Revelation 16:4-7

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 52

Text Revelation 16:4-7

4 And the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters; and it became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous art thou, who art and who wast, thou Holy One, because thou didst thus judge: 6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and blood hast thou given them to drink: they are worthy. 7 And I heard the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

Initial Questions Revelation 16:4-7

1.

What necessity of man was effected by the 3rd bowl - Revelation 16:4?

2.

What did the angel of the waters say about God - Revelation 16:5?

3.

With what did God reward the slayers of the saints and prophets - Revelation 16:6?

4.

Who is under the altar according to Revelation 6:9? Discuss the statement in Revelation 16:7 in light of it.

Revelation 16:4

The third bowl was poured out into man's water supply, into the rivers and the fountains of the waters; and it became blood. Man had no water to drink. The anguish caused by a lack of water is one of the most tormenting of human suffering. There was liquid to drink, but it was nothing but sickening blood. The imagery would have been appropriate in the biblical world. Blood played a vital part in the ritual of the mystery religions, and John's readers from Asia minor would have fully understood this symbolism, which is nauseating to most of us.

Revelation 16:5

Immediately following the first three bowls in Revelation 16:5-7 there is heard the voice of the angel of the waters who gives approval of God's judgment. The angel declares that God is holy and everlasting, because you judged (ekrinas - 1st aor. ind. active - God's act of judgment was singular and final) these things. God will not permit evil to persist indefinitely. This is a fundamental part of the Christian's hope in Christ. Righteousness shall prevail, not evil!

Revelation 16:6

The angel continues the charges brought against condemned mankind. Those who receive God's judgment deserve it, because they are responsible for the death of the saints and prophets. This imagery probably includes all those who are guilty of this crime against God's people, and His servants. God gave the guilty ones - blood to drink and they deserve it! (Worthy of it means they deserve it.)

This verse receives a marvelous commentary in Christ's lament over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34). O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! The words of verse six probably apply to Jews and gentiles alike, and should not be limited to this period of Roman persecution.

Revelation 16:7

Here we note a repetition of Revelation 16:4 of the song of the Lamb.

Discussion Questions

See Revelation 16:17-21.