Prophecies of the Bible: Chapter 16

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

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

:3 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.

:4 And the third angel poured out his vial on the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

:5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Thou are righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus,

:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

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

:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over all these plagues: and they repent not to give him glory.

:10 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.

:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Eu-phra'tes; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

:13 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.

:14 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.

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

:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Ar-ma-ged'don.

:17 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.

:18 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 and earthquake, and so great.

:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Bab'y-lon came in rememberance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

:21 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, since the plague thereof was exceeding great.

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Revelation of Jesus Christ

Verse 1
"...Go your ways, and pour out the vials..."

This chapter begins with the command being issued to the seven angels to go forth and pour out their vials, or bowls. These judgments appear to be poured out in a sequential manner; and increasingly compound the misery of those upon whom they are poured. The first five of these are directed at the kingdom of the Beast and his subjects. Vials six and seven deal primarily with the judgments which are to be poured out upon the great city of Babylon.
Verse 2
"...the first went, and poured out his vial..."

The execution of this judgment causes a "...noisome and grevious sore..." to come upon those who have taken the mark of the beast and/or worship his image. The sore appears to be associated with the area of the mark itself. Some interpret it to be a malignant or cancerous affliction which may be associated with the process, or materials used in marking the people.

Many who study the marking system of the beast, believe implanting of micro-chips, like those currently used for animal identification, will eventually come into use on the human population. Some studies, made on the useage of these chips in animals, have shown that malignant cancerous growth have indeed been found at the site of some implants; and in some instances these growths have actually swallowed up the chips themselves. Could this be a preview of what shall happen with the fulfillment of this verse?

There doesn't appear to be any distinction between those who have the mark and worship the beast; and those who don't worship the beast, but took the mark purely for economic advantage, or out of fear of persecution. All who have it are afflicted.
Verse 3
"...the second angel poured..."

With this judgment, it appears that the currents in the sea are stilled causing the water to be depleted of its oxygen. The sea becomes calm like a glass surface: no currents, no waves and no wind stirring the surface by which its oxygen supply can be replenished. The results is a lifeless condition, comparable to the state of the blood of a dead man, and in which all marine life in the sea is destroyed.

Whether this pertains to all the seas and oceans of the world, or if it is related only to those which border on the Kingdom of the Beast, is not certain. The first, third, fourth and fifth bowls are clearly directed at the Kingdom of the Beast, so it would appear that this one is in line with that as well. Specifying the kingdom of the Beast, as the target in verse 10, is suggestive that his kingdom is not worldwide at this point. In fact, his efforts to achieve that goal will be thwarted by the second coming of Jesus at the end of the tribulation period.
Verse 4 - 7
"...the third angel poured..."

The third judgment to befall the Beast's kingdom is the rivers and springs of water are smitten so that they appear to run red with blood. The explanation in verses 5 and 6 can be summed up by saying, that those smitten are a blood-thirsty people who have killed God's saints and prophets. Since their thirst for blood seems to be unquenchable, God will give them, as it were, all the blood they could possibly desire to drink.

Verse 7 basically adds an A-men to what the angel of the waters stated in verses 5 and 6.
Verse 8 - 9
"...the fourth angel poured..."

The misery of those who have taken the mark of the Beast continues to mount. This vial judgment is poured out upon the sun causing the people to be scorched with great heat. It appears to be a fulfillment of effects which would, no doubt, be experienced under the prophecy of {Isaiah 30:26}

Even with the assorted judgments inflicted upon those with the mark; rather than repent of their gross sins, they blaspheme God, further sealing their fate.
Verses 10 - 11
"...the fifth angel poured..."

Following the unprecendented heat and light released by the last judgment, the kingdom of the Beast is now plunged into total darkness.

"they gnawed their tongues for pain" is as to say, what is happening doesn't seem to be real. It's almost dream-like to believe that such things could come to those who have given their hearts and allegiance to the one who has proclaimed himself to be the saviour of the earth.

They have become so deluded, and their hearts so hardened, that they can find no place for repentance in them. To the contrary, they escalated their blasphemy, cursing God, and blaming Him rather than themselves for such judgments falling upon the world. What a horrible day it shall be for the earth: its darkest hour!

Verse 12
"...the sixth angel poured out his vial..."

As stated earlier, the sixth and seventh vials deal primarily with the judgement against the great city of Babylon.

It is stated that when the sixth angel pours out his vial, the great river Euphrates will be dried up "...that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared".

Why would such a thing be considered one of the seven last great displays of God's wrath? One might get the impression that the Euphrates River will pose a physical barrier to the kings of the east, moving westward to Megiddo to join the Antichrist. Most armies of any great size however, possess the technology, and are skilled in the use of portable (pontoon) bridges, so this would not appear to be a major obstacle to their movement.

A more likely explanation for this is that the river is dried up in preparation for the judgment and destruction which is about to befall the great city of Babylon. The kings of the east are among those who were under Babylon's control. Once she is destroyed, there will remain no futher reason for them not to join forces with the Antichrist (their way is prepared).

Ancient Babylon sat straddling the great river Euphrates, as will the future rebuilt Babylon. When the fiery judgment of God comes upon her; and with the waters of the river stopped, there will be no way to extinguish or control the flames that will destroy the city.

In Rev. 18:11, the kings of the earth mourn, after Babylon's destruction because, "...no man buyeth their merchandise anymore..." With her destruction, the Antichrist can say to them, "She is gone! I now have all of her wealth. You want to buy and sell your goods, come and join me and we will build a new and prosperous world together."

The kings of the east will undoubtedly include the Asian economies of China, Japan, South Korea and others who are already rising on the world scene as a sleeping economic giant.
Verses 13 - 14
"...three unclean spirits like frogs..."

Out of the mouths of the Satanic Trinity go spirits of demons, who go forth to the kings of the whole world, causing miraculous signs to be performed before them so that they will be convinced to follow the Beast and unite with him at Megiddo. Having witnessed the destruction of mighty Babylon at the hands of the Beast, they will easily fall prey to his devious plan.
Verse 15
"...I come as a thief..."

The admonition of Jesus is given here, as if to say, the world is as a householder who is in a deep sleep (Matt. 24:43) and not even aware of the thief who waiting just outside of the house for the best time to carry out his plan. Be watchful and follow the signs of the times and you will not be caught off-guard, as will be a sleeping world (I Thess. 5:1-8).

Verse 16
"...a place called in Hebrew the Hebrew tongue Ar-ma-ged'don."

Armageddon is a much misused word, not only among those who study Biblical Prophecy, but within the secular world as well. Many believe it is about a final nuclear confrontation between the super-powers and the pending annhilation of the earth's population. The nations of the world will be aligned into two opposing groups, and just as they are about to initiate a nuclear exchange that will destroy the earth, Jesus will appear and stop them.

In truth however, the scenario for Armageddon is not about that at all. Armageddon represents a time when the nations of the earth have basically put aside their differences and have come together in order to focus on a final solution to the Jewish problem {Zech. 14:2}, which is standing in their way to achieving a new and final World Order.

Where Hitler failed, the Antichrist is determined to succeed; ridding this world of all vestiges of the promises of God to this people. It's a sort of "Babel" in reverse (Gen. 11:8-9).

The spirit of Nimrod (the Antichrist) has returned, to lead a unified world in a campaign whereby man's greatness, under the leadership of Satan's annointed one, will triumph over the God of heaven and His annointed. The end however, has been decreed from the beginning: God wins, Satan loses!

Verse 17 - 18
"...seventh angel poured out his vial..."

With the pouring out of this vial into the air, a voice from heaven sounds the words, "It is Done!". This represents the closure for {15:8}, whereby the seventh angel has gone out of the temple, poured out the final bowl judgment upon the earth; and thus has vented the wrath of Almighty God. With these words, access into the temple of heaven has now been restored.
"...voices, and thunderings, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake,.."

Here we see a veritable storm of judgments, beginning in the heavens and ending in the earth. These are, for the most part, pointed towards the great harlot of the earth, Babylon.

Verse 19
"... Babylon was remembered..."

As stated previously, the judgement of Babylon, which will be covered in more depth in Chapters 17 and 18, is to be a dual judgment: "...is fallen, is fallen..." (17:16 ; 18:21). This repetitive phrase is akin to the "...Woe, woe, woe..." of chapter 8:13, which speaks of three seperate judgments.

The Beast and his armies will destroy the city; then God Himself will destroy the site upon which the city was built in such a way that it cannot ever be inhabited again. Looking ahead we can see this possible scenario:

The beast and ten kings shall plunder Babylon (17:12) and strip her of her wealth and treasures (18:17) . They will demolish her walls and utterly burn the city with fire (17:16). Following this they will march westward and regroup at Megiddo (Armageddon) in Israel (16:16) making ready for their final assault to rout out the Jews who will have re-taken control of Jerusalem (Zech. 12: 8-10).

Appeals will be sent out (16:13-14) to the bewildered kings of the earth (previous patrons of Babylon); to join in with all the nations in executing the "final solution" to the Jewish problem. They will be easily deceived and persuaded to fall into line with the plan of the beast by the miracles wrought by the satanic trinity (verses 13-14).

Scripture also tell us that the people of the area of Babylon will attempt to extinguish the fire and save the city (Jer. 51:8-9); and that they will grow weary in this losing battle (Jer. 51:58).

The Euphrates River which was previously dried up (16:12), will be of no help in extinguishing or controling the blaze. Its dry bed is being readied to become the avenue through which God will channel her ultimate destruction.

Through the occurrance of the world's greatest earthquake (verse 18), God will divide the burning city into three parts (16:19) and the cities of the world, which followed Babylon, will also be devastated.

God's wrath will be severely kindled against all of those who attempt to save the city. He will send down hugh hailstones upon the people (16:21) and then the final judgment will come upon the city as described in Isa. 34:9-10:

"Its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone; Its land shall become burning pitch.
It shall not be quenched night or day; Its smoke shall ascend up forever and ever. From generation to generation it shall lie waste. No one shall pass through it forever and ever."
Herein is Jer. 50:40 fulfilled concerning Babylon:

"...As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors, says the Lord, so no one shall reside there, Nor son of man dwell in it."

Large deposits of pitch are known to exist north of the Babylon site in Iraq. The Scripture above indicates that in that day such reserves will be channeled into Babylon through the Euphrates River and its tributaries. At this point, the Euphrates, which flows through the heart of corrupted Babylon, will become a "river of death". This, we may compare to its counterpart, the "river of life" which flows through the midst of the holy new Jerusalem (22:1). The very earth upon which Babylon sits shall be soaked in oil and pitch and the enormous heat generated by the fires, sent by God Himself, will literally turn its sandy soil into molten brimstone.

In short order, Babylon will sink like a millstone (Rev. 18:21) into what will become a lake of fire and brimstone; and she shall never rise from it, nor will people ever establish their homes there again.

"....Thus shall Babylon sink, and not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her:.." (Jer. 51:64)

With this, it seems most probable that the Babylonian inferno will become the "Lake of Fire" into which every foul spirit will be cast (18:2 ;19:20 ; 20:10). Also, "... the slain of all the earth..." (Jer. 51:49) will fall (be cast into the lake of fire) at Babylon ( Rev. 20:15).

Her destruction will be so awesome that smoke of the fire ignited by this judgment will ascend up "...for ever and ever..." (19:3). This phrase is a measure of both time and distance, indicating the tremendous supply of fuel (oil) which is needful for such a display. So enormous will be this fire that the top of this smoke will not be visible, nor will there be any technology on earth able to stop, or bring this burning under control. It will continue to burn through the Millennial reign of Christ and the saints; and then throughout all eternity, as this present world passes away with it. For it is set ablaze by God Almighty!

CHAPTER SUMMARY

This chapter begins with the command being issued to the seven angels to go forth and pour out their vials. These judgments appear to be poured out in a sequential manner; and increasingly compound the misery of those upon whom they are poured.

The first five of these are directed at the Kingdom of the Beast and his subjects. Vials six and seven deal primarily with the judgments which are to be poured out upon the great city of Babylon.
With the initial destruction of Babylon, the Antichrist will gather his forces at Megiddo (Armageddon) in Israel for the final push to eradicate the Jews, who have retaken the cty of Jerusalem. The call goes out to world leaders to join him in this effort; and so it is fulfilled that God will "gather all nations together against Jerusalem".

The chapter ends by going back somewhat, to set the stage for presenting the judgments which are reserved for Babylon.

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