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This is the second part of an intratextual analysis that explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. This part focuses on the description of the bowls and also on the pouring out of the wrath of God through the first four bowls. In the first bowl, the earth-dwellers are directly affected by the sore plague, which torments them. In the second bowl, the economic infrastructure of Babylon, represented by the sea, is destroyed. In the third bowl, the power infrastructure of Babylon and its source, represented by the rivers and the springs of waters, is destroyed. In the fourth bowl, the light of witness, which is attacked so virulently by the evil triad and their followers, turns against the people revealing their unwillingness to repent. As such, the elements judged in the first four bowls point to the human support given to the persecuting powers of Revelation 12–13.

Among the apocalyptic symbols that excited the imagination of the commentators are the seven bowls from Revelation 15–16. Usually interpreters approach this imagery by looking at the Old Testament, Jewish, New Testament, or the historical-cultural setting. This article explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses intratextual analysis of Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. The article has two parts. This first part presents the background tapestry of the seven bowls. It argues that the hymn of Revelation 15:3–4 is a key passage for understanding the plagues. Also, it analyses the terms used for the plagues, the wrath of God, and the pouring of the bowls, in order to clarify their contextual significance.

Among the apocalyptic symbols that excited the imagination of the commentators are the seven bowls from Revelation 15-16. Usually interpreters approach this imagery by looking at the Old Testament, Jewish, New Testament, or the historical-cultural setting. This article explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses intratextual analysis of Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. The article has two parts. This first part presents the background tapestry of the seven bowls. It argues that the hymn of Revelation 15:3-4 is a key passage for understanding the plagues. Also, it analyses the terms used for the plagues, the wrath of God, and the pouring of the bowls, in order to clarify their contextual significance.