God had given man dominion over the earth and the sea (Genesis 1:26–30). More specifically, the Lord had placed man in the Garden of Eden with the command to work it and keep it (Genesis 2:15). That wonderful Garden was watered through “mist…going up from the land” (Genesis 2:6) and a river (Genesis 2:10). Productivity in the Garden, then, came via rivers and springs of water. As a result of the fall into sin, so much of earth became barren and dry through lack of water; in fact, the Lord laid a direct connection between Israel’s obedience to God and there being sufficient water in the Promised Land to grow a crop (Deuteronomy 11:13–14; Deuteronomy 28:24). Now that earth’s population refuses to respond with obedience to the proclamation of the gospel (Revelation 14:6), God’s judgment must follow. Again, unlike Revelation 8:10–12, not one third is affected but the entire water supply is—consistent with the principle of Deuteronomy 25:2 (Luke 12:47–48).
4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood.