Revelation 16:20

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 and you have God’s judgment on the kingdoms and on the kings. On the nations and on their civil rulers. For the early church the judgment of God’s wrath is poured out on Rome AND on the Emperor.

And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

A. A great hailstorm, with each hailstone weighing about 100 pounds, is falling from the sky. V. E. Howard suggests that the weight of a talent is about 100 pounds. (4, 110)

B. Again, there is no repentance. There is no plea for mercy. All God hears is more blasphemy. This reaffirms the view that God’s judgment is just. Men were so hardened that they would not repent even when tasting the wrath of God. Instead of seeking mercy and forgiveness, they curse and blaspheme God.