What results is not just a battle between nations, but the great day of battle for the Almighty himself when he destroys his enemies (12-14). With the outpouring of the sixth bowl, demonic spirits from the satanic trinity entice the rulers of the world to make war with one another. Earlier, in the series of trumpet judgments, people had refused to repent (see 9:20-21), but now they also curse God, indicating an increasing hardness against him (10-11). The fifth plague brings darkness and pain, but people still will not change. When the angel pours out the fourth bowl there is unbearable heat, but instead of repenting, people curse God all the more (8-9). The voice from the altar confirms that the judgments are God’s answer to the prayers of his persecuted people (7 cf. God acts justly by inflicting the persecutors with punishments suited to the evil they have done (5-6). The first judgment brings disease on the earth, the second death in the sea, and the third death in the waters on the land (16:1-4). The judgments announced by the trumpets affected only one third of the various areas (see 8:7-12), but here the judgments are total and final. The bowl judgments are similar to the trumpet judgments, only much more severe.
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