A Worldwide Environmental Disaster.
The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died. Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, the One who is and who was, O Holy One, because You judged these things; for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.” – Rev.16:3-6. (NASB)
The original creation is unravelling. This text portrays a world-wide, devastating, environmental disaster. The waters in the world are transformed into a blood-like substance that kills everything. The plagues of Revelation 16 carry out the promise of Rev.11:18 that God will “destroy those who are destroying the earth.”
The earth is the Lord’s (Ps.24:1), so those who abuse the earth challenge God’s rule whether they realize it or not. God has placed us on a planet finely tuned to our comfort and support. When we abuse God’s creation, we heap judgment on ourselves. An example of this is the current systematic destruction of the earth’s biomass, atmosphere and oceans. What we sow we will eventually reap.
We have seen that before the plagues are poured out onto the earth, the temple of heaven ceases to function (Rev.15:5-8). The closing up of the temple in heaven suggests the close of human probation. From this time on there will be no more conversions. So, the sufferings experienced in the seven last plagues are not designed to bring anyone to repentance.
What is the point of the plagues then? If they come after the close of probation, why add to the world’s suffering?
If people can no longer repent it seems vengeful and capricious to torment them further. But the answer lies in the major underlying theme. God is just when He executes judgment on the wicked because they are receiving in-kind what they have done to others, (Rev.16:5-7).
The plagues show that the wicked are people who will continue to oppose God no matter the circumstances. The righteous also suffer many things in the last days. But these sufferings do not turn them away from their course either. The righteous remain righteous and the wicked remain wicked (Rev.22:11). The close of probation is not an arbitrary decree on the part of God. It is simply a time when world affairs are so arranged that everyone makes a settled decision for or against God at the very same time.
Remember our study on the plagues and the cross. Then notice how He who created all the rivers and lakes and seas, on the cross cried out, “I thirst.” This plague reflects what was poured out upon Him as He endured your penalty.