Bowl 5 of 7 · Revelation 16:10–11
The Fifth Bowl
The fifth angel pours his bowl onto the throne of the beast. Its kingdom is plunged into darkness.
People gnaw their tongues because of their pain. They curse the God of heaven because of their pains and sores.
But they do not repent of their deeds.
Understand the words
A throne is a ruler's seat. Here, the bowl is poured onto the beast's throne, and darkness covers its kingdom.
To gnaw means to bite repeatedly. John describes people biting their tongues because of pain.
To repent means to turn away from wrongdoing and toward God. The passage says they do not turn away from their deeds.
Pause and notice
Where is the fifth bowl poured? What happens to the beast's kingdom? Do the people repent?
Look back at the passage
The bowl is poured onto the beast's throne. Its kingdom becomes dark. The people curse God and do not repent of their deeds.
Explore the Scripture and artwork
The beast's throne, darkness, pain, and sores follow the passage. The throne's design, buildings, banners, mountains, and people's appearance are artistic choices.
The empty throne is an artistic arrangement. These verses do not say that the beast has abandoned it.
The sores recall the first bowl. The fifth bowl's distinctive event is darkness over the beast's kingdom.
Christians differ on the beast's identity and the vision's historical application. This exhibit does not identify a modern nation or ruler as the beast's kingdom.
Read Revelation 16:10–11 ↗Scripture opens in a new tab.
Next: The Euphrates dries up, and kings are gathered. Revelation 16:12–16.
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