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THE INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION OF THE GREAT WHORE # 58

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The Interpretation of the Vision of the Great Whore #58

 REVELON BOOK

“And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.”  (Revelation 17:7).

John was asked why he marveled at the sight of the woman and the beast that carried her. He was told he would be given understanding of their meaning. In the explanation, ten verses (8-17) are given to the beast and only one to the woman (18).

 “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”  (Revelation 17:8).

Most of the disagreement in interpreting Revelation is over the identity of this beast. Many confuse it with the man who is the Antichrist. As pointed out earlier, there are many different beasts in Scripture. In Genesis 1:24 God called for the earth to bring forth “beasts” after its kind. This speaks of the animal kingdom.  In Genesis 7 we are introduced to the fact that there were clean and unclean beasts.

In Daniel’s vision we see that kings of the earth and their kingdoms are classified as “beasts”. (See Daniel 7:5-7). In Revelation 4:7 the four living creatures around the throne of God are classified as beasts. In 11:7 a beast comes out of the pit; in 13:1 a beast rises up out of the sea; in 13:11 another beast comes up out of the earth; in 16:10 there is the kingdom of the beast; in 17:3 there is a scarlet colored beast which supports the great city, Babylon. In 17:8 the beast “was” and “is not” and shall come from the “bottomless pit” and be cast into “perdition.” This beast, in this context we believe, is the prince of Greece, as stated earlier.  The word “perdition” means destruction and nothing more.

In verse 11, the eighth beast, which is the Antichrist, is a man who also goes into perdition. We know where he goes and what his perdition is by looking at Revelation 20:10, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”  This is their perdition or destruction.

  “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”  (Revelation 17:9-11).

First, we are told that the seven heads on the beast are seven mountains. These are not literal mountains, but are seven kings with their kingdoms, which were contemporary with Israel’s history and practiced the corrupt religion of Babylon.

Mountains, in the Bible, are often called kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar was spoken of as a “destroying mountain” (Jeremiah 51:25). When Jesus returns at the Second Advent, His Kingdom will be called a mountain. “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35). (See also Isa. 2:2.) It should be remembered that the woman was sitting on the beast whose seven heads consisted of the seven kings, each of which is designated a mountain, and she was on each mountain as soon it came became a kingdom. Satan and the beast kingdoms, and the woman are blended into one system.

Five of the previous kings with their kingdoms had fallen. We believe these five are:

  1. Egypt
  2. Assyria
  3. Babylon
  4. Medo-Persia
  5. Greece

       John said, “One is.” Rome was the sixth empire to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles and is the 4th empire in the book of Daniel. It is symbolized in Daniel as the legs of iron (Daniel 2:33, 40), the non-descript beast (Daniel 7:7-8, 23-24), and the 6th head on the beast in Revelation 17:9-17. Rome oppressed Israel over 200 years and dispersed the Jews in A.D. 70 (Daniel 9:26-27; Matthew 24:1-3; Luke 21:20-24). It is from the old Roman territory that the next two kingdoms will arise.

  “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”   (Revelation 17:12-13).

       The kingdom, which “was not”, is the seventh and will be revised Rome, and will oppress Israel in the end times of the Gentiles. It will be made up of ten kingdoms inside the territory of the old Roman Empire. It is revised, not revived. Ten kings will rule these kingdoms, with ten separate capitals formed inside the Roman Empire territory. This is symbolized in Daniel by the ten toes (Daniel 2:40-45) and ten horns (Daniel 7:7-8, 19-24), and by ten horns in Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:9-17.

The ten were not in John’s day, but will form a kingdom in the first half of the Tribulation. Out of these ten the Antichrist will arise. They will give their authority and kingdoms to his leadership, willingly, or by force.

The ten reigned before the Antichrist ever came on the scene. Their kingdoms, without him, formed the seventh. His will become the eighth.

  “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”  (Revelation 17:14).

       These ten, with the Antichrist, fight against the Lamb of God at His Second Advent and are handily defeated. (Psalm 2.) They that are with Christ are those who were called, chosen, and faithful in the Day of the Lord.

 “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”  (Revelation 17:15-18).

       The ten kings, with the Antichrist, will hate the parasite city, Babylon, and will plunder and sack it. Afterwards, they will destroy it by fire. It was God’s will that it be destroyed. He found willing subjects to execute his will. Satan, no doubt, motivated them to destroy Babylon. The reaction of the kings of the earth, who profited from her wealth and enjoyed her corrupt religion, wail over her destruction. This is described in chapter 18.

 

MYSTERY BABYLON #57

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REVELON BOOK   The “many waters” on which the whore sits consist of, “…peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15).  “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”  (Revelation 17:2).

An identifying mark of all heathen nations is idolatry and immorality. This indictment reaches far beyond, and before, pagan Rome or papal Rome. It existed thousands of years before Rome ever became a nation.

John says he saw, “…that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18) – supported by the scarlet colored beast which “was, and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit…” (v 8).  The eighth beast is the Antichrist. He is a man and will be directed and empowered by the beast from the pit.  The beast, which ascends out of the pit, is a satanic angel which ruled over the kingdom of Greece.  You will notice that the beast, collectively, has seven heads and ten horns. The seven and the ten may be contemporaries during the last half of the tribulation.

Some commentators believe seven of the former demonic powers, or beasts, come from below and rule within the kingdom of the Antichrist, along with the ten kings. All would be ruling collectively, and each king would rule its own army. The beast would then have its seven heads and ten horns. This would form one superhuman power under the rule of Satan. It would be in its supernatural form.

 “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” (Revelation 17:4).

The city, v.18, was adorned with purple and scarlet colors and garnished with precious stones.  The description of the city shows its wealth and luxuries. The metals and colors do not indicate anything else. Gideon, when asked to rule over Israel, declined. However, he did request that each warrior give him an earring of gold they had taken from their enemies.  “And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of  Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks” (Judges 8:26).  Note also the wealth of King Ahasuerus, which was displayed at his party. “Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble” (Esther 1:6).  Revelation 17:4 describes the wealth of Babylon. It is her luxuries and idolatrous worship that attracted the nations to her. The cup in her hand is not the mass offered by the Catholic Church. The golden cup symbolizes the abominations and filthiness of her idolatrous system, which she extends to the nations and of which they drink.

“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”  (Revelation 17:5).

       The name of the woman was kept a secret until the end of the chapter. There, it is revealed that this is not any individual woman, but the great city, Babylon. Not only is the woman a material city, it is also its vast system of idolatry.

The woman is not Rome. She is much older and bigger than Rome. Rome is simply one of its many streams. Babylon is the fountainhead, the mother. Idolatry was in full bloom long before pagan or papal Rome ever existed. The corruption of Babylon had spread to the entire world hundreds of years before pagan Rome or papal Rome ever came into existence. Some examples are: “And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon” (Acts 7:41-43).  See also, Amos 5:25-26, “Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.”  See 1 Kings 11:5, “For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.”  For a shocking description of Babylon’s influence on Israel and an account of King Josiah’s zeal to clean up Judah, see 2 Kings 23:4-14. “And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.   And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.  And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.  And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.  And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city.   Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.  And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.  And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 

And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.  And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.  And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.”

Are we to assume that Rome is the mother of these idolatries?  As wicked and corrupt as Rome is, she cannot be the mother. Rome is but one of the many polluted streams of Babylon.

Many have wrongly identified the woman, spiritualized the text, and made her the Roman Catholic Church. Then they contrast her with a true church, which they say, was started by John the Baptist. They conclude that the only true churches are the ones which came from John the Baptist. According to them, all other churches are “harlot” churches which came from their mother, the Roman Catholic Church. This false teaching has led to the teaching of a Baptist Bride Church as the only true church, and a rejection of all baptism except Baptist Bride baptism.

THE VISION OF THE GREAT WHORE #56

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 The Vision of the Great Whore

REVELON BOOK Chapter 17 and 18 are parenthetical and they explain in greater detail what God has declared in the text below.

 “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication”  (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”  (Revelation 14:8).

 Chapter 17:1-6 – The Vision

Chapter 17:7-18 – The Interpretation

 “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”  (Revelation 17:1-2).
We are not told which of the seven angels came to show John the vision. John is invited to go into the wilderness with the angel to witness God’s judgment on the city of Babylon. The analogy of a “wilderness” is used to contrast her life style with the place of her judgment. The area surrounding Babylon was one of unparalleled beauty.  Two mighty rivers flowed through her lush fields and orchards making it a virtual paradise. It was, in appearance, like the Garden of Eden. However, it was full of foul, demonic spirits. The wilderness was a symbol of the place of judgment.

There are 286 references to Babylon by name in the Scriptures. Many Old Testaments prophecies foretold her destruction. The Medes and the Persians fulfilled some of them at their invasion of Babylon in 539 B.C. However, many prophecies were far reaching and are yet to be fulfilled in Revelation 17 and 18.

Chapter 17 is about the city of Babylon (see v. 18), which was the fountainhead of all religious idolatry. It was founded and fostered by Nimrod under the prompting of Satan in 2312 B.C.  (See Genesis 10.) The “secret” or mystery of the idolatry and the immorality associated with her religion is revealed in this chapter. “Mystery Babylon” was written on her forehead. The sealed 144,000 followers of Jesus have their Father’s name in their forehead. The followers of the beast have his name or number in their forehead; and the whore has her name, “Mystery Babylon,” on her forehead. This shows her obstinate and shameless nature. She is without a conscious concerning her immorality, and she prides herself in it.  The city of Babylon is called “The Mother of Harlots.”

Babylon is called “the great whore.”  Idolatry, in Scripture, was associated with all kinds of sexual immorality. This was a title given to any person, religion, or nation who forsook the true God and went after other religions.  Moses knew the people whom he had led from Egypt and was confident they would forsake God and embrace idolatry after his death.  “And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them” (Deuteronomy 31:16).

Vine says, “The act of harloting after strange gods was more than changing gods, however. This was especially true when Israel went after the Canaanite gods, for the worship of these pagan deities involved actual prostitution with cult prostitutes connected with the Canaanite shrines. In the Old Testament, sometimes the use of the phrase “go a whoring after gods” implies an individual’s involvement with cult prostitutes. An example might be in Exodus 34:15-16: “Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods…. And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.” The religious theory behind such activity at the Canaanite shrine was that such sexual activity with cult prostitutes, both male and female, who represented the gods and goddesses of the Canaanite fertility cult, would stimulate fertility in their crops and flocks. Such cult prostitutes were not designated as prostitutes but rather “holy ones” or “set-apart ones,” since the Semitic term for “holy” means, first of all, to be set apart for a special use. This is illustrated in Deuteronomy 23:17: “There shall be no cult prostitute [set-apart one] of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a cult prostitute of the sons of Israel” (RSV), (“…whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel” (KJV). This theme of religious harlotry looms large in the prophets who denounce this backsliding in no uncertain terms. Ezekiel minces no words as he openly calls both Judah and Israel “harlots” and vividly describes their backsliding in sexual terms Ezekiel 16:6-63; 23.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament.

The “many waters” on which the whore sits consist of, “…peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15).  “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”  (Revelation 17:2).

 

THE SEVENTH VIAL # 55

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REVELON BOOK“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

The Seven Plagues #54

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The Seven Plagues #54

REVELON BOOK  “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”  (Revelation 15:5-8).

 John’s attention is now turned to the tabernacle in heaven, and he witnesses seven angels exiting in single file. Each one has in his hand a bowl, which was used in temple worship. This time the bowls were not filled with perfume or oil for the lamps, but with the wrath of Almighty God!

The seriousness of the hour could not be more ominously portrayed. There is no levity here. All is determined, and every face is fixed and intent on carrying out the command of God. They are seven in number. There is perfection in their purpose. They are clothed in pure white. They are pure in their intent. They have golden girdles about their loins. They are restrained as to their mission. They are God’s servants for the hour.

The fact that the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and that no one was able to enter it, speaks of His righteous judgments and that there can be no intercession for those who have received the mark of the Beast. The hour of God’s mercy is past.

In this chapter the seven angels are commanded to go forth and pour out their vials on the earth. Each one is described in detail as he completes his assignment.

The First Vial

 “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”  (Revelation 16:1-2).

The command to pour out the vials on the earth is, no doubt, limited to the kingdom of the beast. The first vial caused a “grievous sore” upon all who had the mark of the beast. This vial is similar to that experienced by the Egyptians. (See Exodus 9:9-11.) The only people who escape this judgment are those who refuse to receive the mark.

 The Second Vial

“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.”  (Revelation 16:3).

      Under the second trumpet one third of the sea is turned to blood. (See 8:8.) This judgment is similar also to the plague in Egypt, (see Exodus 7:20-25), which was poured out on the Nile. The sea, not the seas, under judgment could be the Sea of Galilee, or possibly the Mediterranean.  All life in the sea dies and the water is turned to blood.

The Third Vial

“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.  And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.” (Revelation 16:4-7).

       This third vial is poured out on the rivers and water sources, and they became blood. This judgment is also similar to that in Egypt. (See Exodus 7:19-24.) The great whore has been the murderer of God’s people and prophets since the time of Nimrod, the mighty hunter. That brutality has continued until this day and will until the final vial is poured out. The angel declares that God is righteous in His judgment. Because of their thirst for the blood of the righteous, God gives them blood to drink. No doubt this vial is confined to the kingdom of the beast also. In addition, God will provide drinking water for those who have not taken the mark of the beast. If He did not, all flesh would die within three days.

The Fourth Vial

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”  (Revelation 16:8-9).

       Under the fourth trumpet the sun, moon, and the stars are effected, but in a different way. There, they are darkened and shown not for a third of the day and the night. Here, the heat of the sun is intensified. Men are burned from its intense heat, yet they refused to repent or turn to God. This shows the deceitfulness and hardening effect of sin. A man or woman can resist the call and the grace of God until there is no hope for them. You can get to the point where you are unwilling to repent, even if it means your destruction in this life and an eternity in hell.

The Fifth Vial

“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, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”  (Revelation 16:10-11).

This vial is poured out on the throne of the beast. His headquarters, at this time, will be in Jerusalem or in Babylon. The darkness will be literal and matches the darkness over the land of Egypt. (See Exodus 10:21-22.) This darkness is confined to the kingdom of the beast within the revised Roman Empire.

The Sixth Vial

 “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.”  (Revelation 16:12).  

The river Euphrates is mentioned also in chapter 9:14, under the sixth trumpet, where four demonic angels are bound in it. They are released and come forth to marshal an army of two hundred million! The events under this sixth vial are a continuation of that release.

The Euphrates River dries up to allow this massive army to cross over. These are those in that region who will be drawn to the battle of Armageddon as discussed in chapter 14. We cannot be certain who they are. Take your Bible map, look east of Israel and beyond the Euphrates, and make your guess.