INTRODUCTION The previous chapter was a short introduction to what is coming here in chapter 16. As stated in the introduction to chapter 15, this chapter contains the most difficult section of the book. There is greater variety in the explanations and interpretations of this passage. In this chap... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 2 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._ A. The first bowl is poured out. B. There is a great sore (boil) that rises on the beast. One of the 10 plagues on Egypt w... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 3 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._ A. Immediately the second angel moves forward and pours his bowl on the sea. B. Since the “earth” of the first bowl is described as the people who worship the... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood._ A. The third angel is now center stage and pours out the third bowl of wrath. This bowl is poured on the rivers and springs of water. The water was turned to blood. Again, there is a similarity... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things._ A. The angel declares that the judgment of God is righteous. God is Just. I made some extended comments on this matter in the notes in chap... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.”_ A. Who are these under this plague? They are the ones who have shed the blood of the saints. God, in response to this violent bloodshed, gives them blood to drink. B. The an... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 7 And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”_ A. A second angel affirms the righteousness of the judgment of God. Jehovah is Almighty. B. The judgments of God are correct and righteous.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire._ A. Next comes the fourth angel with a bowl of wrath to pour out on the sun. It is clear that this is not taken as the literal sun in the solar system. B. The sun in this plague has the po... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory._ A. When these men are burned with this great heat of judgment, they have two choices. 1. They could weep, repent, seek forgiveness and plead... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain._ A. Subsequently, the fifth angel pours out his bowl of wrath on the seat of the beast. B. The seat of the beast represents the plac... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds._ A. THEY BLASPHEME GOD. They have done this wickedness and are angry that God is punishing them. They are not being falsely accused. They did the things for which they are being punishe... [ Continue Reading ]
BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON We are now ready to study the sixth bowl of wrath. In the verses that follow, we will need to understand the term “Armageddon.” There is much confusion and dissension about this matter. The most common view of this battle is a literal one. It is commonly held that the forces o... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet._ A. John next sees three unclean spirits. They are like frogs. B. NOTE: If the battle described here is literal, then the generals of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 14 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._ A. These frogs / spirits / generals in Satan’s army, appear to have the ability to perform miracles. Of course, the... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”_ A. The forces of Satan may think they are ready for battle. They have not seen battle until the meet the Almighty God. Amos warned of the serious mistake of thinking... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon._ A. All these evil forces gather together. They think they are ready, but they are not. B. The Hebrew transliteration is “Har Mageddon.” C. Any time one mentions “Armageddon”, most will recognize the term and have som... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 17 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!”_ A. The seventh and final angel pours out his plague in the air. It seems to me that the “air” would cover everything. The entire world is under th... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. This verse describes the final drum roll. Thunder, lightning, an earthquake; these are the signals that it is all over... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath._ A. The “great city” is the same as several terms used in the book of Revelation. Great city - 16... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found._ A. Most commentators believe that “island” represents the individual leaders of these nations. The previous verse mentions the cities of the nations. B. Mountains are used to represent kingdoms or nations. C. Combine these two a... [ Continue Reading ]