Bible Commentaries

15:1-16:21 THE SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH

The many visions so far recorded in Revelation have pictured God's judgments in many ways, each time adding a little more detail as the climax approaches. The visions of the seven bowls of God's wrath (or the seven last plagues) repeat to some extent what has been said before, but they place more emphasis on the climax. The end has come. People have not heeded God's warnings, nor have they repented. All that remains for them now is the terrible experience of God's holy wrath.

Preparing to pour out the bowls (15:1-8)

Before describing the seven plagues, John has a vision of Christians who have triumphantly come through the time of suffering. Their deliverance from the forces of the antichrist is similar to, though far greater than, Israel's deliverance from Egypt in the time of Moses. In contrast to those who have been deceived and impressed by the miraculous deeds of the antichrist, Christians are impressed with the wonderful deeds of God, the one who is holy, just and true, the almighty King (15:1-4).

The scene returns to the place where the final trumpet vision concluded, God's heavenly temple (5; cf. 11:15,19). This indicates that just as the seventh seal led to the visions of the seven trumpets (see 8:1-2), so the seventh trumpet leads to the visions of the seven bowls.

Seven angels dressed in white come out of God's heavenly dwelling place to receive the bowls containing the judgments. This signifies that the judgments come from God, and whatever comes from him is pure and holy (6-7). While this work of judgment is going on, no one can enter God's presence to ask for his mercy. Judgment can no longer be avoided or postponed. It is certain (8).