Revelation 16:8

¶ And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

And {G2532} the fourth {G5067} angel {G32} poured out {G1632} his {G846} vial {G5357} upon {G1909} the sun {G2246}; and {G2532} power was given {G1325} unto him {G846} to scorch {G2739} men {G444} with {G1722} fire {G4442}.

The fourth one poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was permitted to burn people with fire.

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire.

And the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it to scorch men with fire.

Commentary

Revelation 16:8 describes the fourth in a series of seven divine judgments known as the Bowl Judgments, or vials, poured out upon the earth. This specific judgment unleashes intense heat from the sun, causing immense suffering for humanity. It is a powerful illustration of God's righteous wrath against persistent human rebellion and unrepentance.

Context

This verse is situated within the dramatic apocalyptic narrative of the Book of Revelation, specifically in chapter 16, which details the final and most severe expressions of God's judgment before the return of Christ. These "vial" or "bowl" judgments follow the seven trumpet judgments and build in intensity, targeting different aspects of the earth and humanity. The preceding three bowls affected the earth with grievous sores (Revelation 16:2), turned the sea into blood (Revelation 16:3), and turned freshwaters into blood (Revelation 16:4). The fourth bowl intensifies the suffering by directly affecting a primary source of life and comfort: the sun.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse vividly portrays God's active involvement in executing judgment. The sun, ordinarily a source of warmth and life, becomes an instrument of divine torment, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and His righteous indignation against sin.
  • Escalating Intensity: Each successive bowl judgment in Revelation 16 is more severe than the last. This fourth judgment amplifies the natural element of the sun to inflict suffering, highlighting the increasing consequences of rejecting God's grace.
  • Human Suffering and Impenitence: The scorching heat inflicted upon humanity underscores the physical agony experienced during these final judgments. It sets the stage for the crucial point made in the next verse (Revelation 16:9), where despite the intense pain, humanity remains unrepentant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "poured out his vial" translates the Greek word phialē (φιάλη), which refers to a shallow, broad bowl, often used for pouring libations or offerings. This imagery suggests a swift, complete, and unreserved outpouring of judgment. The word "scorch" comes from the Greek kaumatizo (καυματίζω), meaning "to burn with intense heat" or "to cause scorching." It emphasizes the excruciating, burning pain inflicted upon people, a suffering far beyond mere discomfort.

Practical Application

While apocalyptic, Revelation 16:8 offers timeless lessons for believers and non-believers alike:

  • God's Holiness and Justice: This verse serves as a sobering reminder that God is holy and righteous, and His justice will ultimately prevail against all sin and rebellion.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The severity of these judgments underscores the profound gravity of sin in God's eyes and the dire consequences of persistent impenitence.
  • Urgency of Repentance: The escalating judgments highlight the urgency for humanity to turn from sin and embrace the saving grace offered through faith in Jesus Christ before the final outpouring of God's wrath.
  • God's Control: For believers, this passage affirms that God remains sovereign over all creation, even over the elements of nature, and He will ultimately bring about His perfect will and justice.
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Cross-References

  • Revelation 14:18 (6 votes)

    And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

  • Acts 2:20 (5 votes)

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

  • Jonah 4:8 (5 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live.

  • Matthew 13:6 (5 votes)

    And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

  • Revelation 7:16 (4 votes)

    They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

  • Isaiah 24:23 (4 votes)

    Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

  • Revelation 9:2 (4 votes)

    And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.