Seventh Bowl of Wrath
The seventh bowl brings wrath to the air when the bowl is poured out. It will be like a thunder storm with a great earthquake that destroys cities in the world.
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.
If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.
17. The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air
“The one element that had escaped in all the plagues so far was the atmosphere…The most necessary ingredient for human life is struck.” (Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. [Nashville: B&H, 1998], 291)
There is a loud voice coming from the throne. It is the voice of God.
“‘It is done’ announces the climax of the final Day of the Lord that will spread doom over the entire globe.” (MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. [Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000], 151)
This is the second time Jesus said this.
John 19:30 “It is finished.”
“For those who have refused God’s salvation, there is nothing they can do to escape the judgment of God.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 1028)
“Revelation 15:1 had pledged that these seven plagues were to complete the wrath of God; now God himself confirms this.” (Easley, 291)
18. We have all been in a thunderstorm with lightning. It can be frightening.
This one will be especially scary.
Instead of voices NIV uses rumblings. It will be noisy.
“This great earthquake will be unique in that God will shake the globe, as prophesied in Haggai 2:6 and Hebrews 12:26-26.” (MacArthur, 152)
Great City
19. MacArthur and Easley disagree as to what great city John is referring to:
“A comparison with 11:8 clearly identifies the great city as Jerusalem, ‘the great city…where also [the] Lord was crucified.” (MacArthur, 152)
McGee agrees with MacArthur, “This concludes the Great Tribulation Period. There is a great earthquake, and it divides the ‘great city,’ which is Jerusalem.” (1028)
Easley indicates the Great City is Babylon the Great. (NIV)
“The three words God remembered Babylon [NIV] are sad beyond words.” (Easley, 292)
I will let you decide if it is Babylon or Jerusalem.
Easley adds “this is the end for the monster’s kingdom. His city split into three parts, that is into total ruin.” (292)
“His entire world empire fell too: the cities of the nations fell.” (Easley, 292)
MacArthur does discuss Babylon speaking of the wreckage:
“Specifically singled out is Babylon the great, which was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.” (NASB1995) (152)
We will learn more about Babylon in chapters 17 and 18. (McGee, 1029)
20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. [both NASB1995, and KJV]
“Islands, which are undersea mountains, will disappear and the mountains on land will be flattened (cf. Isaiah 40:4).” (MacArthur, 153)
Great Hail
21.“The size of the hailstones is enormous—‘a talent weight.’ The Greek talent was fifty-six pounds, and the Jewish talent was one hundred fourteen pounds.” (McGee, 1029)
Those who have escaped up to now will not escape the hailstones.
And guess what the people did. They blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great!
“Those who by faith trust in Christ alone for salvation will escape both God’s eschatological wrath (3:10) and His eternal wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). They will not face judgment, because their sins were judged when Jesus died in their place on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24). In light of the inevitable judgment to come, the warning to all unrepentant sinners is ‘Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts’ (Hebrews 4:7).” (MacArthur, 154)
Want to know how to Accept Jesus as your personal Savior?
References
Unless otherwise noted: Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version.
Scripture quotations taken from the NIV. Copyright by Biblica, Inc.®
Scripture quotations marked NASB1995 are Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. Nashville: B&H, 1998
MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
Seat of the Beast Babylon the Harlot
