right hand or forehead (See 13:16-18). The second angel with the second bowl of God’s plague resembling blood was poured into the sea to cause death upon every living creature in the sea. We can imagine that after some time, the dead corpses of all sea creatures: fishes, crustaceans, sea animals and all kinds of marine organisms floating on top of the sea water covering the sea. This is such a sad and ugly sight, but it would happen as the second plague.

While the second angel poured the bowl into the sea (saltwater seas and oceans) the third angel poured his bowl of wrath into the rivers and springs (freshwater bodies). This symbolizes that God would exact just punishment upon those who had martyred God’s people and prophets, so that when they shed blood, they were made to drink blood. Interestingly, from verses 5-7, we hear the angel proclaiming that God is just in His judgments and then there is a response from the altar affirming that God’s judgments are true and just. As believers in Christ and in the Almighty God, we have the assurance and confidence that the God Whom we serve is the One Who Knows All things, Who Sees and Who is just in all His judgments!

The fourth bowl of God’s wrath was poured on the sun to energize it to the point that it projected fire and a scorching heat upon the people of the earth, and they could not stand the fierce heat. Instead of pleading and praying to the One who had control over the plagues, they cursed His name. They did not repent or give glory to Him. The fifth angel poured his bowl directly upon the throne of the beast. Instead of fire or heat, this time the judgment caused his kingdom to be plunged into darkness, and there were sores and pain, so much so that they gnawed their tongues in anguish. Again, they did not repent of their evil deeds.

The sixth angel poured out his bowl of God’s wrath on the Great River Euphrates to cause it to dry up. This was to prepare for the kings from the East to move into place. And then John saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, and the beast and the false prophet (v.13). These demonic spirits would rally all the kings of the world to gather for battle on the great day of the Almighty God. The place of this great battle is at Armageddon (v. 16). An interesting mention here is that these demonic spirits were able to perform miraculous signs to convince the kings of the world to follow them into battle (v.15). Here again is a caution to believers to test every spirit and not to believe in any spirit even though they might appear to possess spiritual powers.

After the six plagues or bowls of God’s wrath and judgment poured out upon the earth, there was a sudden interlude when the voice from heaven spoke again. Even though it was not specifically mentioned, I believe the voice was the voice of Jesus who said he would come like a thief. Our Lord Jesus and the Apostles mentioned that he would come like a thief on the day of the Lord. (Rev. 3:3; Matt. 24:42-44; 1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Peter 3:10)

The idea (or significance) of this phrase: “come like a thief” refers to BOTH the certainty of His coming and the uncertainty of the time. There is a Day in future that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. It calls for us to believe and be assured of this truth – that He would surely come again. At the same time, it calls for us to be prepared and ever ready because we simply do not know when He is coming.

And to keep our garments on (v. 15) – the garments of purity and holiness that Christ has secured for us, so that we might not go about naked and exposed. This verse in the last book of the Bible reminds me of an incident in the first book of the Bible, in Genesis, where Adam and Eve realized that they were naked and exposed and sewed fig leaves for themselves. God was gracious and made skins to clothe them through the first sacrifice of an animal. (Gen. 3:7, 21)

Our Lord’s promise of blessedness is for everyone who stays awake in their faith and those who are careful to keep their garments with them. Let us heed the warnings of our Lord, to stay awake spiritually, and not be found in spiritual slumber or lethargy. Let us continue to be on our guard by keeping the garments of purity and holiness upon our soul. This is not going to be easy because the rest of the world will not believe in the Lamb who has been slain for them, but they will continue to indulge in all sorts of sins, and even treating them as normal and okay. In such a time as this, will the Lord find us faithful?

Dear God and Righteous Judge of all, thank you that you are the Just God who judges all peoples according to your justice, righteousness, and holiness. Thank you that you have clothed me with your garment of purity and holiness so that in Christ I am saved and safe. You have said, in the world there will be tribulation, but in you I will have peace. Please continue to lead and guide me to walk in your righteous ways and experience the peace that only you could give. These I pray in Christ’s holy name. Amen!