The Bowls of Judgment

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

Revelation 15:1-8 – Seven angels prepare to pour out seven more judgments upon the earth. John hears the victors over the antichrist singing a song of praise to God.

1. Seven angels with seven plagues filled with God’s wrath (Revelation 15:1)
2. Saved people in triumph over the beast (Revelation 15:2-4)
   1. A sea of glass mixed with fire (Revelation 15:2a)
   2. Those victorious standing on the sea (Revelation 15:2b-4)
      1. Holding harps of God (Revelation 15:2b)
      2. Heralding the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:3-4) singing about…
         1. Your works.
         2. Your ways.
         3. Your self.
3. Seven performers now ready to proclaim (Revelation 15:5-6)
   1. The temple is open (Revelation 15:5)
   2. The angels appear in white linen with golden sashes (Revelation 15:6)
4. Smoke permeates the temple from the glory of God (Revelation 15:7-8) literally, the sanctuary, the inner place of the tabernacle.
   1. One of the four living creatures hands the angels their bowls (Revelation 15:7)
   2. No one could enter the temple until the bowl judgments are finished (Revelation 15:8)

Revelation 16:1-21 – The seven angels pour out their seven bowls of judgment.

1. Bowl 1 – (Revelation 16:1-2)
   1. Place: poured out on the earth.
   2. Punishment: horrible malignant sores on those who received the mark.
2. Bowl 2 – (Revelation 16:3)
   1. Place: poured out on the seas.
   2. Punishment: waters become blood. killing all life in them.
3. Bowl 3 – (Revelation 16:4-7)
   1. Place: poured out on the rivers and springs.
   2. Punishment: these fresh waters become blood.
   3. Proclamation: the reason, to avenge the blood of the martyrs.
4. Bowl 4 – (Revelation 16:8-9)
   1. Place: poured out on the sun.
   2. Punishment: the sun scorches all the people with fire.
   3. Perversion: they respond by cursing God, refusing to repent.
5. Bowl 5 – (Revelation 16:10-11)
   1. Place: poured out on the throne of the beast.
   2. Punishment: his entire kingdom is plunged into darkness.
   3. Perversion: the people still refuse to repent.
6. Bowl 6 – (Revelation 16:12-16)
   1. Place: poured out on the river Euphrates, and the waters dry up. How does this compare to Revelation 9:15?
   2. Punishment: demons deceive the kings of the east to march their armies past the Euphrates, preparing for Armageddon. Notice the unholy trinity in Revelation 16:13-16.
   3. Promise: a blessing to those who prepare their hearts for Christ’s return (keeping their clothing and are without shame).
7. Bowl 7 – (Revelation 16:17-21)
   1. Place: poured out into the air.
   2. Proclamation: a voice from the temple saying, “it is done.”
   3. Punishment:
      1. History’s greatest earthquake ever.
      2. Babylon split into three parts, drink from the cup of God’s wrath.
      3. Island fled away and mountains were not found.
      4. Hailstones of 100 lbs fell on men.
   4. Perversion: man blasphemed God because of the hail.

NOTES:

1. Up until now, the judgments have been partial, now it is complete, even using the phrase, “it is done” or “it is finished.”
2. What are two attribute of God in Revelation 15:8?
3. Comparing the first six trumpets with the first six bowls… earth, sea, waters, sun. Why the similarity?
4. The word “great” appears in chapter 16. In what ways are the bowl judgments the most severe?
5. Who are “they” in Revelation 16:10?
6. Why the parenthetical statement of Revelation 16:15?
7. What is the history and significance of the Valley of Megiddo? (see gotquestions.org)
8. Kings of Saints (Revelation 15:3) saints should be understood as nations.
9. No One May Enter the Temple (Revelation 15:8) when God turns loose his fury and wrath, it’s best to stand back and just let him have at it.
10. Armegeddon (Revelation 16:16) Har Megiddo (hill of Megiddo) located southwest of the Sea of Galilee (a number of battles happened here, Judges 4, 7).
11. Weight of a Talent (Revelation 16:21) the weight of 100 lbs.
12. The Revelation is concerned with these topics: the physical world of nature, the hearts, minds, and bodies of people, local and world governments.
13. What encourages you about the many partial punishments happening before this final series of judgments? What may be God’s purposes for such an extension?