What Devastation will the Seven Plagues Create?
The seven bowls containing the seven plagues are emptied in sequence, rapidly—in a short period of time.
The plagues are judgments and are somewhat parallel to the plagues on Egypt (Exodus Chapters 7 through12) and to the trumpets (Revelation Chapters 8 and 9).
However, the contents of the bowls are more total and universal in their effects than were the trumpets, and generally affect people more directly.
What follows are the plagues released by the trumpeting angels and from the seven bowls. These compare to the plagues which God released upon Pharaoh. Just as God kept hardening Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus, the offenders spoken of in Revelation will not repent either.
God’s warnings are consistent!
First Bowl / Egypt Plagues
Revelation 16:1-2
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls [seven vials] of the wrath of God on the earth.” So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast [the Antichrist] and those who worshiped his image.
Exodus 9:9
“And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt,” and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.
Second Bowl and Plague of the Seven Plagues
Revelation 16:3
Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
Third Bowl / Egypt Plagues
Revelation 16:4
Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
Exodus 7:17-18
‘Thus says the LORD: “By this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river.’”
Moses
Exodus 7:19-20
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’” And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
Fourth Bowl / Egypt Plagues
God covered the light of the sun over Egypt to further harden Pharaoh’s heart, and He will also display power over the sun to cause extreme heat when the fourth bowl is poured out:
Revelation 16:8-9
Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Fifth Bowl / Egypt Plagues
Revelation 16:10-11Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast [the Antichrist], and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Exodus 10:22
So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.
Sixth Bowl / Egypt Plagues
Revelation 16:12-14
Then sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Eūphrātēs, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon [Satan], out of the mouth of the beast [Antichrist], and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle [Armageddon] of that great day of God Almighty.
Exodus 8:4
“And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants.”
Seventh Bowl / Egypt Plagues
Revelation 16:16
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” …
Revelation 16:21
And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent [80 to 100 pounds!]. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
Revelation 8:7
The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood…
Exodus 9:24
So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
After all these plagues men still didn’t repent!
Indeed, God is consistent with His warnings…as so He is…in keeping all His promises.
Malachi 3:6a
“For I am the LORD, I do not change;”
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The Seven Seals – What Happens When the Seven Seals are Opened?
Seven Thunders – What is the Meaning of the Seven Thunders?
The Seven Trumpets – What Happens When the Seven Trumpets Sound?
Seven Bowls – What will the Angels do with the Seven Bowls?
Resources:
Uplook Ministry – Fireside Friday by Jabe Nicholson
Gospel Folio Press – William MacDonald – Believers Bible Commentary
Warren Henderson Publishing
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