Revelation Chapter 16 Explained: The Seven Vial Judgments and the Battle of Armageddon

The end of Revelation chapter 15 introduces the seven angels in Revelation with their seven plagues. This chapter describes each of the vial judgments. The KJV verse uses the term “vial”, but many modern versions use the term “bowl judgments”. Vials and bowls are different types of containers. So I am sticking with vial judgments, not bowl judgments.

Revelation chapter 16 records all seven of the last set of plagues that the Bible calls “the vial judgments,” which will be administered by seven different angels.

Revelation 16:1-The Divine Command

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. (KJV)

After the seven angels, who were dressed in priestly garments, were each given their individual vial, which was filled with God’s wrath, John heard the voice of God commanding the angels to begin with their terrible work.

Revelation 16:2-The First Vial Judgment-On the Earth

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. (KJV)

The definition of “noisome” is a foul odor, disgusting and repulsive. The skin of these individuals who had taken the mark of the beast will be covered with horrible, painful, and revolting sores. All who do so will be affected, and none of them will be able to get any help or comfort from anyone else. These individuals will not be comfortable in their own skin. They will be foul smelling and will not have any escape.

Revelation 16:3-The Second Vial Judgment-On the Sea

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. (KJV)

The second plague will change the chemistry of the sea. It will not become blood, but the water will be like blood since the Bible says “as the blood…” indicating a comparison. The water will not be able to support natural sea life so all that is in the sea will die. This plague will effectively eliminate all marine food sources.

Revelation 16:4-The Third Vial Judgment-On the Fresh Water Sources

And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. (KJV)

This third plague will focus on freshwater sources; all the fresh water will become blood. The second and third plagues will eliminate all water sources.

Revelation 16:5-Praise of the Angel

And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. (KJV)

After both terrible plagues, which will eliminate life-giving water over all the Earth, the angel of the waters, despite destroying all water, will praise God for His righteousness judgment. The “angel of the waters” is a different from the angels with the vial judgments. This verse raises the interesting question of whether there is an angel assigned to oversee all parts of the natural world.

Revelation 16:6-The Reason

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. (KJV)

The reason for the angel’s praise to God for turning all the water into blood is because those who are left in the world by this time have delighted in killing God’s people. So, God, giving them blood instead of water, is just retribution for their murderous wickedness.

Revelation 16:7-The Agreement of the Angel

And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. (KJV)

Another angel, who will observe this judgment and the exchange between the angel of the waters and God Himself, agrees, and chimes in his own praise to God for His righteous judgments. God is long suffering, and He gives us many chances when it comes to repentance. But for those who refuse to repent, His punishment on them is both severe and justified.

Revelation 16:8-The Fourth Vial Judgment-On the Sun

And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. (KJV)

The fourth plague involves the sun. The pronoun “him” refers to the sun itself. This life-giving orb will be allowed to scorch the already suffering Earth dwellers with burning rays.

Revelation 16:9-The Result

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. (KJV)

The result of the scorching heat of the sun, coupled with the revolting skin condition of those who took the mark of the beast, will not lead these individuals to repentance to God Who is controlling and allowing these plagues, but rather blasphemy.

Revelation 16:10-The Fifth Judgment-On The Beast’s Kingdom

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, (KJV)

The fifth plague will be concentrated on the power center of the beast. God will plunge his kingdom into intense blackness. The darkness will be so intense and oppressive, to get some relief, those in the kingdom of the beast will gnaw their tongues to cause themselves pain to connect their minds with their bodies in the absence of any glimmer of light.

Revelation 16:11-The Blasphemy

“And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” (KJV)

Those living through these plagues will know exactly the Source of their problems, but instead of repenting and calling out to God for mercy, instead, they will blaspheme Him.

Revelation 16:12-The Sixth Vial Judgment

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. (KJV)

The river Euphrates, which is primarily in Iraq, will be miraculously dried up, and will make a straight path for the kings of the east to travel.

Revelation 16:13-The Unclean Spirits

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (KJV)

The unclean spirits that give these world leaders their power resemble frogs. The source of power of this unholy trinity is the unclean spirits, otherwise called “demons” or “devils.”

Revelation 16:14-Spirits of Devils

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (KJV)

This verse gives more information about these unclean spirits. These miracle-working spirits influence all the kings of the Earth. But all they do is still under the control of God. What they do is exactly what God intends for them to do, gather the world leaders and the armies to fight with God.

Revelation 16:15-The Encouragement

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (KJV)

The placement of this verse seems odd. Right in the middle of describing the seven last terrible plagues to visit the Earth, John inserts this verse, which seems to allude to 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and “the day of the Lord.” Here is the verse in its context: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (KJV)

The gathering that the dragon, beast, and false prophet will coordinate with the kings of the Earth is to stop Christ from setting up his kingdom on Earth. The devil knows this, and his world leader knows this, and with their weapons and armies they will confront the Almighty. Yet, with all that they bring against Christ and his armies, they will fail.

The reference to “keeping his garments” is referring to a practice common that was done in the Apostle John’s time. When a guard fell asleep on guard duty, his co-workers would take off his clothes while he slept. When he woke up he would have to walk home naked, or partially naked, showing everyone the shame of his nakedness and “sleeping on the job.”

Revelation 16:16-The Gathering of Armageddon

And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (KJV)

The “he” in this verse is referring to God. But when this gathering occurs, it will be the dragon, beast, and false prophet collectively who will get the idea to gather the kings of the Earth to this location. The place called “Armageddon” is believed to be the plain of Esdraelon, which is located across the center of Israel from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River.

Revelation 16:17-The Seventh Vial Judgment

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. (KJV)

The final angel does not pour God’s judgment on the Earth, like the six prior angels, but rather, into the air. This judgment, and the placement of it — the air, and not the Earth — seems to be a direct judgment on Satan, who is referred to as “the prince and power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2.

Revelation 16:18-The Great Earthquake

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. (KJV)

The result of the seventh vial was a terrible worldwide earthquake, greater than any ever experienced since the world began.

Revelation 16:19-The Dividing

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (KJV)

It seems that “the great city” referred to here is the city of Babylon. Whether Babylon will be rebuilt or it is a figurative name for the kingdom of the beast, this city will be severely and righteously judged by an angry God.

Revelation 16:20-The Worldwide Result

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (KJV)

The effect of this earthquake resulted in every island moving. This will include what is present-day Japan, England, the Philippines, and Hawaii, to name a few densely populated islands. This earthquake will also flatten the present-day mountains, including the Himalayans, which holds the world’s tallest — Mount Everest.

Revelation 16:21-The Great Hail

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (KJV)

Accompanying this earthquake will be hail. But the hailstones, each one of them, not just some of the largest, will weigh at least 60 pounds. These projectiles dropping from the sky will immediately kill those who it will hit. The result of this supernatural judgment, from those affected by it, will be blasphemy rather than repentance.

The Seven Vial Judgements

Vial	Target	Effect
First	The earth	Grievous, painful sores fall on all who bear the mark of the beast.
Second	The sea	The sea becomes like the blood of a dead man; every living creature in it dies.
Third	Rivers and springs	All fresh water sources turn to blood.
Fourth	The sun	Men are scorched with intense, fiery heat.
Fifth	The beast’s throne	The beast’s kingdom is plunged into painful, total darkness.
Sixth	The river Euphrates	The river dries up, preparing the way for the kings of the east and gathering the world’s armies to Armageddon.
Seventh	The air	A voice declares “It is done” — followed by the greatest earthquake in history, the fall of Babylon, and hailstones weighing about 60 pounds.

Download a PDF of the Seven Vial Judgments of Revelation chart here.

Revelation Chapter 16-Bible Study Questions

Revelation Chapter 16-Personal Reflection Question

Of these seven vial judgments, in your opinion, which one is the most fearful?

Revelation Chapter 16-Behind the Scenes Stuff

In studying this chapter, and other parts of Revelation, I found it interesting that those on the Earth will know that God is behind their terrible suffering. But instead of talking to Him, and begging for His mercy to stop their miseries, they will blaspheme Him! But what is comforting is that, no matter what the world leaders do to control the globe, all they will attempt and all they will accomplish are all under the divine control of God. Their ideas, even when they think they have an original thought, will all be part of God’s ultimate plan. God knows all that will happen, and despite the chaos of these seven last plagues He will be in complete control.

The Complete Revelation Bible Study Series

Chapter	Summary
Revelation Chapter 1: John’s Vision of Jesus Christ	John’s vision of the risen Christ standing among seven golden candlesticks on the island of Patmos; Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation Chapter 2: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos & Thyatira	Christ’s messages to four of the seven churches of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea	Christ’s messages to the remaining three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Revelation Chapter 4: John’s Vision of God’s Throne in Heaven	John is caught up to heaven and sees God’s throne room, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures.
Revelation Chapter 5: The Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain	God holds a seven sealed book; but only Jesus Christ, Who is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who was slain, is worthy to open it.
Revelation Chapter 6: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse	The Lamb opens six of the seven seals, releasing the Four Horsemen, the cry of martyrs, and cosmic disturbances.
Revelation Chapter 7: The 144,000 and the Great Multitude	An interlude: 144,000 are sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, and a great multitude in white robes stands before God’s throne.
Revelation Chapter 8: Meaning of the Seven Trumpets	The seventh seal is opened, bringing silence in heaven, followed by the first four trumpet judgments.
Revelation Chapter 9: The Locusts of Abaddon and the 200 Million	The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic locusts led by Abaddon and an army of 200 million horsemen.
Revelation Chapter 10: The Little Book and the Seven Thunders	A mighty angel gives John a little book; the words of seven thunders are sealed; the book is sweet, then bitter.
Revelation Chapter 11: Who Are the Two Witnesses of the Apocalypse?	The ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses; the seventh trumpet sounds.
Revelation Chapter 12: The Woman, the Dragon, the Angel Michael and War in Heaven	A woman, a great red dragon, and a man child; war breaks out in heaven as Michael defeats Satan.
Revelation Chapter 13: The Mark of the Beast and 666 Explained	Two beasts rise — one from the sea, one from the land — introducing the mark of the beast, 666.
Revelation Chapter 14: The 144,000, the Three Angels, and the Harvest of Wrath	The 144,000 stand victorious on Mount Zion; three angels proclaim their messages; the wheat and grape harvests.
Revelation Chapter 15: The Sea of Glass and Song of Moses	Seven angels prepare the seven last plagues; the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb beside a sea of glass.
Revelation Chapter 16: The Seven Vial Judgments and the Battle of Armageddon	The seven vial (bowl) judgments are poured out; the Euphrates dries up, gathering the nations to Armageddon.
Revelation Chapter 17: The Woman on the Beast	A vision of “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” a woman riding a scarlet, seven-headed beast.
Revelation Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great	The sudden fall of Babylon the Great; kings and merchants mourn her destruction while heaven rejoices.
Revelation Chapter 19: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Return	The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; Christ returns as King of Kings and defeats the beast and false prophet.
Revelation Chapter 20: The Millennium, Satan’s Doom, and the Great White Throne	Satan is bound for a thousand years; the Millennium; Satan’s final rebellion; the Great White Throne judgment.
Revelation Chapter 21: The New Jerusalem Described	A new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly city of New Jerusalem descends from God, adorned like a bride.
Revelation Chapter 22: The River of Life and the Bible’s Final Invitation	The river and tree of life; the Bible’s final invitation and the promise and warning; “Surely I come quickly.”

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this Revelation Bible study overview chart here.

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