2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth ; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image . 3 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 . 4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters ; and they became blood .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 16:2-4
Commentary on Revelation 16:1-7
(Read Revelation 16:1-7)
We are to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Here is a succession of terrible judgments of Providence; and there seems to be an allusion to several of the plagues of Egypt. The sins were alike, and so were the punishments. The vials refer to the seven trumpets, which represented the rise of antichrist; and the fall of the enemies of the church shall bear some resemblance to their rise. All things throughout their earth, their air, their sea, their rivers, their cities, all are condemned to ruin, all accursed for the wickedness of that people. No wonder that angels, who witness or execute the Divine vengeance on the obstinate haters of God, of Christ, and of holiness, praise his justice and truth; and adore his awful judgments, when he brings upon cruel persecutors the tortures they made his saints and prophets suffer.