Revelation Friday Night Bible Study 12JUN26 (Revelation 16:3-7)

The Second Angel

 

“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” (Revelation 16:3).

 

            On June 12, 2026, ZME Science published an article about San Carlos, a popular fishing lake in Arizona, which had to close its waters to public fishing due to a massive fish die-off. According to the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department, the lake would remain closed until further notice due to the potential health risk to visitors. Experts say that this was caused by drought conditions combined with water releases from the dam, resulting in 100% of the fish dying.  To further explain, experts say that this resulted in fish being packed into shallow, warm water, which carries less oxygen than cold water, causing the crowded fish to consume it quickly, along with algae and other organic matter.[1]

 

The Apostle John witnessed the second angel pouring out his bowl on the sea. It turned to blood, and every living thing died in it. Man has refused to obey his Creator, and these judgments are a result of disobedience. Similarly, Pharaoh was given this same judgment as the penalty for his rebellion. The Bible says: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the river. Confront him on the bank of the Nile, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. Then say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. But until now, you have not listened. This is what the Lord says: By this, you will know that I am the Lord: With the staff that is in my hand, I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water’ ” (Exodus 7:14-18). Pharaoh had hardened his heart against the Lord, and many today have done the same. Therefore, one of the punishments that God gives to the wicked to get their attention and for them to know He is the true God is to allow sea life to die because this is a source of food, and the sea is also used for various means of travel for the distribution of goods, resources, and services. Nevertheless, God’s judgments are never meant to be cruel but to let the sinner know and understand the error of his ways.  Jesus Christ came to shed His blood for our sins. However, many in the world have rejected Him. Therefore, those who do not accept Him will suffer judgment due to their choices.

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[1] Tudor Tarita, "A Famous Arizona Fishing Lake Has Been Closed Indefinitely After Almost Every Fish Died," ZME Science, last modified June 12, 2026, https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/climate/a-famous-arizona-fishing-lake-has-been-closed-indefinitely-after-almost-every-fish-died/.

 

 

The Third Angel

 

“The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 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; for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.’ And I heard the altar respond: ‘Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments”

(Revelation 16:4-7).

 

            John saw yet another angel emptying his bowl onto the rivers and other sources of water, which turned into blood. These contaminated springs would affect people even more because they would include drinking water, leading to waterborne illnesses, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritations, and dehydration. Millions of people in homes, hospitals, prisons, jails, schools, long-term care facilities, and more would be affected. This is not to mention the homeless, who would be even more susceptible to hardship, but not because of injustice.

           The angel then proclaimed the holiness and justice of God because the wicked were receiving due punishment for their sins of rebellion and the shedding of the blood of the saints. God will punish all of those who killed His holy people. God will give them blood to drink because they shed the blood of innocent people who had done no wrong but only wanted to serve Him. The Bible says:  “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community” (Proverbs 6:16-19). God detests those who shed innocent blood. In the news, some terrorists are shedding the blood of others just because they are Christians. Their ability to kill without any mercy is brutal. However, they will receive their due punishment in the end if they do not turn their hearts to God and repent of their wickedness. Not only will terrorists receive due judgment, but those who have been an accessory to abortion by murdering innocent children who may have been pastors, prophets, evangelists, nurses, doctors, or whatever else God would have led them to be. Regardless of what the government says, abortion is murder. There have been millions of babies killed through abortion who never got the chance to fulfill their God-ordained destiny. Every life is precious, and God values each one.

God will also deal with those who have killed people spiritually. Many leaders are guilty of spiritual malpractice and abuse. They have mishandled and withheld the truth from God’s people to pursue dishonest gain, thus killing people spiritually, emotionally, verbally, financially, and even physically. The Bible says: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock” (Ezekiel 34:2-3). False teachers and many of their congregants have persecuted the true believers of God for popularity, fame, greed, and deception. Yet, the day will come when they will be held to account for their wicked ways. The Bible says: “For God will not be mocked, and whatever a man sows, he will reap” (Galatians 6:7).

 

Revelation Friday Night Bible Study 05JUN26 (Revelation 16:1-2)

REVELATION

                    Our world is in major trouble. Much of what John saw in his vision is unfolding before our eyes. The earth has refused to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There is just a remnant of people who are ready to meet Him in the sky. Despite the warnings in the Bible, there are those who choose to keep it hidden and ignore the alarms sounding all over the world. John was given this message of Revelation for the church to know what to expect in the last days, yet so many choose to act as if this part of the Bible doesn’t exist.

            However, the time is coming when Christians will no longer be able to close their eyes to the truth and will have to make the ultimate decision. They will choose to stand up for Christ or take sides with the beast and lose out on eternity. The decision must be made by every living soul. Some have made it and lost their lives in the process, only to have the right to gain it in eternity, while others have passed on without accepting Christ and made their choice to go to the Abyss. Those who are alive still have a chance to do what is right. Which side will you choose?

            John was shown the prostitute who sat upon the beast with multiple heads and horns. This was no ordinary woman, but one who was full of sin and caused others to drink of her cup. God gave this message so that the woman would turn from her evil ways and repent. Unfortunately, the prophecy does make clear that many will not repent and will be lost because of their rebellion. The day of the Lord is now! God will one day return, and when He does, will you be ready?

           

Quick Review from Lesson 8

a.)    The 144,000 sang a new song before the throne in Heaven.

b.)    The first angel’s message was to give God glory because the hour of judgment had come.

c.)    The second angel’s message proclaimed that Babylon the Great had fallen.

d.)    The third angel’s message warned that anyone receiving the beast’s mark would be tormented with burning sulfur.

e.)    Blessed are those who rest in God from their labor because their deeds will follow them.

f.)     The Son of Man was to take his sickle and reap, for the harvest was ripe.

g.)    There will be a song that the saints of God will sing that even the angels cannot sing.

h.)    Out of the temple came seven angels with seven plagues.

i.)     No one was able to enter the temple until the completion of the plagues.

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

“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.’ 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” (Revelation 16:1-2).

 

        John was taken to another part of his vision where the seven angels were about to pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath upon the world. This will take place prior to Jesus’ return. There will be judgments rendered upon the citizens of the world who have refused to acknowledge the God of Heaven and His son Jesus Christ. However, they do not realize they will acknowledge Him at His coming. The Bible says: “It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,  ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God’ ” (Romans 14:11). John saw the first angel pour out his bowl upon the land, and sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshipped him. God used a similar judgment with Pharaoh when he refused to let the Children of Israel go. The Bible says: “Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on people and animals throughout the land.’ So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on people and animals. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians” (Exodus 9:8-11). God uses various methods to get people’s attention, but there comes a time when mercy and grace run out, resulting in judgment. Those who do not have the seal of God will be the ones to receive these bowls of wrath.

 Reasons why God judges include:

 

• Justice and Accountability: God could be viewed as being unjust if He allowed sin to continue and never called to account those who have committed continuous evil acts and open rebellion. Therefore, He must respond to sin, which has caused tremendous pain, suffering, and death upon the earth. These judgments in John’s vision act as a response and correction to the wrongs of those who rejected Him. The Bible says: “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

 

• Safeguard and Love: God safeguards and loves those who are oppressed, persecuted, and less fortunate. Therefore, He responds to their cry for help and judges their offenders. His judgment is necessary to defend the plight of those victimized by injustice. The Bible says: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:17-18).

 

• Reconciliation: The Lord wants everyone to be reconciled to Him. This is why Jesus came so that we can have life and be reconciled to the Father. Judgment acts as a prompting to get man’s attention to return to the Lord and to align their ways with His. The Bible says: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).

 

• Discernment of the Truth: God is the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, He brings clarity and discernment for His people to know His truth and discern right from wrong. Judgment brings clarity to God’s truth, not men. The Bible says: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).