THE SEVENTH VIAL # 55

“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. 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. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”  (Revelation 16:13-16).

These four verses are parenthetical and digress temporarily from the action to explain how Satan lures these armies to the great battle.

       An unholy trinity will be at work to bring down the armies of the world to the great battle of Armageddon, which is called, “that great day of God Almighty.” In order to do this, supernatural powers will be required. Thus, the flattery, promises, and miracles of the three persuade them to come into the land of Israel.

Notice that Satan is consistent with the first mention principle in Scripture. As in the beginning, so it is here. He is ever the great deceiver. He is a liar and the father of the lie. Not only is he a liar, he is described in the most revolting image imaginable. He is first introduced as a serpent. Now, his demonic ambassadors are described as frogs. Devils fall into different classes. These are called unclean. What could be more disgusting? Frogs live in the swamp. They love darkness and do most of their work under the cover of the night. They were unclean and forbidden to Israel. Also, these spirits come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. All three work in unison to bright these nations to the battle of slaughter. 

       The warning and the blessing for those who watch and remain faithful is consistent with kingdom theology. It is seen repeatedly in the Gospels, and in Hebrews through Revelation. (See Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3.)

The Seventh Vial

 “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.  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 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. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.  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; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.”  (Revelation 16:17-21).

When the seventh vial is poured out into the air, a voice is heard from within the temple in heaven, along with other voices combined with thunder and lightning. These are accompanied with one of the greatest earthquakes the world has ever experienced. Some believe the great city to be Jerusalem. However, it is most likely the city of Babylon that is divided into three sections and her destruction is complete in one hour. That will be described in full in chapter 18.

Bullinger says the cities, which were destroyed, are the capital cities of the confederated nations that were allies of the beast.

There will also be great topographical changes within the Holy Land and, no doubt, in the surrounding regions.  (See Zechariah 14:1-5, 8; Isaiah 13:19-22; 14:4.)

The vial, which is poured out into the air, causes such violent storms and updrafts that hail stones accumulate to a weight of 100-114 pounds each. It will not be a good day for flying in the Middle East. A similar storm was also in Egypt. 

Twenty Things Done Under the Seventh Vial:

The second coming of Christ (19:21)

1. The 70th week of Daniel ends (Dan. 9:27)
2. Great tribulations end (Rev. 11:15 — Rev. 19:21; Mt. 24:15-22; Dan. 12:1-7)
3. The judgments of the seals, trumpets, and vials end (Rev. 6:1 — Rev. 19:21)
4. The wrath of God started in the 6th seal ends (Rev. 6:12-17; 16:17 — Rev. 19:21)
5. Two witnesses end their earthly career (Rev. 11:3-14; Rev. 16:17 — Rev. 19:21)
6. Israel is liberated from Gentiles under Antichrist (Rev. 12:1 — Rev. 19:21; Zech. 14)
7. Jerusalem is delivered from Gentiles (Lk. 21:24; Rev. 11:1 — Rev. 19:21; Zech. 14)
8. Martyrdom of saints ends (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6)
9. Beast worship ends (Rev. 13:1-18; 19:20)
10. Babylon is destroyed (Rev. 16:17-21)
11. The times of the Gentiles end (Lk. 21:24; Rom. 11:25-29; Rev. 19:11-21)
12. Gentile world powers are defeated at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14)
13. Many cities of the nations fall by an earthquake (Rev. 16:17-21)
14. Great physical changes on earth take place (Rev. 11:13; 16:17-21; Zech. 14:4)
15. First resurrection is completed (Rev. 11:12; 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6)
16. The Day of the Lord begins (Rev. 20:1-10)
17. The Antichrist’s reign ends (Rev. 19:11-21)
18. Satan’s reign on earth ends (Rev. 19:11 — Rev. 20:3; Isa. 24:21-22)
19. Second coming; the eternal reign of Christ begins (Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10)

Dake’s Study Bible