Revelation 16:5-6

And I heard the angel of the waters saying:

“You are righteous, O Lord,

The One who is and who was and who is to be,

Because You have judged these things.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

And You have given them blood to drink,

For it is their just due.”

• ·        The two oracles in this passage (v. 5-6, v. 7) agree with God that His judgment was “just, true and righteous”.

• ·        The angel declares “You are righteous”, as God’s judgments are not only fair payment to the wicked and necessary to stop them, but they are helpful in waking up sinners to salvation (Isa. 26:9). God’s judgments are never too lenient or severe. They are never too late or too early. They are altogether right in every way.

Psalm 145:17  The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.

Ezekiel 39:17  ……..that you may eat flesh and drink blood.”

Revelation 16:4

Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

• ·        This complete contamination is in contrast to the partial (one-third) pollution of fresh waters shown in Revelation 8:10-11.  (DG)

• ·        When these judgments come, the time must be very short until the return of Jesus. With ecological disaster such as this, the human race cannot survive long.  (DG)

Ezekiel 16:38  And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy.

Isaiah 49:26  I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine, all flesh shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior; and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Revelation 16:3

Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

• ·        The sea will become thickened like the congealed blood of a dead man. It will kill all the marine life in the sea causing unimaginable stench and destroying the sea trade along with its food supply.  Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

• ·        The fish and shipping industry will be destroyed causing a disruption of maritime commerce and previous prosperity. It is possible that the “sea” here may refer to the Mediterranean Sea which was the focal point in Daniel 7:2-8.

Exodus 7:17  thus says the LORD:  By this you shall know that I am the LORD.  Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood.

Psalm 78:44  Turned their rivers into blood, and their streams, that they could not drink.