The story of the seven bowls is about evil people and beasts. At this time, all the remaining people received the mark of the beast or worshiped the beast's idol. And God's wrath is against them.
There is no talk of persecution of the church at this time because all the remaining are the people of the beast - they are all of the same gang. If it is evil on one side, then even worse evil will be at the other side, and this continues.
Against them God pours out bowls of wrath - harmful painful and sores came upon them.
Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Mar 30, 2023.
Rev 16:1-2