Revelation 16:10 - The First Six Bowls of Wrath

And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast
This phrase refers to the fifth of the seven bowls of God's wrath described in Revelation. The "angel" signifies a divine messenger executing God's judgment. The "throne of the beast" symbolizes the center of power for the Antichrist, a figure representing ultimate opposition to God. This imagery connects to the plagues in Egypt, where God's judgments were poured out on Pharaoh's kingdom. The "beast" is often associated with the Roman Empire in historical context, but also represents any oppressive regime opposing God's will.

and its kingdom was plunged into darkness
Darkness is a recurring biblical motif representing judgment and separation from God. This darkness parallels the ninth plague of Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23), where physical darkness symbolized spiritual blindness and divine judgment. The "kingdom" here refers to the realm under the beast's control, indicating a complete disruption of its power and influence. This darkness can also be seen as a type of Christ's crucifixion, where darkness covered the land, symbolizing the judgment of sin.

and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish
This vivid imagery conveys extreme suffering and distress. The act of gnawing one's tongue suggests intense pain and regret, reminiscent of the torment described in Luke 16:24, where the rich man in Hades experiences unrelenting agony. This suffering is a direct result of the divine judgment poured out, highlighting the consequences of rebellion against God. The anguish also reflects the spiritual torment of those who reject Christ, emphasizing the urgency of repentance and faith.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Fifth Angel
One of the seven angels tasked with pouring out the bowls of God's wrath. This angel specifically targets the throne of the beast.

2. The Throne of the Beast
Represents the seat of power and authority of the beast, a symbol of opposition to God and His people.

3. The Beast's Kingdom
The realm or dominion under the control of the beast, characterized by rebellion against God.

4. Darkness
A physical and spiritual condition that envelops the beast's kingdom, symbolizing judgment and the absence of God's light.

5. Men Gnawing Their Tongues
A vivid depiction of extreme agony and suffering experienced by those in the beast's kingdom, highlighting the severity of God's judgment.

Teaching Points

The Reality of Divine Judgment
God's judgment is real and affects both spiritual and physical realms. Believers should live with an awareness of God's righteous judgment.

The Consequences of Rebellion
The kingdom of the beast, representing rebellion against God, ultimately leads to suffering and darkness. This serves as a warning against aligning with worldly powers opposed to God.

The Symbolism of Darkness
Darkness in Scripture often symbolizes separation from God. Believers are called to be children of light, living in contrast to the darkness of the world.

Endurance in Tribulation
The suffering depicted in this passage reminds believers of the importance of enduring trials with faith, knowing that God's justice will prevail.

The Urgency of Repentance
The agony experienced by those in the beast's kingdom underscores the urgency of repentance and turning to God before it's too late.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 16What are the Seven Bowls of Revelation?How do we reconcile Revelation 16’s imagery with the more symbolic or metaphorical interpretations found in other prophetic books?How do the twenty-four elders from Revelation 4:4 align with or contradict other biblical notions of heavenly beings or leadership?What is the Bible's perspective on incense?

(10) And the fifth . . .--Better, The fifth angel poured out his vial upon the throne (not "the seat:" see Notes on Revelation 4:10; Revelation 13:2) of the wild beast. The vials of judgment gradually dissolve the integrity and organisation of the kingdom of the wild beast. The result of the principles on which it has been based begin to show themselves: first, moral disease in individuals; then a corrupt tone of national morals spreading into the higher orders of society; then the fierce pride of vaunted light which scorches. Where these are, disorganisation is not far off; evil goes out a murderer and comes home a suicide. The retribution comes home; the throne of the world-power, the very head and centre of its authority, is smitten.

And his kingdom was full of darkness.--And his kingdom was darkened. We have the counterpart of the Egyptian plague (Exodus 10:21-23); there was a typical force in that ancient plague: the kingdom which boasted itself so full of light becomes darkened. When men shut out the higher light, the smoke of their own candles will soon obscure the whole heaven. When moral evil is linked with intellectual light, the moral evil will be found the stronger; for we cannot have a sunbeam without the sun. "Take heed," said Christ, "that the light that is in thee be not darkness." There is a light that is darkness; the progress of evil bringing about its own retribution proves this conclusively.

(10, 11) But even the failure of their own light does not work repentance: they gnawed their tongues from their pain. Here is remorse and suffering. They are "unto themselves" (as the Book of Wisdom describes the Egyptians) "more grievous than the darkness" (Wisdom Of Solomon 17:21); but there is no softening or humbling of themselves, no turning to God. They still love what God hates, and hate what He loves, for they blasphemed God, &c., and repented not of their works. Such is the wretched state of the world-power in the day when retributive evil overtakes it--darkness, pain, and inability to repent. Is it not a picture of the ultimate state of all sin? It is not a vast world-power alone which exhibits pain and confusion like this. It is to be seen over and over again in men and nations. The power of evil comes home and robs men of their accustomed guides. They are brought into darkness and trouble; the throne where the master-power of worldliness sat is cast down; the evil passion which was the unifying power of their life is deprived of the field of its power; then follows exasperation, anger at defeat, readiness to accuse others, but no blame of self, no repentance.

Verse 10. - And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast. Omit "angel" as before (see on ver. 8). The throne of the beast. That throne which had been given to him by the dragon (Revelation 13:2), and which here typifies the centre and source of his power. While this throne may aptly refer to the Roman empire in St. John's time, its position varies at different times; wherever the world power is worshipped, there the beast has his throne. And his kingdom was full of darkness; was darkened. Another allusion to the plagues of Egypt. The darkness is a type of the spiritual darkness which prevails among the subjects of the beast, and which they themselves frequently realize in the course of their career. The fear of the future sometimes arouses their misgivings, and then there is no light or hope in their hearts. And they gnawed their tongues for rain. The pain arising from the darkness of their minds; the misgivings as to their future (vide supra); or perhaps also on account of their sufferings under the former plagues, to which this is an addition. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fifth [angel]
πέμπτος (pemptos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3991: The fifth. From pente; fifth.

poured out
ἐξέχεεν (execheen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1632: Or ekchuno ek-khoo'-no from ek and cheo; to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

bowl
φιάλην (phialēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5357: A shallow and flat bowl. Of uncertain affinity; a broad shallow cup.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

throne
θρόνον (thronon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2362: From thrao; a stately seat; by implication, power or a potentate.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

beast,
θηρίου (thēriou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

its
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

was
ἐγένετο (egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

plunged into darkness,
ἐσκοτωμένη (eskotōmenē)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4656: (lit. or met.) I darken. From skotos; to obscure or blind.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[men] began to gnaw
ἐμασῶντο (emasōnto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3145: To bite, gnaw, chew. From a primary masso; to chew.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

tongues
γλώσσας (glōssas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language.

in
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

anguish
πόνου (ponou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4192: (a) labor, toil, (b) pain, anguish, distress, suffering. From the base of penes; toil, i.e. anguish.

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Revelation 16:10 Catholic BibleNT Prophecy: Revelation 16:10 The fifth poured out his bowl (Rev. Re Apocalypse)