Devine Scripture

Revelation 16:1

What does Revelation 16:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 16:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 16:1 means

John hears a “great voice” from the temple commissioning the seven angels to begin pouring out the bowls of God’s wrath. The command comes from within the sanctuary, signaling that these judgments proceed from God’s holy presence and perfect justice, not from human revenge or angelic initiative. The bowls are to be poured “into the earth,” showing their comprehensive reach. What follows is not warning but execution; the time for patience has given way to the time for recompense. The seven angels act as God’s official agents. The scene assures believers that history does not drift; the Lord reigns, and when He acts, His purposes move forward with irresistible authority and exact timing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a great voice out of the house of God came to my ears, saying to the seven angels, Go, and let that which is in the seven vessels of the wrath of God come down on the earth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I heard a great voice out of the sanctuary saying to the seven messengers, `Go away, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God to the earth;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels: Go and pour out the seven vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go and pour out the seven bowls of the fury ofGod upon the earth.

Context

This opening word links back to the vision of chapter 15, where the seven angels received the bowls and the temple was filled with glory. Now the order to act is given. The frame matters: everything that follows unfolds under God’s explicit command. The narrative will move through each bowl in sequence, showing intensifying judgments upon the beast’s followers and the world system that serves him. The first bowl targets worshipers of the beast, then the plagues spread through creation.

v.1This passage

v.2And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 9:5

    And to the others he said in my hearing, Go ye through the city after him, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity;

  • Revelation 14:9

    And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If any man worshippeth the beast and his image, and receiveth a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand,

  • 1 Samuel 15:18

    and Jehovah sent thee on a journey, and said, Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

  • Revelation 14:15

    And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send forth thy sickle, and reap: for the hour to reap is come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

  • Revelation 14:18

    And another angel came out from the altar, he that hath power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send forth thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

  • Revelation 16:2

    And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image.

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