Revelation 16:1-7 – Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” 2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. 3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. 4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; 6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” 7 And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”
“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” John, in the original language emphasizes that the voice was loud. John does not seem to identify to whom the voice belonged, but the fact that it was loud was surely emphasized to stress that the voice was heard clearly and that it was a voice of authority and power.
Revelation 15:8 had expressed that during the pouring out of these seven plagues no-one could enter the temple of God. Since no-one could enter the temple at this time, we can easily believe that the voice that came from the temple is the voice of God. With the purpose and the message of these plagues, it is easily conceivable that God Himself is speaking. He wants the world to know that these horrible plagues are not something random, but are the direct judgments of God. He tells the angels to pour out the seven bowls of wrath. The worst of punishments of the Great Tribulation are about to be released.
“The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. What immediately comes to mind is when a plague sounding similar to this came to the Egyptians (Exodus 9:8-10). The plague on the Egyptians was temporary however, this plague seems to be permanent. It is not going away as the bowls are poured (see Revelation 16:10-11).
In Egypt the boils only came on the Egyptians and not the children of God. This plague of boils here mentioned likewise hits with pinpoint precision. Who does this missile of disaster hit? It hits those who have: 1) Taken the mark of the beast and 2) those who worshiped the image of the beast. Previous to this, those who had taken the mark of the beast were likely very smug. They could buy and sell what they willed. They had food to eat and beverage to drink. Most were likely very active in turning in those who refused the mark of the beast. They thought themselves wise and practical. Now the reality of their error in going against God’s Word is upon them. These boils are causing them to suffer. Bible commentator John Phillips suggests that these sores are directly related to where the mark of the beast is on the body of the recipient. These are loathsome and painful sores. Ugly to look at and painful to bear. If Phillips is correct, how appropriate that what they thought would save them is the exact point where the sores occurs. If on the hand, or worse on the face, that is where the evil they did by accepting the mark festers on their skin for all to see. They will not then be so proud of their mark. Perhaps the mark that was placed in and on them was cancerous. Either way, how appropriate it would be that these sores may be at the point of their rebellion. Still, all so very sad.
All the judgments in the Great Tribulation bring to mind Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This is what lays in wait for those who refuse God. But for those who love God and have given their lives over to the Lord, we have the promise of eternal peace and joy with our Lord God. Praise God! We anxiously await the return of the Lord and yet, we worry for those who have not yet, or who may never, come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.