1. Revelation 16:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does the second angel pour out his bowl “into the sea"?

Revelation 16:3 (ESV)

3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.

The earth God has given to man is divided into two areas: dry land and sea (Genesis 1:9–10). Though people live on the land, the sea is a vital part of human welfare. That is true in relation to not only weather (1 Kings 18:44) but also commerce (1 Kings 9:26; 1 Kings 10:22) and food. Furthermore, God gave man dominion not only over the creatures of the land but also “over the fish of the sea” (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:8). By having this bowl of wrath poured out into the sea the Lord was again touching people.