Revelation 16:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A great voice from the temple commands the seven angels to pour out the bowls of God's wrath upon the earth.
What Does Revelation 16:1 Mean?
After the heavenly temple is filled with smoke in the previous chapter, the command now comes from within it. Seven angels, each holding a golden bowl, are sent out one by one. What follows mirrors the plagues of Egypt, where God answered Pharaoh's hardness with mounting signs.
The voice issues not from the angels but from the sanctuary, reminding us that judgment proceeds from God's own holiness, never from caprice. He had waited long, sending witnesses and warnings. When wrath finally falls, it is the measured response of a patient God whose mercy has been refused, and it points us to the only refuge, the Lamb who already bore that wrath for those who trust Him.
Revelation 16:1 in the Original Language
orge (ὀργή), 'wrath' -- settled, righteous indignation against evil, not sudden temper.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 16:1
What does Revelation 16:1 mean?
A great voice from the temple commands the seven angels to pour out the bowls of God's wrath upon the earth.