SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH

REVELATION 15, 16

The seven last plagues represent final judgment that comes with Great Tribulation.  The whole of the bowls of wrath take place during the last  parts of the seals and trumpets.  (probably in time of Seal 6 and Trumpet 6) For the bowls represent full judgment and is the Great Tribulation.

Verses 1-4 indicate that this takes place following the rapture of The Bride.  The seven years of Great Tribulation refers to the seventieth week of the prophetic history of Israel.

NOTE:  THE REASON THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE TROUBLE IN THE TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION OF REVELATION PINPOINTING THE RAPTURE is that it is referred to several times.  Of course, there is only one rapture of The Bride, so each of these references must be aligned to the same chronological time.  For example:  The sealing of the saints in chapter 7; the measuring of the temple in chapter 11, and the harvest of the Earth in chapter 14 all may speak of the same event – the rapture!

1.               Vision of Seven Angels holding Seven Plagues – 15:1-8

            a.                Seven angels introduced - !5:1

            b.               Those who overcame the wrath of the Anti-Christ – 15:2-4

            c.                Angels given seven bowls – 15:5-8

2.               Seven Bowls of Wrath Poured Out – 16:1-19

            a.                The first four bowls bring destruction in the natural realm – 16:1-9

                         i.                 Bowl #1 – Sores on followers of the Beast – 16:1-2

                         ii.               Bowl #2 – Sea becomes as blood – 16:3

                         iii.             Bowl #3 – Rivers become as blood – 16:4-7

                         iv.             Bowl #4 – Sun scorches men – 16:8-9

             b.               Next two bowls destroy domain of the Beast – 16:10-21

                         i.                 Bowl #5 – The Beast’s kingdom darkened – 16:10,11

                         ii.               Bowl #6 – Euphrates dries up; Kings of East gather – 16:12-16

             c.                Bowl #7 – Last phase of Armageddon – 16:17-19

QUESTIONS:

1. In what tense is the “Song of the Overcomers” in 15:2-4?

2. What is indicated by the phrases: “Song of Moses” and “song of the Lamb” in 15:3?  (See Exodus 15:1-18 for "song of Moses".

3. What is meant by “and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed? 15:8 

4. Compare Seal #5 (Rev.6:9ff) and Bowl # 5 (Rev.16:10ff).  Where do they take place?  What is the significance?          

5. Compare Rev. 9:21 (Sixth Trumpet) with Rev. 16:9,11 (fourth and fifth bowls).  What does this suggest about God's purposes in judgement?