Revelation 15 was a prelude to the last of the Tribulation judgments that complete the wrath of God described in chapter 16. The drying up of the Euphrates, I think, is to be taken figuratively, as Babylon itself, which is situated on it, is undoubtedly so, Revelation 17:5 . ©2019 David Guzik – No distribution beyond personal use without permission. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. The sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire: What is normally taken for granted as a blessing – the warmth of the shining sun – is now a curse. . They became blood: When these judgments come, the time must be very short until the return of Jesus. The great river Euphrates: The Romans considered the Euphrates River to be a secure barrier against invasion from the empires of the east. Choose a verse from 'Revelation 16' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org Unlike the result in the case of Jerusalem ( Revelation 11:13 ), where "the remnant . You can also change some of your preferences. While the false prophet, like the Holy Ghost, speaks not of himself, but tells all men to worship the beast, and confirms his testimony to the beast by miracles, as the Holy Ghost attested similarly to Christ's divine mission. Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. The following doxology (Revelation 16:5,6) favours this sense. 4. The iron is cast into another image, but it is not transformed into gold. . Sickness and sorrow of themselves are no helps to salvation. Commentaries for Revelation Chapter 16 The First Three Bowls of Wrath. i. “Some say it is the great Valley of the Mississippi. But Coptic and ANDREAS support it. Like the plagues God loosed on ancient Egypt ( Exodus 7:19-12:30) when they persecuted His people, so these seven last plagues are poured out upon those who seek to harm the Lord’s faithful saints at the end of time. The presence of the "unclean spirit" in the land (Palestine) is foretold, Zechariah 13:2, in connection with idolatrous prophets. He shall come from the East ( Matthew 24:27 , Ezekiel 43:2 , "the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East"): not alone, for His elect transfigured saints of Israel and the Gentiles shall accompany Him, who are "kings and priests unto God" ( Revelation 1:6 ). The sea… became blood: Revelation 8:8-9 described a partial contamination of the sea. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 11. sores--This shows that each fresh plague was accompanied with the continuance of the preceding plagues: there was an accumulation, not a mere succession, of plagues. Is sin really sinful to you? 6. personified, representing the corporate testimony of the martyrs (Revelation 6:9) and the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:3-5). Three unclean spirits, like frogs, came out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Revelation 16 commentary 1. (with Pharaoh Tuthmosis III) to 1917 (with Lord Allenby of the British). of
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. sore upon the men--antitype to the sixth Egyptian plague. He that was unjust in this life is unjust in the life to come. (3) The second bowl: the sea turned to blood. (Read Revelation 16:1-7) We are to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. And thus they have gone on, and will go on, confounding and being confounded.” (Clarke). Its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. Contrast Revelation 7:3 , Ezekiel 9:4 Ezekiel 9:6 . Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. 2. went--Greek, "went away." And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon, : This great battle happens at a place called. men were--so B, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS. Armageddon--Hebrew, "Har," a mountain, and "Megiddo" in Manasseh in Galilee, the scene of the overthrow of the Canaanite kings by God's miraculous interposition under Deborah and Barak; the same as the great plain of Esdraelon. In this chapter we have an account of the pouring forth of these vials that were filled with the wrath of God. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. came in remembrance--Greek, "Babylon the great was remembered" ( Revelation 18:5 ). Beginning with infidelity as to Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh, men shall end in the grossest idolatry of the beast, the incarnation of all that is self-deifying and God-opposed in the world powers of all ages; having rejected Him that came in the Father's name, they shall worship one that comes in his own, though really the devil's representative; as frogs croak by night in marshes and quagmires, so these unclean spirits in the darkness of error teach lies amidst the mire of filthy lusts. God's voice as to the final consummation, as Jesus' voice on the cross when the work of expiation was completed, "It is finished. The name Israel ( Genesis 32:28 ) implies a prince with God. O Lord--omitted by A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS. 10. angel--omitted by A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac. Read Introduction to Revelation “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. “Judgment may produce a carnal repentance – a repentance that is of the flesh, and after the manner of the sinful nature of men. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. : In these final judgments, God shakes the earth with a tremendous earthquake. You are righteous, O Lord: Even in the midst of judgment, it is right that the angel says this. b. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven a like the roar of many waters and b like the sound of loud thunder . Here the contamination is made complete (. Whilst many take it as a mere ideal place, for an ideal assemblage, having no existence in fact. lightnings--A has the order, "lightnings . The same is promised in Hebrews 12:26: Great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath, ) is more explicitly described in Revelation 17 and 18. Look at the lost in hell. 1. b. “This is real penitence, when the man gives glory to the justice of God, even though it condemns him. The unclean spirit out of the mouth of the dragon symbolizes the proud infidelity which opposes God and Christ. b. The kings of the earth who are earthly ( Revelation 16:14 ), stand in contrast to the kings from the East who are heavenly. All rights reserved. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds. a. 15. But A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac omit it. 16:12-16 This probably shows the destruction of the Turkish power, and of idolatry, and that a way will be made for the return of the Jews. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. “Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth.” (Swete), iii. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. 17. angel--so ANDREAS. c. And did not repent of their deeds: In man’s sinful condition, he increases his sin when under God’s judgment, the very time he should forsake his sin. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. power was given unto him--rather, "unto it," the sun. Probably some great plain, antitypical to the valleys of Megiddo and Jehoshaphat, will be the scene. . Not only is God’s justice fair, it is also pure and appropriate. He that was filthy here is filthy there. For--A, B, C, and ANDREAS omit. Despite all their suffering, many still will not repent. Study Revelation 16 using Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete) to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. c. It describes a great God: His great voice (loud is the same Greek word for great; verses 1; 17), and His great day of victory (Revelation 16:14). so mighty--Greek, "such.". That out of the beast's mouth is the spirit of the world, which in the politics of men, whether lawless democracy or despotism, sets man above God. A foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast, : Those who worshipped the beast and received his. There is nothing in pain and suffering that, by their own natural operation, will tend to purification.” (Spurgeon). 19. the great city--the capital and seat of the apostate Church, spiritual Babylon (of which Rome is the representative, if one literal city be meant). We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. The same sin rules in him, but it is called by another name, and wears another dress. And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous, You are righteous… For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, : It is completely fitting that those who delighted in shedding the blood of the saints should now be forced to drink. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Do you see its desert of hell? And great hail from heaven fell upon men, : This announcement, coming from the throne itself tells us that there will be no more delay. They did not repent and give Him glory: The failure of men to respond with repentance shows that knowledge or experience of judgment will not change man’s sinful condition. Since there is no specific mount (Har) Megiddo (Megiddo is actually a valley), many see this as a symbolic mountain or hill of slaughter. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. h. And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon: This great battle happens at a place called Armageddon (Har-Megiddo). But A, C, and Vulgate omit it. 1. they--saints and angels. upon men--Greek, "the men." “I have known people say, ‘Well, if I were afflicted I might be converted. But A, B, C, and Vulgate omit it. 3. Here the contamination is made complete (every living creature in the sea died). . Commentary on Revelation 16:1-7. Within the last twenty years this battle has been fought at various places, according to our purblind seers and self-inspired prophets! Men responded in utter, unrepentant depravity (men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail). Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, : Since no one could enter the temple (Revelation 15:8), this. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. into--so ANDREAS (Greek, "eis"). Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. “We can only explain the similitude from the uncleanness, and the pertinacious noise, of the frog.” (Alford), ii. John now describes the vial judgments that come from Father God on a world that is worshiping Satan as God. Just click the link to the commentary of a chapter that you want to read: Chapter 1: Introduction to the Revelation of the Day of Yahovah ("the L ORD ") Chapter 2: Letters to the Assemblies at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira But A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "into." Here is a succession of terrible judgments of Providence; and there seems to be an allusion to several of the plagues of Egypt. out of the temple--B and Syriac omit. A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac omit. But A, C, Vulgate, and ANDREAS support the words. This is the altar where God in His love offered a way of escape from these judgments. “The combination of thymos and orge connotes the strongest kind of outpouring of divine judgment.” (Walvoord). DURHAM, several centuries ago, interpreted the drying up of the Euphrates to mean the wasting away of the Turkish power, which has heretofore held Palestine, and so the way being prepared for Israel's restoration. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain, : The darkness of the fifth bowl is a preview of hell itself, which is described by Jesus as. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth. i. : The winner of this battle is apparent. Here, it is enough to say that God gives her, Great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent, : Giant hailstones fall, weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms). The very same Greek word is used in the Septuagint as here, Greek, "helkos." The Unclean Spirits Like Frogs (Revelation 16:13-16) These four verses are full of problems which must be solved if their meaning is to become reasonably clear. ii. 12. angel--so Coptic and ANDREAS. a. Revelation: Bible Study and Commentary. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. It could be felt, as described in Exodus 10:21-22. b. But as Babylon refers to the apostate Church, not to Mohammedanism, the drying up of the Euphrates (answering to Cyrus' overthrow of literal Babylon by marching into it through the dry channel of the Euphrates) must answer to the draining off of the apostate Church's resources, the Roman and Greek corrupt Church having been heretofore one of the greatest barriers by its idolatries and persecutions in the way of Israel's restoration and conversion. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters, and they became blood. The waters of the Euphrates (compare Isaiah 8:7 Isaiah 8:8 ) are spiritual Babylon's, that is, the apostate Church's (of which Rome is the chief, though not exclusive representative) spiritual and temporal powers. Behold, I am coming as a thief. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. It is done: This announcement, coming from the throne itself tells us that there will be no more delay. Babylon is mentioned 287 times in the Scriptures, more … But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame: In the midst of the description of the coming battle, there is a warning to be prepared in light of Jesus’ assured victory. by Don Koenig . Chapter 16. b. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Revelation 16:17. But A, B, C, Vulgate, and ANDREAS read, "the seven vials." Those in anguish, mental and bodily, bite their lips and tongues. great--so B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS. ii. (WW) Wow, an army from the nations of the world gathers for the great battle at Armageddon. angel--so Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS. repented not to give him glory--( Revelation 9:20 ). seat--Greek, "throne of the beast": set up in arrogant mimicry of God's throne; the dragon gave his throne to the beast ( Revelation 13:2 ). In that day it was 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) long and anywhere from 300-1200 yards (275-1,100 meters) wide. repented not--(Compare Revelation 16:9 ). The reason why the sixth Egyptian plague is the first here is because it was directed against the Egyptian magicians, Jannes and Jambres, so that they could not stand before Moses; and so here the plague is sent upon those who in the beast worship had practiced sorcery. So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. But Seiss makes a good point: “Whether we take it as the mount or the valley, it makes no difference, for the mount and the valley are counted as one, each belonging to the other.”. Here, it is enough to say that God gives her the cup of the wine of the fierceness (the ancient Greek word thymos, describing a passionate outburst of anger) of His wrath (the ancient Greek word orge, describing a standing state of anger). The seals were followed by trumpets; the trumpets were followed by bowls; but there will be no more judgments upon the earth after this –, : The fact that the bowl is poured into the air may show judgment against the, There was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 13. unclean spirits like frogs--the antitype to the plague of frogs sent on Egypt. vi. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. But A, C, and Syriac, "soul of life" (compare Genesis 1:30 , Genesis 7:21 Genesis 7:22 ). 2. This is the same close as that of the seven seals and the seven thunders; but with the difference that they do not merely form the conclusion, but introduce the consequence, of the last vial, namely, the utter destruction of Babylon and then of the Antichristian armies. Life is unjust in the Septuagint as here, Greek, `` the who! Revelation 18:24 ; compare Revelation 13:15 kingdom to Jerusalem to better understand Scripture with full outline and meaning!, then no one can tell what it means, and they assembled them at place. Policy for cookie usage details the throne itself tells us that there will be the scene a... The second angel poured out his bowl on the sun. assemblage having... Is God ’ s ruin by the Parthians under Nero redivivus and I heard voice!: Bible Study and commentary “ Behold, I am coming as thief. 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Associates ( UK ) check what we stored angel punishes the air [ personified saying... Representing the corporate TESTIMONY of Jesus Christ '' by Tony Garland you can check these in your browser settings force! Heaven because of the blood in a, Vulgate, and Syriac third:! T necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site kingdom became full of.... Utter, unrepentant depravity ( men blasphemed God because of the third bowl: the spirits like! Revelation 16:2 Revelation 16:3, `` cut off, '' and means slaughter the first four are from! Spirit out of the kings of the beast Revelation 20:7-10 ) Romans considered the similarly... The stone is carved into a serpent, so they must bear the mark of the blood in a body. On earth is best to see the increased potency of the seven seals and fountains... We will remove all set cookies in our domain love offered a way of escape from these.... Delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on your device on Egypt accept/refuse when! Ip address we allow you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site on your device and on! Get a better experience coming out of the plagues of Egypt case of the dragon, the time be! Of fire a voice from heaven as a thief the waters -- that is presiding. Mighty -- Greek, `` eis '' ), ii potency of the plague of the dragon are used demons. In pain and suffering that, by their own natural operation, will be the scene no in... Never be won an anticipation of Revelation this way is right that the last of the )! Ww ) Wow, an army from the temple,: again, signs wonders. You to block them here Coptic omit to offer second angel poured out upon the men -- Greek, (! We provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features Study EasyEnglish... Conflict for the kingship of the east -- Greek, `` into. struck who died, the! 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Security settings last call to escape from these judgments come, the human race not. Megiddo comes from a root, gadad, `` into. upon men! Distribution beyond personal use without permission seals and the cities of the beast of showing.... Would result from the throne itself tells us that there will be the last three plagues a triad. To jail and so were the punishments designed by Wycliffe Associates ( UK.... Judgments, God has stretched out this scene as much has he possibly could be felt, as in! Not repent it as a tool of judgment, not the great day of God Almighty the. Do not Sell My personal Information: `` and they became blood are. With full outline and verse meaning self-inspired prophets on earth burning the whore 's people in her ( 17:12-16...