The bowl judgments are the final seven plagues in Revelation that complete God's wrath.
According to Les Feldick, these seven judgments are introduced in Revelation 15 as the vials or bowls. They occur during the last year or year and a half of the tribulation, and they are poured out suddenly and rapidly. They represent the consummation of God's wrath.
Revelation 15:1 — This is where the seven angels with the seven last plagues are introduced, showing that in them God's wrath is filled up.
Revelation 16:17 — This is the seventh bowl judgment where a voice declares 'It is done,' indicating the finale of God's wrath.
Revelation 15:1 introduces the seven angels with the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God. These seven angels are given seven golden vials full of the wrath of God (Revelation 15:7). In Revelation 16, the seven angels pour out their vials upon the earth, the sea, the rivers, the sun, the beast's throne, the Euphrates, and into the air. The seventh bowl brings a great voice from the throne saying, 'It is done,' followed by a great earthquake and the fall of Babylon (Revelation 16:17-19).
Les Feldick teaches that the bowl judgments are the final seven judgments of the tribulation, happening during the last year or year and a half of the three-and-a-half-year period. He emphasizes that they are called 'vials' in the King James Version, but he prefers 'bowl' because a bowl can be poured out instantly, unlike a bottle with a narrow neck. These judgments are not dribbled out; they hit the whole planet in one quick strike. Les also notes that the seventh bowl judgment is the finale, declaring 'It is done,' followed by a great earthquake and the fall of Babylon.
Les Feldick explains that the King James Bible calls them 'vials,' but he prefers to use 'bowl.' He uses the comparison of a flat soup bowl versus a Coke bottle: pouring out a bowl is instantaneous, while a bottle takes time to empty. Thus, the bowl judgments will come upon the earth suddenly and quickly, not slowly over time.
Les Feldick explains we are coming down toward the last year or year and a half of the three-and-a-half-year period of the last part of the tribulation. These judgments get more severe and come on the earth faster and faster. They are the last seven judgments after the seal and trumpet judgments.
In Revelation 16:17, the seventh angel pours out his bowl into the air, and a great voice from the throne says, 'It is done.' This is the finale. There are voices, thunders, lightnings, and a great earthquake. Jerusalem is divided into three parts, and great Babylon comes into remembrance before God.
Timing of the Bowl Judgments
Les explains the bowl judgments occur in the last year or year and a half of the final 3.5 years of tribulation, becoming more severe and rapid.
Why 'Bowl' Instead of 'Vial'
Les contrasts a soup bowl with a Coke bottle to show the bowl judgments are poured out instantly, hitting the planet in one quick strike.
Final Seven Judgments
Les identifies these as the last seven judgments, worse and closer together than the preceding trumpet judgments.
What Happens When the Lamb Opens the Seals — Revelation 6
The part we skipped, of course, were the seven letters to the seven churches. Now we're going to see the seven seals, the seven seal judgments. They will introduce the seven trumpet judgments. The seventh trumpet judgment will introduce the final seven bowl judgments. Interspersed between, there are seven distinct persons. There are seven woes.
Introduction to the Seventh Bowl
Les sets up the seventh bowl judgment as the finale, returning to Revelation 16:17 after covering six bowls.
Why the Church Will Not Go Through the Tribulation
As we get to the end of that last three and a half years, the plagues are going to get so awful, cosmic disturbances are going to get so awful, death is going to be just running rampant, and it's going to be one thing right after another until Christ appears, and then that of course is the delivery. So then, all these things are the beginning of sorrows. Now let's go back then to Revelation.
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.
The Seventh Bowl Described
Les reads the seventh bowl passage, noting 'It is done,' the great earthquake, and Babylon's fall, emphasizing the planet-wide convulsions.
Revelation 15:1: And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
This verse directly introduces the seven bowl judgments as the last plagues that complete God's wrath.
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.
The seven angels are given seven golden vials full of God's wrath, which are the bowls they pour out.
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 is the seventh bowl judgment, declaring the completion of God's wrath.
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.
The seventh bowl brings a unique and massive earthquake.
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.
The seventh bowl cause Jerusalem to split and Babylon to be judged by God.
Yes, Les Feldick explains that the King James calls them vials, but he prefers 'bowl judgments.' The word 'vial' in the KJV refers to a bowl or shallow container.
According to Les Feldick, they take place during the last year or year and a half of the final three and a half years of tribulation. They come fast and are more severe than earlier judgments.
The seventh bowl brings a voice declaring 'It is done,' a massive earthquake, the division of Jerusalem into three parts, and the fall of Babylon.
Watch the Teaching: What Are the 7 Bowl Judgments? Revelation 15–16 Explained