Bowl 3 of 7 · Revelation 16:4–7
The Third Bowl
The third angel pours his bowl into the rivers and springs of water. They become blood.
John hears the angel of the waters declare that God is righteous in bringing this judgment.
Why is the judgment called just?
The angel says that those being judged shed the blood of God's people and prophets. Now God has given them blood to drink.
John hears the altar answer: God's judgments are true and righteous.
Righteous means right and just. The passage connects this judgment with the killing of God's people.
Pause and notice
Which waters change in this scene? What reason does the angel give for the judgment? Consider privately or discuss with someone reading beside you.
Look back at the passage
Rivers and springs become blood. The angel says those being judged shed the blood of God's people and prophets.
Explore the Scripture and artwork
The previous bowl affected the sea. This bowl affects rivers and springs. These are separate scenes in John's vision.
The waters becoming blood follow the passage. The mountain landscape, angel's wings, and red stream visibly pouring from the bowl are artistic choices.
John describes hearing the altar speak in verse 7. The distant heavenly structure is an artistic suggestion, not a detailed description supplied by these verses.
Christians differ on the vision's historical application. This exhibit assigns no modern date or location.
Read Revelation 16:4–7 ↗Scripture opens in a new tab.
Next: the bowl poured onto the sun. Revelation 16:8–9.
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