Bible Commentaries
Revelation 16

Verses 1-21

2 Compare Exodus 9:8-11; Job 2:7; Deuteronomy 28:27.

Temple Section-The Bowls

3 This corresponds very closely with the second trumpet (Revelation 8:8). That was limited to a third and affected the ships. The blood here is ''as if of a dead man."

4 The third trumpet (Revelation 8:10) affects a third of the rivers and springs in the same way as the third bowl. The first plague of Egypt (Exodus 7:17-21) is a limited sample of this very judgment.

5 "The messenger of the waters" gives us a glimpse into the divine economy. The various departments of nature seem to be under the guidance and control of special executives who are responsible for their operation. The messenger of the waters acquiesces in this infliction on the ground that the blood of God's witnesses whom they had slain demanded such a retribution. This is echoed by a voice from out of the altar, where the souls of the martyrs are waiting for this very action (Revelation 6:9). They call for vengeance on their enemies. This is right, in its place, but must not be imported into the present economy of God's grace. Our only recourse is to heap coals of fire on the heads of our enemies by returning good for their evil (Romans 12:20).

8 The fourth bowl, like the fourth trumpet (Revelation 8:12) affects the sun, but in an opposite way. Then a third of the sun and the moon and the stars were eclipsed. Now the heat of the sun is greatly intensified. This is one of the signs in the sun foretold by our Lord (Luke 21:25). This is the day that burns as an oven (Malachi 4:1) and its inhabitants are burned (Isaiah 24:6; Isaiah 42:25). Yet they do not obey the evangel and repent (Revelation 14:7).

10 This infliction corresponds to the three days' plague of darkness in Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23). Our Lord predicted a total withdrawal of the light of the sun and moon (Mark 13:24). Joel says that the sun should be turned into darkness (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20). Under the fifth trumpet the sun and air are darkened by the fumes out of the well of the abyss (Revelation 9:2).

12 In view of the reason given, the drying up of the Euphrates must be a literal event. Only so can it have any effect on the mobilization of the oriental armies. It is always best to interpret literally unless that is impossible. There is nothing contrary to fact here.

The Temple Section-Harmageddon

15 The best text reads "I am coming". The reference seems to be to the watchers in the temple at Jerusalem, in view of the great army coming against it. The inspector of the guard was wont to take away the cloak of anyone found napping. Christ is not coming for us as a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:4). He is coming with a shout (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

16 Har Megiddon, the mountain district of Megiddo, overlooks the great plain of Esdraelon, about forty miles north of Jerusalem. Here Barak defeated the Canaanites (Judges 5:19), Gideon the Midianites, and the Egyptians Josiah (2 Kings 23:29). There will be no battle of Armageddon. It is the place where the armies of the earth will mobilize for the battle with the Rider on the White Horse (1Revelation 9:19). The battle line will extend from Esdraelon down to Bozrah, a distance of about 184 miles. The battle which follows is described later (Revelation 19:11-21) when the Rider on the White Horse mobilizes His heavenly army and fights them with the sword which issues out of

His mouth. This battle is also referred to in the Vintage (Revelation 14:17-20), where the battle line is compared to along winetrough and the blood to the juice of grapes.

18 Does not this imply that there have been such seismic disturbances before mankind was on the earth, thus confirming the facts of geology? And do not the very strata of the earth's surface prove the possibility of such upheavals? There have been violent local earthquakes during the tenancy of mankind, but this one will be far more destructive and terrible than any in the experience of the race hitherto.

19 This is the climax of all the climaxes in this scroll. It ends the seventh bowl which ends the seventh trumpet which ends the seventh seal. The great earthquake destroys all the cities of the earth except Jerusalem. This is divided into three parts. The destruction of Babylon is detailed in the following chapters.

21 This hail is like one of the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 9:18-26). The stones will weigh over eighty-five pounds each. The effect of the earthquake and the hail will be like the springing of a mine beneath and a bombardment from above. It will be terrific.