The Third Vial
” 4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.”
(Rev 16:4-7 KJV)
Just as the sea in verse 3, the rivers and fountains of waters are turned into blood. Verses 5-7 show us that this is judgment from God and not the wrath of Satan as some have suggested.
We see the description of the one in verse 5 from the first chapter of Revelation.
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;” (Rev 1:4 KJV)
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev 1:8 KJV)
This shows that Jesus is the God of heaven that is pouring out His wrath upon the world.
Verse 6 reminds us of the reason for this judgment: they have shed the blood of the saints and the prophets.
Verse 7 again proclaims Jesus as the Lord God Almighty. Using all three titles to describe Jesus is powerful language that takes away any doubt of His Deity.
Lord – 2962 κύριος kurios {koo’-ree-os}
Meaning: 1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord 1a) the possessor and disposer of a thing 1a1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master 1a2) in the state: the sovereign, prince, chief, the Roman emperor 1b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants salute their master 1c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah
Origin: from kuros (supremacy); TDNT – 3:1039,486; n m
Usage: AV – Lord 667, lord 54, master 11, sir 6, Sir 6, misc 4; 748
God – 2316 θεός theos {theh’-os}
Meaning: 1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities 2) the Godhead, trinity 2a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity 2b) Christ, the second person of the trinity 2c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity 3) spoken of the only and true God 3a) refers to the things of God 3b) his counsels, interests, things due to him 4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way 4a) God’s representative or viceregent 4a1) of magistrates and judges
Origin: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; TDNT – 3:65,322; n m
Usage: AV – God 1320, god 13, godly 3, God-ward + 4214 2, misc 5; 1343
Almighty – 3841 παντοκράτωρ pantokrator {pan-tok-rat’-ore}
Meaning: 1) he who holds sway over all things 2) the ruler of all 3) almighty: God
Origin: from 3956 and 2904; TDNT – 3:914,466; n m
Usage: AV – Almighty 9, omnipotent 1; 10