Revelation 16:3; Sea of Blood
Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
The second bowl or vial judgment saw death in the sea and the sea became as blood. The stench of blood with salt water under the sun must bring with it such unbearable, great petrifying stench.
Every living soul died in the sea – what a scene of great death and destruction.
The oceans cover 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and contain 97 percent of the Earth’s water. Less than 1 percent of the Earth’s water is fresh water, and 2-3 percent is contained in glaciers and ice caps. The oceans contain 99 percent of the living space on the planet.
Imagine the scene of death upon the earth.
Indeed, as Ryrie observed, “The victims of this judgment will experience the relentless law of retribution. They shed the blood of the saints and prophets …”
It is most severe compared with the 2nd trumpet judgment where 1/3 Sea becomes blood, 1/3 ship sunk, 1/3 fish dead (Rev. 8:8-9).
Revelation 8:8-9 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
When men continue to be unrepentant, the judgment of God intensifies till they realize that they cannot fight their Creator like the plagues God sent in Egypt.
Exodus 7:17-21 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I amthe LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that isin mine hand upon the waters which arein the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that isin the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river. And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and thatthere may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels ofwood, and in vessels ofstone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that werein the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that werein the river were turned to blood. And the fish that wasin the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as hiseyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Matthew 5:3-4 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Amen.