The seven bowls (, ''phialas'' (acc. pl.), nom. sing. φιάλη, ''phialē''; also translated as cups or vials) are a set of plagues mentioned in Revelation 16. They are recorded as apocalyptic events that were seen in the vision of the

Revelation Revelation, or divine revelation, is the disclosing of some form of Religious views on truth, truth or Knowledge#Religion, knowledge through communication with a deity (god) or other supernatural entity or entities in the view of religion and t ...

Jesus Christ Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

, by John of Patmos. Seven angels are given seven bowls of God's wrath, each consisting of judgements full of the wrath of God. These seven bowls of God's wrath are poured out on the wicked and the followers of the

Antichrist In Christian eschatology, Antichrist (or in broader eschatology, Anti-Messiah) refers to a kind of entity prophesied by the Bible to oppose Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ and falsely substitute themselves as a savior in Christ's place before ...

Plagues

First bowl

The first bowl is poured out upon the earth, and causes painful sores to break out upon all those bearing the mark of the beast.

Second bowl

The second bowl is poured out upon the sea. The sea turns to blood, and every living creature in it dies.

Third bowl

The third bowl is poured out upon the rivers and springs of water, and they turn to blood. The "angel of the waters" makes a speech in praise of God's justice, which is echoed by a voice from the altar.

Fourth bowl

The fourth bowl is poured out upon the sun. The sun scorches the people, but they only curse the name of God and do not repent.

Fifth bowl

The fifth bowl is poured out upon the throne of the beast. A thick darkness overwhelms the kingdom of the beast, and the wicked still do not repent.

Sixth bowl

The sixth bowl is poured out upon the river

Euphrates The Euphrates ( ; see #Etymology, below) is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of West Asia. Tigris–Euphrates river system, Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia (). Originati ...

. The river dries up to allow "the kings of the east" to cross. Three unclean spirits with the appearance of frogs come, one each, out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These spirits, referred to as unclean (meaning unfit for consumption in Biblical literature), work miracles to gather the nations of the world to battle against the forces of good during the Battle of Armageddon. The vision is interrupted by a voice that says "Behold, I am coming like a thief", and urges believers to stay alert. Other biblical scholars believe that the great eschatological battle is not described in these verses, having already been won at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Seventh bowl

The seventh bowl is poured out into the air. A great voice from the throne says: "It is done." There is thunder and lightning, and an earthquake which destroys the cities of the world, and splits "the great city" into three parts. The islands and mountains are destroyed, and hailstones weighing a talent each fall upon the earth. The people continue to curse God.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seven Bowls Angelic apparitions in the Bible New Testament words and phrases Book of Revelation Christian terminology Biblical phrases Prophets in Christianity Seven in the Book of Revelation