Revelation 16:8

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.

·         The fourth bowl is a supernatural act of God releasing power over the sun, making it more intense.

·         The pain of this judgment comes through scorching fire that releases great heat from the sun to burn men with fire. This is God’s activity, not merely natural or satanic.

Revelation 16:7

And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

·         There is no contradiction between the God of mercy and wrath, as He pours out these severe judgments to remove everything that hinders love (Zeph. 3:8; Heb. 12:25-29).

·         Only by understanding the big picture of His eternal plan can we understand the necessity of His temporal judgments in waking men up to eternal salvation.

Revelation 16:5-6

And I heard the angel of the waters saying:

“You are righteous, O Lord,

The One who is and who was and who is to be,

Because You have judged these things.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

And You have given them blood to drink,

For it is their just due.”

 

·         The two oracles in this passage (v. 5-6, v. 7) agree with God that His judgment was “just, true and righteous”.

·         The angel declares “You are righteous”, as God’s judgments are not only fair payment to the wicked and necessary to stop them, but they are helpful in waking up sinners to salvation (Isa. 26:9). God’s judgments are never too lenient or severe. They are never too late or too early. They are altogether right in every way.

Revelation 16:4

Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

 

·         This complete contamination is in contrast to the partial (one-third) pollution of fresh waters shown in Revelation 8:10-11.  (DG)

·         When these judgments come, the time must be very short until the return of Jesus. With ecological disaster such as this, the human race cannot survive long.  (DG)

Revelation 16:3

Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

·         The sea will become thickened like the congealed blood of a dead man. It will kill all the marine life in the sea causing unimaginable stench and destroying the sea trade along with its food supply.  Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

·         The fish and shipping industry will be destroyed causing a disruption of maritime commerce and previous prosperity. It is possible that the “sea” here may refer to the Mediterranean Sea which was the focal point in Daniel 7:2-8.

Revelation 16:2

So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

·         Only the Antichrist “worshipers” and “reprobate” who took the “mark of the Beast” receive these tormenting sores.

·         These sores will be foul or revolting with an offensive odor, even as foul meat is rotten or putrid. They will also be loathsome in being so painful that men will loath life itself. The very pain will pull some people away from the lure of sinful pleasure and demonic worship.

Revelation 16:1

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”

·         The seven bowls of wrath are the third and final numbered judgment series (7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls).

·         The 7 bowls are the fullness of God’s wrath (Rev. 14:10; 15:1) sent to destroy all the evil infrastructures of the Antichrist’s empire, as a “rod of iron” shatters clay pottery to pieces. No infrastructure of society (transportation, water, education, financial, etc.) is exempt from the “rod of justice”, as Jesus takes His promised inheritance of the nations (Ps. 2:7-9).

Revelation 15:8

The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

·         They were all wrapt up in clouds of smoke, which filled the temple, from the glorious and powerful presence of God (MH)

·         God Himself was now preaching to the church and to all the world, by terrible things in righteousness; but when this work was done, the temple would be opened. (MH)

Revelation 15:7

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.

·         Their artillery:  seven vials of wrath of God (MH)

·         They were armed with the wrath of God against His enemies (MH)

Revelation 15:6

And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.

·         This was the habit of the high priests when they went in to enquire of God, and came out with an answer from him.  (MH)

·         They do everything in a pure and holy manner (MH)

Revelation 15:5

After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

·         In the judgments of God was now about to execute he was fulfilling the prophecies and promises of His word and covenant, which were there always before Him. (MH)

·         This refers to the heavenly reality of the tabernacle, not the earthly copy.  (DG)

Revelation 15:3-4

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,

Lord God Almighty!

Just and true are Your ways,

O King of the saints!

Who shall not feat You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?

For You alone are holy.

For all nations shall come and worship before You,

For Your judgments have been manifested.”

 

·         They extol the greatness of God’s works (MH)

·         They call upon all nations to render unto God the fear due to such a discovery of His truth and justice (MH)

Revelation 15:2

And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.

·         “The sea is designed to reflect the glory of God. In chapter 4 its description ‘like unto crystal’ speaks of the holiness of God. Here the sea mingled with fire speaks of divine judgment proceeding from God’s holiness.” (Walvoord)

·         These are those who are victorious over the beast through their faithfulness unto death. They are the tribulation martyrs, described in Revelation 7:9-17.  (DG)

Revelation 15:1

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous:  seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

·         The work they had to do, which was to finish the destruction of antichrist (MH)

·         These seven last plagues are God’s judgment on a disobedient and contrary world.   (DG)

Revelation 14:20

And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

·         “pictures grapes fully grown in the prime almost bursting with juice . . . The spurting of the grape juice from under the bare feet of those treading the grapes in the winepress is compared to the spurting of blood and speaks of the awful human carnage.” (Walvoord)

·         In ancient times, a battle area extending one thousand six hundred furlongs (approximately 200 miles) was incomprehensible - but not in modern warfare. “The area covered, 1,600 furlongs, is approximately 200 miles, and specifies that the area within a 200-mile radius from Jerusalem will be gathered at the time of the second coming of Christ.” (Walvoord)

Revelation 14:19

So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

·         --the wine of the wrath of God, the consequence of her fornication. As she made the nations drunk with the wine of her fornication, so she herself shall be made drunk with the wine of God's wrath. (JFB)

Revelation 14:18

And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.”

·         “What strength have grapes against the weight and power of a man when he comes to set his feet upon them? And the riper they are, the more helpless . . . The heel of Omnipotence is upon them, and they can only break and sink beneath it.” (Seiss)

Revelation 14:17

Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

·         These allusions seem to indicate that the angel is acting in response to the prayers of the saints for divine judgment on wickedness.” (Walvoord)

Revelation 14:16

So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

·         This means that God will judge the earth only when it is over-ripe for judgment. He doesn’t rush into judgment. (DG)

·         “It must be remembered that evil has its harvest as well as good. There is a harvest of misery and woe, - a harvest for the gathering, binding, and burning of the tares, - as well as for the gathering of the wheat into the garner of heaven.” (Seiss)

Revelation 14:15

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

·         The harvest-time; when the corn is ripe, when the measure of the sin of men is filled up (MH)

·         Then He will spare them no longer (MH)

Revelation 14:14

Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.

·         The chariot in which He sat – a white cloud, a cloud that had a bright side turned to the church, how dark soever it might be to the wicked (MH)

·         Crown – He has authority to do whatsoever He would do.  (MH)

Revelation 14:13

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write:  ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

·         This prophecy came down from heaven, and not from men, and therefore it is of certain truth (MH)

·         It was to be preserved and published – by writing; it was to be matter of record, that the people of God might have recourse to it for their comfort upon all occasions  (MH)

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

·         You have before seen their patience exercised, now you see it rewarded. (MH)

·         We can only imagine what courage and comfort this passage will give embattled, persecuted saints during the Great Tribulation. Clearly, God wants to encourage His people to be steadfast in times of trial, focused on what blessed rest and reward awaits them in eternity. (DG)

Revelation 14:11

“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

·         Those who worship the Antichrist and receive his mark will endure this wrath and indignation for eternity in hell.  (DG)

·         If the only consequences for sin are in this life, or if the only penalty for sin is temporary, then clever sinners have won out over God. Walvoord says of the phrase forever and ever: “Literally ‘into the ages of ages,’ the strongest expression of eternity of which the Greek is capable.”  (DG)

Revelation 14:9-10

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.  He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

·         Those who refuse to come out of Babylon must receive of her plagues (MH)

·         This reminds us that there is a connection between worshipping the beast and his image and receiving his mark on his forehead or on his hand. No one will “casually” or “accidentally” take the mark. The connection between worshipping the beast and taking the mark will be clear enough. (DG)

Revelation 14:8

And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

·         The wickedness of Babylon will make her fall just (MH)

·         “Prophetically, ‘Babylon’ sometimes refers to a literal city, sometimes to a religious system, sometimes to a political system, all stemming from the evil character of historic Babylon.” (Walvoord)

Revelation 14:6-7

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth – to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people – saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

·         The gospel is an everlasting gospel.  It is a work fit for an angel to preach this everlasting gospel (MH)

·         The everlasting gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give glory to Him. (MH)

Revelation 14:5

And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

·         Their hearts were right with God, and they were freely pardoned in Christ (MH)

·         Greek, "blameless": in respect to the sincerity of their fidelity to Him. Not absolutely, and in themselves blameless; but regarded as such on the ground of His righteousness in whom alone they trusted, and whom they faithfully served by His Spirit in them. (JFB)

Revelation 14:4

These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.  These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.  These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

·         They are described by their chastity and purity.  They had not defiled themselves wither with corporal or spiritual adultery. (MH)

·         They are described by their loyalty and steadfast adherence to Christ (MH)

Revelation 14:3

They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.

·         In Revelation 14:1, the 144,000 have their feet firmly planted on an earthly Mount Zion. Yet their praise takes them right to the presence of God, right before the throne. In our praise and worship, we really can transport ourselves and be heard in heavenly places. (DG)

·         “Heaven is not the place to learn that song; it must be learned on the earth You must learn here the notes of free grace and dying love; and when you have mastered their melody, you will be able to offer to the Lord the tribute of a grateful heart, even in heaven, and blend it with the harmonies eternal.” (Spurgeon)