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Revelation Chapter 16

By: Rich Puckett

Revelation 16: (v. 1-7) The first vial is poured out on the earth, the second on the sea, the third on the rivers and fountains.

(v. 8-11) The fourth on the sun, the fifth on the seat of the beast.

(v. 12-16) The sixth on the great river Euphrates.

(v. 17-21) And the seventh on the air, when shall follow the destruction of all antichristian enemies.

The first vial is poured out on the earth, the second on the sea, the third on the rivers and fountains

(Rev 16:1 KJV) And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Rev 16:1: Verses 1-7. We are to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Here is a succession of terrible judgments of Providence; and there seems to be an allusion to several of the plagues of Egypt. The sins were alike, and so were the punishments. The vials refer to the seven trumpets, which represented the rise of antichrist; and the fall of the enemies of the church shall bear some resemblance to their rise. All things throughout their earth, their air, their sea, their rivers, their cities, all are condemned to ruin, all accursed for the wickedness of that people. No wonder that angels, who witness or execute the Divine vengeance on the obstinate haters of God, of Christ, and of holiness, praise his justice and truth; and adore his awful judgments, when he brings upon cruel persecutors the tortures they made his saints and prophets suffer.

(Rev 16:2 KJV) And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

I find it interesting that most of the commentaries refer to this as the time in which Moses went to Egypt. I too agree with that point, but also then point out that gives a problem to much of today's teaching that says we are yet to receive the mark unless you put this in the light as being two different marks. I still hold to the thought that the mark is out actions that say we are Gods or Satan's. I believe Jesus said you would know the tree by the fruit in which it bears and that fruit is indeed a label up on us.

The first bowl indicates that the followers of the beast are stricken with serious physiological disorders.

(Rev 16:3 KJV) And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea.

Like the plague in Egypt in which Moses turned the Nile to blood, the second bowl inflicts a similar disaster upon the seas of the world. This can be understood as a blood-like pollution with death-dealing effects.

This could also be in reference to the many sea battles which have been fought and the lives of those who have died at sea.

(Rev 16:4 KJV) And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

In almost every country there have been many lives on rivers, from riverboats to floods. In the USA one could easily think of the civil war and how many lives were lost.

(Rev 16:5 KJV) And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

Gods judgement is always just even when we don't agree.

(Rev 16:6 KJV) For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy

God has never winked at those who would do harm to his chosen people. He didn't in the days of the Old Testament and he won't today. I warn you before you do harm to a man who professes to be of God and anointed by him think twice. You will be held accountable for the actions and words you do here.

The fourth on the sun, the fifth on the seat of the beast

(Rev 16:8 KJV) And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

There are many stories of those who have lost their lives in deserts and barren lands. We know what nuclear bombs have done and can still yet do. Rather past, present or future, many have and will die from such great heat.

Scorching heat might indicate radical alteration of atmospheric conditions on earth or intense nuclear explosions on the sun. Even these suggestions do not exhaust the possibilities.

Rev 16:8: Verses 8-11. The heart of man is so desperately wicked, that the most severe miseries never will bring any to repent, without the special grace of God. Hell itself is filled with blasphemies; and those are ignorant of the history of human nature, of the Bible, and of their own hearts, who do not know that the more men suffer, and the more plainly they see the hand of God in their sufferings, the more furiously they often rage against him. Let sinners now seek repentance from Christ, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, or they will have the anguish and horror of an unhumbled, impenitent, and desperate heart; thus adding to their guilt and misery through all eternity. Darkness is opposed to wisdom and knowledge, and forebodes the confusion and folly of the idolaters and followers of the beast. It is opposed to pleasure and joy, and signifies anguish and vexation of spirit.

(Rev 16:9 KJV) And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

The sad thing about punishment is it rarely brings about heart felt repentance. Winning a battle or even the war does not mean you have won the soul and heart as a friend. God tried these things over and over, thus he finally sent his son, to win us out of love and caring not by feats of punishment. Which way do you think was the more positive one and brought about the desired effect God was looking for? I think it was in the giving of his son, and by the very nature Christ showed and taught us to be. Being the biggest kids on the block don't mean you are the most loved, being feared might bring about forced obedience but not dedication and obedience though love. I feel God always wanted one thing from mankind and that was to serve him from a contrite heart with love.

Far from producing in men a humble repentance, the five bowls of wrath result in blasphemy and refusal to repent.

(Rev 16:10 KJV) And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

(Rev 16:11 KJV) And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Blindness is one of the worst things that can happen to a person, spiritual and physical. And we have seen both of these over the years. And on the day Christ died the world saw total darkness on the earth.

The sixth on the great river Euphrates

(Rev 16:12 KJV) And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

History has taught us of a number of cases where the rivers went dry and famine, I think the main thing to think of is how many spiritual rivers have gone dry. How many of us no longer find a church that we can drink of the true word or God. What a sad thing that has happened in our world more churches then ever before with less water the give then ever before. The hungry leave hungry, the thirsty leave dry and parched, the leaders think they know the will of God but are blind and real famine is in our land. We think church is the place of judgement and the kingdom of making rules and laws, how far from what God had planned, we are as misguided as the children of Israel were when they built idols of gold in the desert. Today men are still building organizations, and buildings, and programs, choirs, and all the things that will pass away instead of building hearts and lives. They talk of love but know not what it is. This is what this whole book warns of and even seeing it they do not understand it. We try to make it hard and some great mystery; the only mystery is why have we not learned that Christ came to save that which was lost and left us that same instruction. He never built a church, he never built a Baptist group, and he never took up love offering or demanded the tithes be paid to him. He didn't travel in a buggy or even a cart, yet leaders to day tell you this is what God wants. It’s a lie; God wants his leaders to lead, to win hearts and souls, to out reach to the poor and build Gods kingdom not the church membership roles. He could care less about the colleges and foundations, and the little food ministries you have done.

Rev 16:12: Verses 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. Or, take it for Rome, as mystical Babylon, the name of Babylon being put for Rome, which was meant, but was not then to be directly named. When Rome is destroyed, her river and merchandise must suffer with her. And perhaps a way will be opened for the eastern nations to come into the church of Christ. The great dragon will collect all his forces, to make one desperate struggle before all be lost. God warns of this great trial, to engage his people to prepare for it. These will be times of great temptation; therefore Christ, by his apostle, calls on his professed servants to expect his sudden coming, and to watch that they might not be put to shame, as apostates or hypocrites. However Christians differ, as to their views of the times and seasons of events yet to be brought to pass, on this one point all are agreed, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, will suddenly come again to judge the world. To those living near to Christ, it is an object of joyful hope and expectation, and delay is not desired by them.

(Rev 16:13 KJV) And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

The lies from those that claim to be his.

Three unclean spirits, as though it were a pseudo-trinity, emerge from the mouth of the dragon. Their express purpose is to inject the spirit of unrest and retaliation in the kings of the earth, gathering them together in a place called Armageddon (vv. 14-16). The Valley of Megiddo, or Armageddon, is located about 15 miles southeast of modern Haifa. Apparently this becomes the center of the strife of Armageddon, but it must be understood that the conflict necessarily rages over an even larger area.

(Rev 16:14 KJV) For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

(Rev 16:15 KJV) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

How much plainer can it be!

(Rev 16:16 KJV) And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

And the seventh on the air, when shall follow the destruction of all antichristian enemies

(Rev 16:17 KJV) And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Rev 16:17: Verses 17-21. The seventh and last angel poured forth his vial, and the downfal of Babylon was finished. The church triumphant in heaven saw it and rejoiced; the church in conflict on earth saw it and became triumphant. God remembered the great and wicked city; though for some time he seemed to have forgotten her idolatry and cruelty. All that was most secure was carried away by the ruin. Men blasphemed: the greatest judgments that can befal men, will not bring to repentance without the grace of God. To be hardened against God, by his righteous judgments, is a certain token of sure and utter destruction.

(Rev 16:18 KJV) And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

(Rev 16:19 KJV) And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

(Rev 16:20 KJV) And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

(Rev 16:21 KJV) And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

It is my thinking this is the final time when he comes to set in order the separation of the sheep from the goats.