B. The First Bowl (16:1-2)
B. THE FIRST BOWL (16:1-2)
The seven angels proceed to pour out their bowls on the earth, thus releasing the seven last plagues. These are described in rather more succinct form than were the seals or the trumpets. There is a similar division, with the first four a group relating to nature, and with an interlude between the sixth and seventh members, though this time it is not so marked (see v.15).
There are some clear resemblances between the plagues in Egypt and the judgments set in motion by the bowls, as also between the latter and the trumpet judgments. But there are also differences, so that Swete can say, ‘The Last Plagues have features peculiar to themselves; the fourth is entirely new, the rest are more or less freshly conceived. On the other hand the differences are deeper and more suggestive. While no personal suffering is inflicted on Man by the first five of the Egyptian plagues or by the first four of the Trumpet-visitations, he is attacked at the very outset of the present cycle. Again, while the first four Trumpet-plagues affect only a third of the earth, the sea, the fresh water supply, and the lights of heaven, no such limitation appears in the account of the Seven Plagues now about to be described. They are not tentative chastisements, but punitive and final.’
1. As often, John hears a voice which he does not identify. It is a loud voice, suitable for the announcement of the release of the last plagues. Here the adjective precedes the noun in the Greek (John usually has it follow the noun) so there is some emphasis on loud. The voice came from the temple, so that it originated with God. Indeed we might go further and reason that the voice must be the very voice of God, for we have just been told that no-one could go into the sanctuary until these judgments were completed (15:8). This seems to exclude angels and others. If this is the way we should understand the passage, John is telling us that the last plagues are released by none less than God. For God’s wrath see the note on 14:10.
2. The first angel went (i.e. ‘went away’, ap
lthen) and poured out his bowl. The impression left by the choice of this verb is that the angels did not, so to speak, step forward and pour out their bowls, then return to their places, but rather that, having discharged their tasks, they disappeared from the scene. The result of the pouring out of the first bowl was that ugly and painful sores appeared on the beast’s adherents. We are reminded of the plague of boils in Egypt (Ex. 9:10-11; cf. Dt. 28:35). The recipients are described as the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped his image. These are the things that specially characterize them and mark them off from other people. There are some evils that afflict those who give themselves over to wickedness but do not affect other people.
lthen) and poured out his bowl. The impression left by the choice of this verb is that the angels did not, so to speak, step forward and pour out their bowls, then return to their places, but rather that, having discharged their tasks, they disappeared from the scene. The result of the pouring out of the first bowl was that ugly and painful sores appeared on the beast’s adherents. We are reminded of the plague of boils in Egypt (Ex. 9:10-11; cf. Dt. 28:35). The recipients are described as the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped his image. These are the things that specially characterize them and mark them off from other people. There are some evils that afflict those who give themselves over to wickedness but do not affect other people.