Revelation 16:1-21
Verse 1 – 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.
It appears the events of Revelation 16 all happen very quickly.
The word “great” appears several times in this chapter.
Revelation 16:1 – The great voice.
Revelation 16:9 – The great heat.
Revelation 16:12 – The great river.
Revelation 16:17 – The great voice.
Revelation 16:18 – The great earthquake.
Revelation 16:19 – The great city.
Revelation 16:19 – Great Babylon.
Revelation 16:21 – Great hail.
Revelation 16:21 – Great plague.
It might seem the deliverance of the saints and the destruction of the wicked will never take place, but both of these will occur in God’s own good timing.
The seals and trumpets have a break between the 6th and 7th judgment, but there is no break when the vial are poured out.
I Corinthians 15:52 - In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I Thessalonians 5:3 - For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Pagan Babylon falls suddenly and quickly.
Rome is said to fall in a day, therefore it should be no small matter for the revived Roman empire to fall in a day.
Revelation 18:8 - Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Revelation 18:17 - For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Psalms 73:19 – The wicked are destroyed in a moment just when they believed they had escaped the wrath of God. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
Matthew chapter 24-25 – a solemn warning from Christ to remain faithful or lose rewards.
Matthew 24:1-31 – When asked, Christ gives prophecy, in chronological sequence, of events of the last days.
Matthew 24:32-35 – Then Jesus gives the parable of the fig tree, which established something of a time of his return, without establishing a time.
Matthew 24:36-41 – Jesus follows this with solemn warning to watch and be faithful, or lose rewards.
Matthew 25:1-13 – Now Jesus gives the parable of the Ten Virgins.
This parable is not about salvation, but about the consequences of not being faithful.
Five virgins who are “locked out” from the bridegroom corresponds to the unfaithful being cast into outer darkness, Matthew 24:47-51.
Matthew 25:14-30 – Immediately following the parable of the Ten Virgins, Christ gives the parable of the Talents.
This parable describes various talents being given to the servants of Christ.
In the day of reckoning, servants are rewarded or they lose the talent they have and are cast into outer darkness.
This parable, as the parable of the Ten Virgins, refers to Matthew 24:47-51, encouraging disciples to be faithful to Christ, regardless of circumstances.
Matthew 25:31-46 – Christ now gives the parable of the sheep and goats.
The lesson in this parable is the same as the lesson given in previous parables.
Be faithful to people on this earth because this is how to be faithful to Christ.
There are rewards for faithfulness and punishment for unfaithfulness.
Matthew 25:46 indicates those who are unfaithful to others are likely not saved, as they do not bring fruits suitable for repentance.
They live as they are lost, therefore they must be lost.
All of God’s perfect will, will be accomplished after much watching, longing and praying.
Revelation 13:10 - He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12 - Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Angels do nothing until they are commanded, even when they have all the articles essentials to carry out the task they know they will be commanded to perform.
As angels pour out their vials of God’s wrath – they do it decently and in order – even in wrath God does not loose control.
Compare the words “angry” and “mad”. Some get angry and go “mad” as they lose control, but not God.
He is angry and sins not.
His anger is pure and absolutely holy without bias or prejudice.
It seems logical to believe there is a great range of people inhabiting the earth, just as there is now; whole families, not just adults.
Children often pay a huge price for the rebellion of their parents, then they propagate their errors to their own children and grandchildren.
This is the time of the great wrath of God, and all believers shall escape.
It is likely some children will be alive during this time, just as there will be old and infirm people.
The pouring out of the vials results in the universal destruction of Satan’s entire kingdom.
The word “ways” indicates each angel should go their own separate direction and fulfill their own particular orders.
Each angel has a particular vial to pour out.
Each vial is a part of the whole judgment of God.
Each vial therefore fits into the whole, making the judgment of God complete.
The word “earth” is the same in verse one and verse two.
Earth in verse one speaks of the general area where Satan’s kingdom is located.
Earth in verse two concentrates the judgment of God on Satan’s kingdom, not the elements that comprise the world.
it is essential for every believer to clearly understand that everything on this earth will one day be completely destroyed.
All the effort that is used to build earthly possessions, power, or whatever is wasted.
Matthew 6:19-21 correctly states, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Verse 2 – the first vial is poured out on the earth.
This is where Satan’s kingdom is located.
Ephesians 2:2 – Satan is the prince and power of the air.
The kingdom of God is within believers (Luke 17:21) and will eventually fill the millennium kingdom, then the new earth.
Verse 3 – the second vial is poured out on the sea.
Revelation 17:1 states that Pagan Babylon sitteth upon many waters.
Revelation 17:15 defines these waters as people, multitudes, and nations and tongues.
These will all be destroyed and replaced by believers, who faithfully serve God.
Revelation 21:1 declares there will be no sea in the new earth.
“…no more sea” does not refer to the destruction or the “doing away” of the Lake of Fire.
The Lake of Fire will be inhabited for all eternity by those who have rejected Christ as their own personal Saviour.
“…no more sea” compares the millennium reign to the eternal reign.
Zechariah 9:10 speaks of the victory Christ will have at the close of the Great Tribulation as he establishes his millennium kingdom, where he will rule from sea to sea.
This is declaring at least two things:
All unbelievers will finally be removed from the kingdom of Christ in eternity (the new earth), but there will be unbelievers on this current earth during the millennium.
The geography of the new heaven and the new earth will be radically different from this present world, as it will be created to be as this world was before sin entered.
Verse 4 – the third vial is poured out on the rivers and fountains of waters: a prelude to the destruction of all life.
Water is a very essential ingredient of life.
Newborn babies are about 78% water.
At one year of age, the percentage drops to approximately 65%.
Adults are approximately 55% - 60% water.
Scientists get excited when they think they find water on planets, as water is proof that life might exist.
Turning of water into blood is the same as destroying that which makes life possible.
John 2 – Jesus turned water into wine.
Both water and wine are beverages and able to nourish this body.
Blood is not nourishment to the body, but blood carries nourishment to the body.
Drinking a cool beverage when thirsty is a great pleasure and very satisfying.
The rich man in hell was in such torment he desired only one drop of water to cool his tongue.
Those that have shed blood (taking life away) will have the source of life removed.
Verse 8 – the fourth vial is poured out on the sun. (real global warming!)
The sun is a source of almost limitless energy.
Sunshine has been used for year to dry clothes and grow food.
The sun is 93,000,000 miles away.
Just the tiny fraction of the Sun's energy that hits the Earth (around a hundredth of a millionth of one percent) is enough to meet all our power needs many times over.
Every minute, enough energy arrives at the Earth to meet our demands for a whole year - if only we could harness it properly.
If the distance between the sun and the earth is changed only a tiny percentage, the earth would either freeze or boil.
How the sun will heat the earth is unknown.
The sun could be moved closer to the earth, or the earth closer to the sun.
The vapor barrier around the earth could be partially eliminated.
God is perfectly able to use any method he so desires.
Verse 10 – the fifth vial is poured out upon the seat of the beast.
The previous four vials are directed toward various components of Satan’s kingdom.
This vial is directed toward the throne – the representative of Satan’s power.
Verse 12 – the sixth vial is poured out upon the River Euphrates.
Destruction from within: the three unclean spirits come from within (from the mouths) of the unholy trinity.
Genesis 3 – Sin is from the beginning.
Genesis 2:14 – The river Euphrates is from the beginning.
Babylon is located on the Euphrates River.
The river Euphrates was the means used to conquer Babylon in the days of Belshazzar, as the invading armies used the river to enter Babylon.
James 1:13-16 – Sin comes from within, and sin eventually brings death and destruction.
Satan prepares his own destruction, as sin within eventually brings death.
The wrath of God is not vengeance, as our wrath is vengeance.
God’s wrath is turning his back on the wicked and their sin and allowing them to suffer the consequences of their own wickedness.
Grace and mercy is God forgiving, cleansing, and taking the consequences of our sins upon himself.
Verse 17 – the seventh vial is poured into the air.
Air is what we breathe.
Air is also the atmosphere.
No wonder the great voice from the temple of God declares “It is done.”
There is no escape.
Verse 2 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.
The first vial is poured out on the earth.
This is where Satan’s kingdom is located.
All the hopes, dreams and aspirations of Satan are on the earth because he has been removed from heaven.
Verse 2 reveals the final outcome of Satan’s kingdom is most horrible.
The word “fell” reflects the pouring out of this vial, as it comes directly from heaven.
Satan is the prince and power of the air, but he is unable to stop the pouring out of this vial, as the contents of the vial is poured through his kingdom onto his subjects.
God is well able to protect his disciples, but Satan cannot protect himself, much less his subjects.
Ephesians 2:2 – Satan is the prince and power of the air.
Satan’s kingdom is limited to this present earth.
The promises of Satan for blessings, comfort, help, and supply are often broken.
The final outcome of Satan’s kingdom is horrible beyond description.
The kingdom of God is within believers (Luke 17:21) and will eventually fill the millennium kingdom, then the new earth.
The reign of Christ is not limited to this earth, but will eventually fill the new heavens and the new earth.
The final outcome of Christ’s kingdom is wonderful beyond imagination.
This plague seems similar to the sixth Egyptian plague.
There are physical consequences to spiritual rebellion or spiritual compliance.
Ephesians 6:1-3 promises earthly blessings and long life to children who honor their parents.
As a practical matter, it is easy to see the physical calamities on those who do not live after the manner prescribed by God in his Word.
Exodus 9:8-12 records the breaking out of boils (an inflammation) with blands (blisters or that which swells).
The boils upon the Egyptians were literal, and these sores are also literal.
Believers are exempt, as in Exodus 9:11.
The result was the hardening of hearts, not softening, as in Exodus 9:12.
What this sore is, I do not know, but only and all of those who accept the mark of the beast and worship his image are infected; there is no middle ground.
Noisome sore means an evil wound that is troublesome, injurious, and destructive.
Grievous sore means an evil ulcer that is full of labors, hardships and continual perils, having a continual discharge of pus.
This could be some sort of “natural” reaction to a tattooed mark or electronic chip, because it is the direct judgment of God.
Whether it is “natural” or not, the plague is directed by the wrath of God.
Nothing is said about healing, therefore, it is doubtful there is any healing, especially in the short time these people have yet to live.
Those that receive the mark of the beast will die at the end of the Great Tribulation, and will not enter into the millennium.
Before they die, they will come face to face with their rebellion, and the willingness of God to forgive them, but they continually refuse.
I Samuel 5:6 – the Philistines got “emerods” because they took the ark of the covenant - But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
Some believe emerods are hemorrhoids.
Exactly what emerods are is difficult to ascertain, but emerods do appear to be a swelling of some sort.
Deuteronomy 28:27 - The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
In this chapter, God reveals (beginning in verse 15) the many judgments he will put on Israel if they rebel against him and his commandments.
God is very just in all his dealings with his children and those not his children.
The judgment of God upon the lost/saved is very similar: compare weeping and gnashing of teeth of believers who are unfaithful (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 24:51, and Luke 13:28) to the wailing and gnashing of teeth of unbelievers in hell (Matthew 13:42, 13:50).
There is no escape from the judgment of God.
Unbelievers receive the mark of the beast as a means of receiving earthly blessings, but receive more torment than they can imagine.
The remnant of Judah left by Nebuchadnezzar decided to flee into Egypt because they feared the Chaldeans and desired peace and safety.
Instead of receiving peace and safety, God sent Nebuchadnezzar into Egypt, who took that nation captive and killed the majority of the remnant of Judah who “escaped” into Egypt.
Relying on their thoughts brought them damnation, but trusting and living in God’s Word brings peace, both earthly and heavenly.
Verse 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.
There seems to be two ways to scripturally interpret this verse.
Literally – this second vial is poured out on the waters of the earth, which become coagulated blood, therefore all the creatures in the sea die.
Figuratively – this second vial is poured out on the people of the earth, completing their damnation because of their rebellion against God.
It is likely this verse should be interpreted literally.
Verse 3 seems to introduce verse 4-7.
Verse 4-7 seems to be literal, going by what the angel of the waters (verse 5-6) and the other angel (verse 7) declares.
We do understand that which affects the physical also has a deeper meaning; affecting the soul, just as spiritual regeneration affects the way a physical life is lived.
If this passage is interpreted figuratively, every living soul in the sea dies.
Water becoming blood is a symbol of the death and destruction that will occur on the earth, as the life giving foundations of the earth are transformed from giving life to giving death.
The sea would be the wicked of this world who follow Satan and his Anti-Christ kingdom.
Compare Revelation 17:1, 15 to Revelation 13:1.
Compare to other scriptures where water is turned into blood.
Revelation 8:8,9 – At the sounding of the second trumpet, the third part of the sea becomes blood, killing the third part of the creatures in the sea, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
The second trumpet, as terrible as it was, is only a token of the destruction that is to come.
The terrible physical result of sin is only a token of the more horrible destruction of the soul that is to come.
Water turned into blood in Egypt: two times.
Exodus 4:9 – And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
According to Exodus 4:9, turning water into blood was the third sign from God to the nation of Israel, so they would believe God had sent Moses to deliver them from Egypt.
Exodus 4:29-31 states that Moses spoke to the elders of Israel, performed the miracles God gave him, and the Israelites believed.
Israel was given this sign so they would believe and find the peace of God.
Exodus 7:19 – And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
Turning water into blood was the first curse upon Egypt because they would not let Israel go into the wilderness as God commanded.
Turning water into blood was a blessing to Israel, but a curse to Egypt.
The final judgment of God upon the wickedness of this world is a blessing to believers, but a curse to unbelievers.
Egypt was given this sign, yet did not believe, and received the justice of God because of their unbelief.
Verse 4-7 – And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. 5 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. 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.
The rivers and fountains of water become blood.
The second vial is poured out on the seas or standing water.
The third vial is poured out on the rivers (running waters) and fountains (the well or spring – the source) of waters.
Therefore all waters on the earth become blood.
Not as the first plague upon Egypt where water was turned into blood.
Exodus 7:22 records the magicians of Egypt also turned water into blood, therefore there must have been water they could obtain.
Exodus 7:24 records the Egyptians dug round about the river to obtain drinking water.
Apparently, all “standing” water in Egypt is turned into blood, but the land of Goshen has “standing” water.
The reaction of heaven and earth are diametrically opposite.
The inhabitants of the earth suffer with thirst because there is no water to drink.
The angel of the waters rejoice because of the justice of God.
The inhabitants of heaven do not go in and out of heaven’s temple because of the smoke from the glory of God, rather their eyes are fixed on the pouring out of the vials.
The statement of the angel of the waters is scriptural.
Genesis 9:5 – And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Exodus 32:20 – Israel drank the golden calf mixed with water as judgment from God.
God always gives appropriate penalty for sin.
The wrath of God is not as the wrath of men.
Men are vindictive but God is not: he is just.
Romans 12:19 – Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Deuteronomy 32:35 – To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Deuteronomy 32:43 – Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
Psalms 94:1-3 – O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. 2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. 3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
Nahum 1:2-3 – God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
God is very longsuffering, waiting until the repercussions of wrong doing will naturally fall on the wicked, then he steps in to bring destruction.
Psalms 76:10 – Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
The world-wide flood in Noah’s day – Genesis 6:13 – And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah – Genesis 18:20-21 - And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
God will bring Israel out of Egypt when the time is right - Genesis 15:16 – But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
God will remove his protecting presence from Judah because of their exceeding great wickedness – Ezekiel 8:17-18 - Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
The context of this passage is the removal of the glory of God.
God did not remove his protecting presence when Israel first sinned, but removed it only after their repeated wickedness in the face of repeated warnings.
It became a natural consequence of personal and public wickedness.
Revelation 16:13-16 – The three unclean spirits as frogs comes forth from within the unholy trinity, not from God.
These unclean spirits are spirits of devils working miracles, which convince the kings of the world to go to Armageddon so they will be destroyed.
This wickedness comes from within and leads to death, just as James 1:13-16 describes sin, which comes from within and leads to death.
A misunderstanding of the long-suffering attribute of God is the reason many do not believe their continual sinning is judged by God.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 – Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Men think they “get away” with sin, therefore continue to sin, while their wickedness is compounded upon them.
There is complete heavenly agreement.
The angel of the waters agree.
Another voice from the altar agrees.
The altar is located inside the smoke filled temple, so there are still inhabitants of the heavenly temple, even though men are unable to enter, Revelation 15:8.
This heavenly voice agrees with the angel of the waters, acknowledging that all of God’s judgments are true and righteous.
Verse 8-9 – And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 9 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.
It must be remembered that this vial brings judgment on the same people that are experiencing noisome and grievous sores and have no water to drink.
This pain suffered from this vial has nothing to do with the grievous and noisome sores caused by the first vial.
The fourth vial is in addition to all the other vials.
The intensity of the heat is described as fire, literal fire.
As mentioned earlier in my notes, the earth is 93,000,000 miles from the sun.
About one hundredth of a millionth of one percent of the energy of the sun that reaches the earth is enough to meet all our power needs many times over.
Each minute, enough energy arrives at the earth to meet our yearly demands for energy, if only we could harness it.
A small variation of the sun’s energy would either freeze or boil the earth.
God is in total control of the solar system and the entire universe.
This is real global warming – not caused by environmental factors, or human intervention or cow flatulence.
The inhabitants of the earth understand why they are experiencing global warming, and do not repent, but blasphemy God, whom they know is causing their problems.
Men do not repent because of external pressure.
Many preachers vainly substitute human methods for Holy Spirit conviction, “arm twisting” people down the aisle, convincing them to “make a decision” for Christ.
Real Holy Spirit conviction is internal, final and complete.
God uses his word to bring conviction of sin, often revealing his eternal truths by external evidences.
This heat is not conviction, but judgment.
The result is not repentance, but blasphemy.
Men will either repent and believe the gospel, or they will rejoice in their wickedness, and continue to reject the gospel truths.
Repentance means “to have another mind toward”, therefore these wicked people do not change their minds about their corrupt actions and purposes.
These wicked people blaspheme (speak reproachfully or rail against) the name (the authority and power God possesses that allows him to pour out these vials of wrath) of God, which has power (authority, strength, or jurisdiction) over these plagues.
It is not just the plague of heat that causes men to blaspheme, but all the plagues.
Verse 10-11 – 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.
The seat of the beast is not his actual kingdom, but the right or authority of Satan and the Anti-Christ to reign over a kingdom.
Gnawing (chewing or devouring) their own tongue.
Sin always causes self-destruction.
The pain described here refers to that labor and weariness which demands one’s whole strength.
It is therefore applied to labors of an unusual kind, specially wearing or painful.
In classical Greek it was the usual word employed to describe the labors of Hercules.
Satan’s earthly kingdom is full of darkness.
There is no light in the kingdom because Christ, as the light of the world, has been excluded.
Colossians 1:9-17 (particularly verse 12-14) is a wonderful contrast between the world of light and the world of darkness.
I Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
I John 2:8 – Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
Earthly darkness is a prelude to eternal darkness.
Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Jude 1:13 speaks of false teachers who are always present with the saints of God. They are described as Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
It is just recompense that those who refuse to accept Jesus, who is the light of the world, receive darkness.
There is continual blasphemy of God and his eternal powers, accompanied by non-repentance.
God is blasphemed because of pain in the body, which causes no repentance of deeds performed in the body.
There is no repentance of their deeds because there is no repentance of the cause of their deeds.
True repentance comes from the heart because there is recognition of sin.
If there is no heart realization of wickedness, there is no repentance of deeds.
Verse 12-16 – 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. 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 naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Verse 12-14, 16 – Preparation for destruction.
Isaiah 5:26-30, verse 27 - None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
This passage speaks of the speed with which the destroyers of Israel shall come.
It is likely the destroyers during the great tribulation will also come very quickly.
The great river Euphrates.
This river goes back to the world before sin entered. Genesis 2:14 – And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
Jeremiah 13:1-11 – Jeremiah buried his linen girdle by the river Euphrates, then dug it up after many days and discovered it was rotten and good for nothing; a picture that God will destroy Judah for their transgressions against him.
Jeremiah 51:59-64 – The word of the Lord against Babylon written by Jeremiah was cast into the Euphrates, picturing Babylon shall sink and not rise from the evil God has planned for them.
It is interesting the Euphrates contains water, but the second and third vials turned all the water of the world into blood.
In days gone by, the only method of transportation was by land, and rivers had to be crossed by whatever method was easier.
During the great tribulation, various means of transportation are available, especially flying.
The passage simply means that God will open the way of Satan and his vast armies to travel to Armageddon, where they will be destroyed.
Who are the “kings of the east”?
The expression is possibly drawn from the oriental custom of sending before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passable; to prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessing, as John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ.
Exactly who these “kings of the east” are, I do not know, but as they seem to be east of Israel, they might include Syria, Iraq, Iran, and possibly others.
According to Revelation 16:14, all the nations of the world will come against Israel, in one massive attempt to completely destroy the tiny nation if Israel.
Satan will be the cause of the destruction of his kingdom; destruction from within.
James 1:13-16 – Satan prepares his own destruction, as sin within eventually brings death.
The three frogs are probably not one from each part of the unholy trinity, but reflects the unity of the unholy trinity.
These are not literal frogs, but figurative frogs.
The wording is “…three unclean spirits like frogs…”
The false gods of Egypt were not frogs but like frogs.
The word “frogs” are always associated with Exodus 8, the second plague upon Egypt.
The frog has special meaning to the Egyptian because they worship a female deity with a frog’s head (that was a weird looking god, or the ugliest woman in the world!).
This god is connected with nature worship in Egypt.
This worship had to do with the annual flooding of the Nile.
When these frogs came up, all the Egyptians would understand that there was a God greater than their god who was able to control their god.
God uses the things of this world to confuse and confound the people of this world.
Why are their three frogs?
One for each of the three parts of the unholy trinity.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, …a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The phrase speaks of the careful preparation and unity of the nations against God.
“Working miracles” – like produces like. Note the Anti-Christ continues to use miracles, because miracles persuade people to follow him, even though the Bible records their discontinuance.
The kings give command and the people are willing to follow, to their own destruction.
Verse 15 – warning to believers.
Notice: nearly all verses of Revelation begin in the word “and”.
Go back to chapter 1 and see how a few verses begin with the word “and”.
Look in chapter 2 and 3 and see how the word “and” begins each section, which are letters to the seven churches of Asia.
Look in the remaining chapters of Revelation and see how many verses begin with the word “and”.
Not all the verses begin with the word “and”, but most do.
This is because the book of Revelation, unlike all previous books, is a book of “future”, and God wants it all tied together, and kept together.
The verses that do not begin with the word “and” mostly give information on the verse before.
“Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments...”
It is obvious this watching is the responsibility of each saved individual, not the responsibility of Christ.
There is a security of the believer, but this verse is not speaking of the kind of security given to believers by Christ.
This verse is speaking of another kind of security, which is given only to those that truly watch for the return of Jesus Christ.
Here, it is the responsibility of the believer to keep his own garments, not the responsibility of Christ to keep garments for him.
It is absolutely true that God is the one that keeps us all safe in his eternal care.
It is also true that only the saved individual can keep himself from the wickedness of this world.
There is a responsibility of Christ, which he will fulfill, but there is also a responsibility given to each believer to keep that which is given to them.
It is not that individuals will be lost if they fail to live up to God's standards, but the lost will see them and will mock them because of their failure.
Jesus will come as a thief – I Thessalonians 5:2.
Jesus is not a thief, but he appears as a thief because of the way he comes.
Jesus is doing the speaking, so it should be adequately clear what he is saying.
This means, of course, that many will see or be aware of his coming.
Many will know he is coming, and will be ready.
Many will not know he is coming, and they will not be ready.
In this short verse, Revelation 16:15, there is ample warning to the saved that they might watch and be ready when Jesus appears.
There is ample evidence that believers need this warning so they can keep their garments.
There is strong indication that it is very possible for the believer not to keep his garments because he is not watching what the Lord is doing or going to do.
It is very easy to get too involved in this world and fail to see what Christ is doing.
I Corinthians 3:10-15 is one scripture that speaks of the final judgment of this type of believer.
It is very important for each believer to not only watch, but to be ready for the Lord's return.
It is very possible for a believer to watch, yet not keep his garments.
I Thessalonians 5:2 – For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
This passage relates of Matthew chapter 24-25 because Christ has informed his followers of events to come.
Matthew 24:1-31 – prophecy concerning the end of the world.
Matthew 24:32-35 – the fig tree warning.
Matthew 24:36-51 – the warning to watch and the consequences of not watching.
Matthew 25:1-13 – the parable of the ten virgins.
Matthew 25:14-30 – the parable of talents.
Matthew 25:31-46 – the parable of the sheep and the goat nations.
I Thessalonians 5:4 states that believers are not in darkness, therefore all believers should not sleep, but be aware of events that foretell the coming of Christ.
The world of unbelievers will not see, nor understand what is happening, but faithful believers will see and will understand.
Verse 15 – the shame of walking naked.
This means they shall not be seen, or think they are being seen.
The world shall be seen in their shame, as much as believers think, but believers shall see their personal shame and be embarrassed because of their shame.
If the word of God is read, studied, and adhered to, there will be a realization of the truth of the end of time.
Even unbelievers, as evidenced by some movies whose subject is the end of the world, have some knowledge of the end of the world.
Amazingly, the lost world often shuns any identification with the numbers “666”, yet in that day, because they have received strong delusion from God, they will willingly accept, not just the symbol of Satan, but Satan himself!
Verse 16 – Armageddon will come only when the time is right.
It is God who gathers the nations of people who disagree with him together.
The nations of rebels may not know they are being gathered together, but they are.
It is God who gathers the rebels to the place of destruction.
Exactly where this place is, is not nearly as important as knowing that God will judge the wicked in that place.
Armageddon means “Mount of Megiddo”.
Megiddo or Megiddon means a “place of crowds”.
Megiddon is an ancient city of Canaan assigned to Manasseh and located on the southern rim of the plain of Esdraelon 6 miles (10 km) from Mount Carmel and 11 miles (18 km) from Nazareth.
The location of Megiddo may be different from the final battle.
It appears the final battle of Armageddon does not take place in what we know as the valley of Megiddo, rather it takes place near Edom.
It is approximately 130 miles from Megiddo to Edom, but this small space is no trouble to God, even though it may be to us.
The passage is best illustrated by comparing a similar one in the book of Joel, Joel 3:2, 12, where the scene of the divine judgments is spoken of in the prophetic imagery as the "valley of Jehoshaphat," the fact underlying the image being Jehoshaphat's great victory.
In Revelation 16:16 the scene of the struggle of good and evil is suggested by that battle plain of Esdraelon, which is mentioned five times in this outline to show the power of God. It must be be noted that this place, Esdraelon, is not mentioned in the Bible.
This place is famous for two great victories:
of Barak over the Canaanites (Judges 4), Judges 5:19 – Deborah sang a song of praise for the defeat of Sisera.
Verse 19 states they took no gain of money, in other words, they did not fight for money.
Verse 20 states they fought for heavenly principles, and everything was on their side.
and of Gideon over the Midianites (Judges 6-8).
Gideon fought the Midianites in the plain of Esdraelon.
This plain is not found on Bible maps, but Succoth is located on the Jordan River, about half way between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.
The Plain of Esdraelon is located to the northwest of Succoth, in the same position as the “Mount of Megiddo”.
This place is also famous for two great disasters:
The deaths of Saul (I Samuel 31), a short study reveals Saul died at Megiddo.
I Chronicles 10:1 and 8 states that Saul and his sons died at Mt. Gilboa.
Mt. Gilboa is located in the area of Megiddo.
Josiah also died at Megiddo.
II Kings 23:28-30 and II Chronicles 35:22 are two scriptures that state that Josiah died at Megiddo.
He died when he refused to believe the word of God, although he believed the word of God before.
II Kings 9:27 also states that Ahaziah, King of Judah, was killed at Megiddo by Jehu.
Hence in Revelation a place of great slaughter, the scene of a terrible retribution upon the wicked.
It seems Armageddon is the hill (as Ar is the city) of Megiddo.
Other names of Armageddon include: Campus Legionis, Esdraelon, Esdraelon Valley, Plain of Megiddo, Plains of Megiddo, Great Plain, Great Plain of Esdraelon, Great Plain of Megiddo, Merj ibn-‘Amir, Plain of Megiddo, The Valley, Valley of Megiddon.
Revelation 16:16 is the only time the word “Armageddon” appears in the King James Bible.
God is perfect in his use of words – even though a word is used only one time in the entire Bible, that one time points to other times.
Although the word “Armageddon” does not appear in the Old Testament, it is very evident the following verses are speaking of what we call “Armageddon”.
Zechariah 12:2-10 and Zechariah 14:2-3 place “Armageddon” near Jerusalem.
I am often told that Zechariah 12:2-10 refers to a time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
But, verse 10 explains at least some of the events are future, not past.
The same thought appears in Zechariah 14:12-14, as these verses speak of the coming destruction of the destroyers of Jerusalem, not the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14:16-21 speak of that which shall occur after the Great Tribulation, not during the Great Tribulation.
Joel 3:2, 9-17 also place “Armageddon” near Jerusalem, often called “the valley of decision”.
Joel 3:18 tells how God will bless Israel after the battle is over.
Joel 3:19 tells how God will continue to punish those that fought Israel.
Joel 3:20, 21 tell how God will continue to bless Israel and Jerusalem from generation to generation because he lives in Zion, which, according to II Samuel 5:7, is the city of David; this time, however, it is New Jerusalem.
Isaiah 34:1-6, and following, refer to Idumea, south of Israel, the inheritance and land of Esau and his descendants, where it is thought that hell will finally break forth upon this earth for all to see.
Note: verse 2 states, “...he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.” (emphasis mine)
The word “hath” appears 7 times in Isaiah 34, indicating the surety of the message spoken by the prophet.
The word “hath” appears a total of 7 times in this chapter.
Note: verse 3-5 uses the term “shall...” to reflect what will come to pass.
The word “shall” is found some 33 times in this chapter.
When the Bible uses the word “shall”, you can believe it is telling the truth.
Isaiah 34:8-10 refer to the exact same place as Zechariah 12 and 14.
Isaiah 66:24 refers to this very horrible place during the millennium reign of Christ.
Daniel 11:41 declares, He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
The land shall be destroyed and turned into a rebuke and a warning to all during the time when the Anti-Christ shall rule.
It seems the land area of Edom, Moab, and the children of Ammon is what is being spoken of.
If it is not, then it is not, but it appears to be.
It is evident this place is not the valley of Jezreel, a large valley that runs through the middle of Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, but is Edom, Moab and Ammon, which will be the place where the earth breaks through and people go by the view unrepentant souls, Isaiah 66:22-24.
Ruth is only one example given of those that escape this terrible judgment.
Ruth shall be saved alive because her most important thing was not escaping Moab, or marrying Boaz.
She left Moab, going to Israel with Naomi, because she was a believer.
All who believe in Christ will leave the place of their birth, the place they are used to and travel to a far land, the land of God.
Megiddo has been a battleground down through the centuries and will continue to be a battleground when time comes to an end.
Verse 17-21 – 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 an earthquake, and so great. 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. 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; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
The relationship between the sixth seal, the sixth trumpet, and the seventh vial.
The sixth seal and sixth trumpet and the seventh vial.
Revelation 6:12-17 is the opening of the sixth seal, which is similar to the seventh vial.
Revelation 11:15-19 is the sounding of the sixth trumpet, which is similar to the seventh vial.
Revelation 16:17-21 is the pouring out of the seventh vial, to which the sixth seal and the sixth trumpet are compared.
The book of revelation is written in chronological sequence, yet when writing any book so humans can understand, interrelated events are often written as if they were chronological.
It must be remembered that all the saved are taken out of the earth at the time of the rapture of the saints – Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 4:1.
There will be people saved during the Great Tribulation, but all these will be killed as a result of their witness: (1) Revelation 7:1-8 – 12,000 from each tribe of Israel (2) and a great multitude – Revelation 7:9.
When we get to Revelation 16:17-21, all believers are removed by death and only unbelievers are left on the earth.
Not every unbeliever will be killed during the Great Tribulation, and of those that are not killed, some will believe to the saving of their eternal souls.
The final vial of the wrath of God is poured out into the air.
The six other vials are poured into the various places affected by that vial.
Verse 2 – The first vial is poured out on the earth, where a noisome and grievous sore fell on all those that rebelled against God.
Verse 3 – The second vial is poured out upon the sea, where the waters become as the blood of a dead man.
Verse 4 – The third vial is poured out upon the rivers and fountains of water, where they become blood.
Verse 8 – The fourth vial is poured out upon the sun, and men were scorched with great heat.
Verse 10 – The fifth vial is poured out upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom is filled with anguish over the path the kingdom has taken.
Verse 12 – The sixth vial is poured out on the River Euphrates, the final movement toward the final end, but God still gives place to repent.
Verse 17 – The final vial is poured out into the air.
The vial being poured out into the air shows the impossibility of any escape, to those individuals gathered together at Armageddon.
Of those gathered together against Israel, not one person will want to escape the judgment of God, instead they gather willingly together against Israel.
Their hearts will be hardened to the point of determination against God.
There is no invitation given after this point, but there is an invitation given in verse 15.
It is amazing that Christ is so patient that he continues to give an invitation to come to him, a good lesson for us.
Ephesians 2:2 states that Satan is the prince and power of the air.
This vial of wrath is the final straw, braking the hold of Satan on all this world.
The rule of Satan will come to an end, but the rule of Christ will begin during the millennium and continues forever.
A great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne said, “It is done.”
In John 19:30 Jesus said, It is finished.
Jesus still had to be buried, spend three days and three nights in the grave, then rise from dead on day three.
There were many other events that we read in Acts that needed to take place that were caused by Christ.
The final saying of Christ happened some two thousand years ago, and Christ has not returned to take us out of this world yet!
Just because whatever we are looking for has not happened, doesn't mean it is not finished, or it will not happen.
Great voice.
The great voice emphasizes the importance of the announcement.
This is not necessarily a loud voice, but a voice of importance announcement.
It is likely a voice that is heard only by the inhabitants of heaven.
Revelation 16:1 – It is probably the same voice heard in this verse, and in the verses below.
Revelation 1:10 states, I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Revelation 11:12 states, And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Revelation 21:3 states, And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
All of these are probably the same voice, proclaiming the greatness of God and his determination of all things.
There are other voices that cry out in the book of Revelation, but probably none of them are the same as this voice.
Out of the temple.
A religious announcement about a secular event – the end of Satan’s kingdom.
This official announcement comes from the temple, not from the world, or any other place of worship.
Out of the temple of heaven.
Satan has made many announcements from the earthly temple in heaven concerning the power of his rule and reign.
II Thessalonians 2:4 – Satan, as the Anti-Christ, will sit in the temple of God, answering many questions that are brought to him.
Revelation 13:3,4 – The world may wonder after the beast, and they will say his power of greater than they can imagine.
Revelation 13:5,6 – Satan fights against the people of God, letting everybody know he is fighting them.
Revelation 16:17 – The great voice from the temple in heaven announces the final destruction of this phase of Satan’s kingdom.
“It is done.”
This phrase reminds me of the sixth saying of Christ on the cross, “It is finished.”
Jesus had finished the work of redemption, even though there were more believers to be added to the kingdom of God.
Jesus has finished the work of Satan’s kingdom, even though there are still some things to be accomplished.
The various events of the seventh vial.
The seventh angel pours out his vial into the air.
Ephesians 2:2 states, Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Satan is the prince and power of the air, therefore this seventh vial is poured into the air, so show the final result of this vial is the complete destruction of his kingdom.
Voices, thunders, and lightnings.
Psalms 77:18 reveals, The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
This psalm speaks of the great trouble from which God so graciously delivered, as his power is exhibited with voices, thunderings, and lightnings.
God still reveals himself this way, but he doesn't intend to make us afraid, but simply to remind us of his great power.
The fear we express is because we do not understand God as he intends.
Exodus 19:16 reveals the power of God on Mt. Sinai by stating, And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
I must say that God never intended to frighten anyone, only to console them by showing his great power.
The people were frightened, not because God moved on them with thunders and lightnings, but because they saw God in picture, not the whole.
If God reveals himself to us in part, do we fear?
Voices, thunders and lightnings related to the seven trumpets. Again, these are not separate events, but expressions of Revelation 16:17-21. All three of these taken together reflect only one whole, as the divine trinity is one whole.
Revelation 8:5 – This passage takes place after the seven seals are opened, but immediately before the first trumpet sounds. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Revelation 11:19 – This passage takes place at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which is the same as the third woe. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
After the sounding of the seventh trumpet, God showed his power.
It was exhibited in the seven trumpets by people on the earth seeing the ark of the covenant in the temple of heaven, by lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and a great hail.
Revelation 16:18 – This passage takes place at the pouring out of the seventh vial into the air.
Great earthquake.
There have been many earthquakes on this earth.
Matthew 24:7 – For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Here is some prophecy given by Christ concerning the end of the world.
Matthew 27:51-54 records there was an earthquake when Christ died on the cross.
Matthew 28:2 records an earthquake when the angel of the Lord descended and rolled the stone from the grave in which Christ was buried.
Revelation 11:13 records an earthquake when a tenth part of Jerusalem fell and 7,000 people in Jerusalem were killed.
The earthquake of the seventh vial is the worse earthquake the world has even known, even more powerful than when Christ was killed.
Three scriptures that speak of God coming at the end of the Great Tribulation, and the great trouble that comes to unbelievers.
Isaiah 2 speaks of God glorifying himself through Judah and Jerusalem.
Verse 1-4 refers to the millennium, when there will be no more war.
Verse 5-9 gives the reason God has judged Judah and Jerusalem.
Verse 10-21 speaks of the power of God in restoring Judah to her proper glory.
Verse 17, 18 are a recapitulation of events that God will cause to happen.
Verse 19-21 remind me of Revelation 6:15-17, when Christ finally brings this world to an end.
Verse 20 explains that in the last days, men shall cast their home-made gods into the caves of this world, and themselves go to the high mountains, as far as possible from their home-made gods.
Verse 21 speaks of a time when God shall terribly shake the earth – I suppose in a very great earthquake.
Isaiah 13 is God’s prophecy against Babylon, which speak, not only of God removing their power, but eventually annihilating them.
Verse 9 relates that God will completely destroy the sinner out of the land, not just remove him for awhile.
Verse 10 prophecies of the changes in the constellations of heaven.
Compare to Revelation 6:13 when the stars of heaven and the constellations fall to the earth.
Compare to Revelation 6:12 and 14 when the sun becomes black as sackcloth of hair and the moon becomes as blood.
I understand that Revelation 6 takes place at the beginning of the Great Tribulation, but I also understand that God sees all things as currently happening, not as we see them, one thing happening at a time.
Verse 13 declares God will shake the heavens and the earth shall be moved out of her place.
This “earthquake” will be so great that the rotations of the earth will be changed, perhaps to restore the earth to its “pre-flood” rotations.
Everything that happens is on purpose by God to bring everything to a final purpose predetermined by God.
Verse 19-22 speak of a time when God will cause Babylon to never be inhabited, except by wild animals.
This refers to Revelation 16:19 when Babylon came into God's remembrance.
Verse 19 refers to Babylon as the prince of Satan's kingdoms, yet she will be completely destroyed.
Haggai prophesied during the reign of Darius to the Jews who stopped rebuilding the house of God.
Haggai 1 informs the Jews of that day their trouble is because they have attempted things for themselves while disregarding the things of God.
Haggai 2:6-9 (verse 6) encourages the Jews to build the temple as a sign of the soon coming shaking of the heavens, the earth, the sea and the dry land, referring to the earthquake at the end of the Great Tribulation.
Haggai 2:20-23 – God speaks to Haggai, telling him to prophesy to Zerubbabel, informing him of the victory coming and future blessings God will give to him.
These scripture, as all prophecy, has two meanings – an immediate one and a future one.
There is no doubt as to the immediate interpretation – this took place immediately and pointed to a future fulfillment (and hidden) of this passage.
Verse 23 speaks of Zerubbabel being a signet – as on a ring – a surety of that which is to come.
As sure as Zerubbabel standing and being a priest and proclaiming what God said should come, so sure would be the coming of the LORD and the establishment of his kingdom.
The great city was divided into three parts.
The great city is probably pagan Babylon because up to this time, only cities belonging to Satan or this world are mentioned; except for the final time.
The great city is, in my opinion, Babylon.
It must be noted that the entire vial speaks of destruction, not of salvation.
Jonah 1:2, 3:2, 3:3, and 4:11 speak of Ninevah as being a great city.
Revelation 14:8, 17:18, 18:10, 16, 18, 19, 21 all refer to pagan Babylon as a great city and it is a terrible city.
Revelation 11:8 and 21:10 refer to Jerusalem as another great city.
If this verse speaks of Jerusalem, it is now divided into three parts.
Deuteronomy 19:1-3 – There were three cities of Refuge, which God gave in Israel.
Jerusalem being divided into three parts reflects the preparation of God for Jerusalem in the millennium.
I do not, however, believe this verse is speaking of Jerusalem, but of pagan Babylon.
The cities of the nations fell.
There is no mention of exactly which cities is referred to, but it is seems the wicked cities of all the wicked nations, now fall.
The destruction of the cities that are not great cities falling speaks of the destruction of this world.
Babylon.
It is not that God ever forgot this pagan city and nation, but that the time of her judgment and destruction has arrived.
This is the time that God will no longer withhold and protect Babylon from the results of her own evil actions.
Every evil person is protected by God, and evil Babylon is also protected.
But – there is coming a time when God will no longer protect any evil person, thing, or empire.
The final destruction of nations critical to God is found in Revelation 20:8,9 and Ezekiel 38,39.
There are only these two major references in the Old Testament, which speak of God finally destroying all nations which go against him and his eternal decrees.
There are a couple of references which correctly place the nations of Gog and Magog outside the nations God will bless.
I Chronicles 5:4 - The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
Genesis 10:2 - The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
I Chronicles 1:5 - The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
The New Testament only has one place which speaks of Gog or Magog.
Revelation 20:8, which states, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
This passage is the only time the words “Gog” and “Magog” appear in the New Testament, at the end of the millennium, shortly before the Great White Throne Judgment, shortly before the end of the world as we know it.
References to Gog and Magog in the Old Testament.
Ezekiel 38:2, 3 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
Ezekiel 38:14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?
Ezekiel 38:16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
Ezekiel 38:18 And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.
Ezekiel 39:1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Ezekiel 39:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.
Ezekiel 39:6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Please understand the passage and the references given. They are all concerning Gog and Magog, nations of future rebellious people that shall clash with God and his people at the end of the 1,000 year reign. I have given every verse that appears in the Bible concerning these places and what these foreigners to God's eternal grace shall do.
Islands and mountains fled away.
There is a great similarity between several verses – in the parts of the Great Tribulation that are revealed to us.
Revelation 6:14 state, And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Revelation 8:5 - And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Revelation 11:13 and 19 - And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
There is great difficulty in the similarity of these verses. Perhaps – they are all speaking of the same event – where God is finally glorified, Israel is restored as a nation, and evil destroyed.
We must, if this is so, remember that God is not as we are, because he sees every event on the earth at the same time – but: there is no time in heaven – God made time for our sakes, not his.
The book of Revelation is written to show us a small taste of eternity and what it will be like.
The islands fleeing away and mountains not being found (because of the great earthquake).
This event would also aid in returning the earth to the pre-flood condition of low mountains and oceans, that are vastly different from what we know today.
God will reverse the result of sin and rebellion against him by reversing changes caused by sin and rebellion – what a day that will be!
Hail.
Hail is often associated with the judgment of God.
Exodus 9:23-24 records the seventh plague upon Egypt, which was thunder and hail, and fire ran along the ground.
Revelation 8:7 records the first trumpet included hail and fire mingled with blood and the destruction of one third of trees and all green grass.
The hailstones of Revelation 16:23 are about the weight of a talent, about 125 pounds, the maximum and able bodied man could carry.
The result is not men turning to such an almighty God, rather they curse him.
They do not curse the hail, but God, who gave the hail.
They understand where the hail came from, and they curse God, not repent.
Some might think men would repent, if enough pressure was put on them, but these men do not repent under pressure.
They blaspheme.
It is interesting to note that men do not repent, but continue to blaspheme.
I have been taught that if enough pressure is put on lost people, they will repent.
They will repent, but, it must be proper pressure, from God and God alone.
God is very able to put the right kind of pressure on those that he desires to be saved.
If, however, people will not yield themselves to God, but show continual hardness to him, God will turn from them, as in Romans 1:32.
It is for this reason I thank my God for saving me.
God alone knows the right kind of pressure.
Continual hardness of the way before man does not assure they will be saved, as these are representative of the lost of the ages.