Revelation 16:19

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. THE GREAT CITY - capital of the apostate church, spiritual Babylon (of which Rome is the representative). The city, in Revelation 11:8 (note), is distinct-namely, Jerusalem under Antichrist (the beast, distinct from the harlot, or apostate church). Compare Zechariah 13:8, as to Jerusalem, "two parts shall die, but the third shall be left." In Revelation 11:13, only a tenth falls of Jerusalem; whereas here the city (Babylon)...

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....

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....

AND THE GREAT CITY WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS - The city of Babylon; or the mighty power that was represented by Babylon. See the notes on Revelation 14:8. The division mentioned here in three parts was manifestly with reference to its destruction - either that one part was smitten and the others remained for a time, or that one form of destruction came on one part, and another on the others. In Revelation 11:13 it is said, speaking of “the great city spiritually called Sodom and Egypt” - representing Rome, that “the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand” (see the notes on that place); here it is said that the whole city, in the calamities that came upon it, was divided into three portions, though it is evidently impl

EXPOSITION In the judgments of the _vials, _or _bowls, _we have undoubtedly a recapitulation of what has been already foretold in the trumpet and seal visions. This recapitulation is not a mere repetition; but the idea contained in the first visions is strengthened and set forth more forcibly, in conformity with Revelation 15:1, where we are told the wrath of God is finished in these plagues of the vials. The following comparison will illustrate the points of resemblance and contrast between the visions of the trumpets and of the vials. _Trumpets._ 1. Hail, fire, and blood cast upon THE EARTH; _one third _trees, etc., burnt. 2._ One third _of SEA made blood; one third of creatures therein and of ships destroyed. 3.

And the great city was divided into three parts,.... By which is meant not Christendom, distinguished into Protestants, Papists, and neutrals, which has been long the case; nor the city of Jerusalem, as inhabited by Christians, Jews, and Turks; nor the city of Rome itself, the seat of the beast, which will have suffered under the fifth vial; but the whole Romish jurisdiction, which is the great city, that reigns over the kings of the earth, as it will now be; though some think the Turkish empire is meant, which they suppose was only afflicted under the preceding vial, but will now be divided into three parts, and afterwards into six, Ezekiel 39:1 and so come to ruin; and others are of opinion that it is included in this great city at least; and doubtless the remains of it are to be taken into this account, and probably are considered in the following clause; wherefore it is better to und...

BABYLON Summary: The Times of the Gentiles is that long period beginning with the Babylonian captivity of Judah, under Nebuchadnezzar, and to be brought to an end by the destruction of Gentile world-power by the "stone cut out without hands", (Daniel 2:34); (Daniel 2:35); (Daniel 2:44), that is, the coming of the Lord in glory (Revelation 19:11); (Revelation 19:21) until which time Jerusalem is politically subject to Gentile rule. (Luke 21:24

CHAPTER 16 Revelation 16:1 . The great voice commands the seven angels to go on their way and to empty the bowls upon the earth (Ps. 49:24). And these vials of judgments affect not only the Roman Empire, but the entire world, for the whole world is guilty before God. The first vial poured out produces a grievous sore upon the worshipers of the beast. While it is undoubtedly true that we have symbols also in these vial judgments, it is nevertheless possible that some of these plagues may have, besides the symbolical, also a literal meaning. The sixth plague which came upon Egypt, the first judgment upon the persons of the Egyptians, was also a sore (Exodus 9:10). The worshipers of the beast and of the image will be dreadfully afflicted....

REVELATION 16:17. The seventh bowl. The scene of destruction this time is the air. A mighty earthquake and a storm of hail follow, which involve the whole world, and specially Rome, in ruin. LIGHTNINGS. THUNDERS: so also after the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:19). A GREAT EARTHQUAKE: earthquakes followed the opening of the sixth and seventh seals (Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:5) and the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:19), but this earthquake is described as the greatest of all....

THE SEVENTH VIAL. "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came. great voice out of the temple or heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was. great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 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."--16:17-19. I have shown that these vials each represent calamities that befall the Papal power and follow in succession. The number _seven,_ is the perfect number. The seventh vial which completes the perfect number must be the grand consummation of the catastrophes of Rome. It is in harmony with the fitness of things that it should bring her utter de...