Yes — the bowl judgments are the final seven plagues of God's wrath in Revelation, poured out instantly from golden bowls.
They are called 'vials' in the King James Version, but Les Feldick prefers the name 'bowl' because a bowl can be poured out all at once. These judgments are introduced by the seventh trumpet and are part of the sequence of sevenfold judgments that bring the tribulation to its end.
Revelation 16:1 — This verse contains the command for the seven angels to pour out the vials of God's wrath upon the earth, directly naming the bowl judgments.
Revelation 15:7 — Here we see the seven golden vials full of the wrath of God being given to the seven angels.
The Bible speaks of seven golden vials full of the wrath of God given to seven angels (Revelation 15:7). John then hears a great voice from the temple telling the angels, 'Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth' (Revelation 16:1). The seventh angel pours his vial into the air, and a great voice from the throne says, 'It is done' (Revelation 16:17). Immediately there are voices, thunders, and lightnings, and a great earthquake unlike any since men were upon the earth (Revelation 16:18). The great city is divided into three parts, the cities of the nations fall, and Babylon is remembered before God to receive the cup of the fierceness of his wrath (Revelation 16:19).
Les explains that the final seven judgments of the tribulation are called 'vials' in the King James Version, but he prefers 'bowl' because a bowl can be poured out instantly, whereas a bottle would empty slowly. He says these judgments follow the trumpet judgments and are part of God's wrath being consummated. In the heavenly vision, seven angels come out of the temple with the seven final plagues, and one of the four living creatures gives them seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God. Les emphasizes that these judgments are not just local but worldwide, and he pauses before the seventh bowl so he can teach it as the finale — the declaration 'It is done,' a global earthquake, and the dividing of Jerusalem into three parts.
Les points out that the King James translation uses the word 'vial,' but he prefers to call them bowls. He explains that the contents of a broad, shallow bowl come out immediately when turned over, while a narrow-necked bottle would release its contents gradually. Thus the name pictures the sudden, instant outpouring of these final judgments.
Les teaches that the seven seals introduce the seven trumpet judgments, and the seventh trumpet introduces the final seven bowl judgments. He says the trumpet judgments begin after the midpoint of the tribulation and grow worse and worse until the bowl judgments arrive. These final judgments bring the tribulation to a close.
In the seventh bowl, the angel pours his bowl into the air and a great voice from the throne declares, 'It is done.' There follow voices, thunders, lightnings, and a great earthquake unlike any since men have been on the earth. Les says this earthquake is global, although its epitome is in Jerusalem and Israel. The great city is divided into three parts, and Babylon receives the cup of the fierceness of God's wrath.
What Happens When God's Wrath Replaces Grace — Revelation 9 & 11
He's going to give them instructions for building their little place of worship, the tabernacle. All right, Exodus 25, and come down to verse 8 and 9. Exodus 25, beginning of verse 8, and the Lord is speaking to Moses, and He says, "...let them," that is, the children of Israel, "...make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them, according to all that I show thee, after," or according to, "...
From Trumpets to Bowls
Les explains that the trumpet judgments begin at the tribulation's midpoint and grow worse until the last seven judgments, which are called the bowl or vial judgments; he notes these judgments are worldwide, not limited to the Middle East.
Why 'Bowl'?
Les teaches that the KJV uses 'vial' but he prefers 'bowl' because a bowl's contents can be poured out instantly, picturing how suddenly these final judgments arrive.
Angels and the Golden Bowls
In the heavenly vision, seven angels with the seven final plagues come out of the temple, and one of the four living creatures gives them seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God.
The Seventh Bowl's Finale
Les describes the seventh bowl: a voice from the throne says 'It is done,' a worldwide earthquake convulses the planet, the city (Jerusalem) is divided into three parts, and Babylon faces the fierceness of God's wrath.
Preparing to Teach the Seventh Bowl
Les intentionally stops before the seventh bowl so he can devote full attention to that final judgment, which he says brings the end of the tribulation near.
The Sequence of Sevenfold Judgments
Les places the bowl judgments after the seals and trumpets, teaching that the seventh trumpet introduces them and that Revelation is structured around sevenfold judgments.
Noah’s Ark: How Did All the Animals Fit? (Genesis 6-7)
Verse 16, And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. All right, now if you'll remember, I purposely stopped just before we came to the seventh bold judgment. Good, I've got just enough time to finish this. The last bold judgment, which of course is back in chapter 16.
Revelation 15:7: And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
This verse introduces the seven golden vials that contain the wrath of God, which are later poured out as the bowl judgments.
Revelation 16:1: 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.
This is the command that begins the pouring out of the seven bowl judgments.
Revelation 16:17: And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
This verse records the seventh bowl and the declaration that God's wrath is complete.
Revelation 16:18: And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
This verse describes the unprecedented earthquake that accompanies the seventh bowl.
Revelation 16:19: And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
This verse shows the results of the seventh bowl — the splitting of the great city and the fall of Babylon.
The King James Version calls them 'vials.' Les Feldick prefers 'bowl' because a bowl, when turned over, empties instantly — a picture of how quickly these final judgments are poured out.
According to Les, they follow the trumpet judgments, which begin after the midpoint of the tribulation. The seventh trumpet introduces the bowl judgments, and the seventh bowl brings the tribulation to its end.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens When God's Wrath Replaces Grace — Revelation 9 & 11