CHAPTER XVI. _The angels are commanded to pour out their vials upon the_ _earth_, 1. _The first pours out his vial on the_ earth, _by which a grievous_ _sore is produced_, 2. _The second angel pours out his trial on the_ sea, _and it is_ _turned into blood_, 3. _The third angel pours out his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:2. _A NOISOME AND GRIEVOUS SORE_] This is a reference to the _sixth_ Egyptian plague, _boils and blains_, Exodus 9:8; Exodus 9:9, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:3. _AS THE BLOOD OF A DEAD MAN_] Either meaning blood in a state of _putrescency_, or an effusion of blood in _naval conflicts_; even the sea was tinged with the blood of those who were slain in these wars. This is most probably the meaning of this vial. These engagements were so... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:4. _UPON THE RIVERS AND FOUNTAINS OF WATERS_] This is an allusion to the _first_ Egyptian plague, Exodus 7:20; and to those plagues in general there are allusions throughout this chapter. It is a sentiment of the rabbins that "whatever plagues God inflicted on the Egyptians in fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:5. _THE ANGEL OF THE WATERS_] The rabbins attribute angels, not only to the four elements so called, but to almost every thing besides. We have already seen the _angel_ of the _bottomless pit_, Revelation 9:11, and _the angel of the fire_, Revelation 14:18. The _angel_ of the _ea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:6. _THOU HAST GIVEN THEM BLOOD TO DRINK_] They thirsted after blood and massacred the saints of God; and now they have got blood to drink! It is said that when _Tomyris_, queen of the Scythians, had vanquished Cyrus, she cut off his head and threw it into a vessel of blood, sayin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:8. _POURED OUT HIS VIAL UPON THE SUN_] Mr. Robert Fleming, more than _one hundred_ years ago, in his _View of Scripture_ _Prophecy_, supposed that the _sun_ here meant the _French empire_, and conjectured that this vial would be poured out on that empire about the year 1794. And... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:9. _THEY REPENTED NOT_] No moral national amendment has taken place in consequence of the above calamities in that unhappy country, nor indeed any of those nations engaged against her in that long and ruinous contest, which has now terminated, (1817,) without producing one politi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:10. _THE SEAT OF THE BEAST_] επι τον θρονον του θηριου _Upon_ _the throne of the wild beast_. The regal family was smitten by the fourth vial; they did not repent: then the fifth angel pours out his vial on the throne of the wild beast, or antichristian idolatrous power. _WAS FU... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:11. _BLASPHEMED THE GOD OF HEAVEN_] Neither did they repent; therefore other judgments must follow. Some think that the _sun_ was _Vitellius_, the Roman emperor, and that his _throne_ means _Rome_; and the darkening refers to the injuries she sustained in her political consequenc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:12. _UPON THE GREAT RIVER EUPHRATES_] Probably meaning the people in the vicinity of this river; though some think that the _Tiber_ is intended. _THE WATER THEREOF WAS DRIED UP_] The _people_ discomfited, and all impediments removed. _THE KINGS OF THE EAST_] There seems to be a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:13. _THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS_] Perhaps _false teachers_, called afterwards _spirits of devils_, which persuade the kings of the earth by _lying miracles_ to come forth to the place of general slaughter, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 16:16, Some good critics apply this to _Vespasian... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:15. _BEHOLD, I COME AS A THIEF._] Here is a sudden but timely warning to put every man on his guard, when this sudden and generally unexpected tribulation should take place. _KEEPETH HIS GARMENTS, LEST HE WALK NAKED_] Here is a plain allusion to the office of him who was called... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:16. _ARMAGEDDON._] The original of this word has been variously formed, and variously translated. It is הר־מגדון _har-megiddon_, "the mount of the assembly;" or חרמה גדהון _chormah_ _gedehon_, "the destruction of their army;" or it is הר־מגדו _har-megiddo_, "Mount Megiddo," the v... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:17. _POURED OUT HIS VIAL INTO THE AIR_] To signify that this plague was to be widely diffused, and perhaps to intimate that pestilences and various deaths would be the effect of this vial. But possibly _air_ in this place may have some emblematical meaning. _IT IS DONE._] It is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:18. _A GREAT EARTHQUAKE_] Most terrible commotions, both civil and religious. Or a convulsion, shaking, or revolution.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:19. _THE GREAT CITY_] Some say Jerusalem, others _Rome pagan_, others _Rome papal_. _THE CUP OF THE WINE OF THE FIERCENESS OF HIS WRATH._] Alluding to the mode of putting certain criminals to death, by making them drink a cup of poison. Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 2:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:20. _EVERY ISLAND FLED AWAY_] Probably meaning the capture of seaport towns, and fortified places.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 16:21. _A GREAT HAIL-ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF A TALENT_] Has this any reference to _cannon balls_ and _bombs_? It is very doubtful; we are all in the dark in these matters. The words ως ταλαντιαια, _as a talent_, are used to express something _great, excessively oppressive_; as νοσηματω... [ Continue Reading ]