Revelation 15 - Introduction

Introduction

This very short chapter and the one to follow introduce the seven vials or bowls containing the wrath of God. In the New King James Version they are called plagues that are contained in golden bowls. This section is one of the most difficult to interpret. There is greater variety of interpretation here than in any other section, with the possible exception of the number 666.

The interpretation I use here should:

1. Be consistent with the interpretation with the rest of the book.

2. Be understood by those who first read and studied this prophecy.

3. Not be applied to any specific event, but show a principle, which is applicable to Christians throughout the Christian age.

The seven angels are instructed to pour out the contents of their bowl. These bowls contain plagues. They are plagues that send out the wrath of God.

In summary, the plagues are seen as harming various parts of creation. Many commentators try to find a parallel with the plagues sent upon Egypt in the book of Exodus. While both sets of plagues come from God, they are very different. The plagues in Egypt were all physical. These final plagues of God’s wrath are spiritual in nature.

Number| Harms| Reference

1 Earth Revelation 16:2

2 Sea Revelation 16:3

3 Rivers Revelation 16:4-7

fountains of

water

4 Sun Revelation 16:8-9

5 Seat of Revelation 16:10-11

the beast

6 Euphrates Revelation 16:12-16

7 Into the air Revelation 16:17-21

Woodruff makes some excellent comments about this chapter. “As this chapter is studied, careful attention must be paid to the interpretation of 11:6 because in it is contained the ideas upon which this entire interpretation is based. Speaking to the “two witnesses,” which represent Christians, 11:6 says, “These have power … to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” Christians have the power to smite the earth with plagues.” (1, 258)