Revelation Chapter 16

Verse 1: The Plagues 

God’s anger is a righteous indignation against sin not against the sinner. Sin must be destroyed. However, if individuals refuse to let go of their sins, then they will be destroyed also. 

There may be other kinds of disasters and calamities that fall upon every inhabitant, both just and unjust, in the end of time. See Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:10, 11, 25–28. But the seven last plagues fall only on those who have received the mark of the beast. God promises His people, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Psalm 91:10. 

Verse 2: The First Plague 

The first plague is a malignant sore that causes a lot of pain. It will be similar to the sixth plague of Egypt which was “a boil breaking out with blains,” or blisters. See Exodus 9:8–12. 

Verses 3, 4: The Second and Third Plagues

The death of sea and river creatures will produce an indescribable condition of decay, disease, and discomfort. This plague is not likely to be universal since it would cut off all life within a very short time. But the whole world will feel it’s devastating effects. 

Verses 5–7: God’s Judgments are Just

We may be inclined to think that these judgments are too severe. However, holy angels who are able to view the world’s evil deeds from a higher vantage point declare that God’s judgments are just. Even the wicked, in the end, will acknowledge the justice of God. 

The principle we must keep in mind is: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:1, 2. The wicked will only be receiving what they themselves have dished out; the blood plagues fall on those who thirst for the blood of the righteous. 

Verses 8, 9: The Fourth Plague

Men will be scorched with intense heat. This burning heat will cause droughts and famines of increasing severity. The wicked had prevented the righteous from buying and selling. They were depriving God’s people of food and water. But now the wicked face a shortage of fresh water. The land is dry and it will not produce bread. Yet God’s promise is to provide both bread and water for the righteous. See Isaiah 33:14–16. God also protects the 144,000 from the scorching heat. This doesn’t mean that the faithful aren’t affected indirectly by these plagues, but they are not the recipients of these plagues. 

Verses 10, 11: The Fifth Plague

The Papacy has spoken blasphemies against God, His name, His sanctuary, and His truth. And now because of physical and mental anguish they gnaw their own tongues. The Church of Rome that caused the Dark Ages is now cast in darkness. Imagine how terrifying the world must feel when they see the first beast unable to protect them. 

Verses 12–16: The Sixth Plague

Ancient Babylon was located on the Euphrates River. In fact, the great river ran through the midst of the city. The mighty city had double stone walls, wide enough to have chariot races at the top. As a result, the Babylonians thought the city could never fall to any invasion. After all, the walls were thick and they had all the water they needed. 

However, the Medes and Persians defeated the Babylonians by diverting the Euphrates River, thereby drying up the river. Directing their armies on the river bed, they entered the city and took it in one night. The river Euphrates was the life source of the city of Babylon, but with the drying up of the river it become the source of her downfall. 

Likewise, spiritual Babylon sits upon the spiritual Euphrates River, the masses of the world. The life source of spiritual Babylon is the support of the nations. But when the spiritual Euphrates is dried up it will be the downfall of spiritual Babylon. 

It is not until the battle of Armageddon that the world realizes that it is definitely on the wrong side. When the world tries to wipe out God’s people in one decisive blow, Christ mightily intervenes and delivers His people. See Daniel 12:1. The people realize they have been deceived by the apostate religious leaders. They then will turn on these leaders and destroy them. See Revelation 17:16, 17. 

The kings of the east: In the literal fall of ancient Babylon, the kings (plural) of the east represented the combined forces of the Medes and the Persians. They were a type of how Jesus, the King of kings, comes and defeats spiritual Babylon. The east is symbolic of the second coming of Christ. See Matthew 24:27. It is at the second coming of Christ that the remnant of the wicked is destroyed by the brightness of His coming.

Three unclean spirits: These symbolic frogs are declared to be “the spirits of devils.” They are evil angels sent forth to rally the kings of the earth to the battle of Armageddon. The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet are described as having three unclean spirits coming out of their mouths. The “mouth” represents words and beliefs. See Revelation 13:6. Therefore these three unclean spirits represent three unclean teachings that are promoted by the dragon, beast, and false prophet. What are the three great errors promoted by spiritual Babylon? They are Sunday sacredness [“the mark of the beast”], the immortality of the soul [“the worship of the beast”], and the uniting of church and state [“the image of the beast”]. Through these three errors the devil is able to unite the world against the people of God. Miracles and wonders will accompany the proclamation of these errors to give them the appearance of truth. 

These errors are not supported by Scripture, but then most people do not read the Bible. Therefore, most of the world will be swept away in deception by these false teachings and their accompanying miracles, signs, and wonders. See 1 Timothy 4:1.

The close of probation: Verse 15 refers to the close of probation. These spirits of devils will have full control on the earth when probation closes. They maintain this control up to the battle of Armageddon. It is evident that spiritualism plays a key role in misleading the world to worship the beast and persecute the righteous. 

Be sober and watch and pray: If you do not keep your garments, namely, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, you will be on the wrong side in the battle of Armageddon. 

Verses 17–21: The Seventh Plague 

“Into the air” indicates that the seventh plague is definitely universal. The great earthquake will likely take place with the return of Christ. See Isaiah 2:19–21; Jeremiah 4:24–27; Ezekiel 38:19, 20; Haggai 2:6, 7. This quake shakes the entire world as Christ approaches the earth with His angelic host. Thousands of cities will perish in a moment. Everything will be shaken that can be shaken. See Hebrews 12:25–27. 

When the seventh plague is over, the entire world is in total desolation. Islands disappear, mountains are moved, cities swallowed up. 

Great hailstones: These large hailstones will weigh about 100 pounds. Yet through all this, God’s people are still protected. 

The great city: The harlot of Revelation 17 is the Papacy. This harlot woman is said to be “that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:18. The Papacy clearly reigns from the city on seven hills or mountains, Rome. But the three parts of this great city refer to the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These three parts represent the Papacy (the beast), apostate Protestantism (the false prophet), and the remaining apostate religions Satan has used to destroy the righteous (the dragon). It is important to note that the varying pagan religions of the world are built upon spiritualism, the belief in communication with the dead. Nearly every one of these pagan religions is based on some fallen and fallible human being that has died. Therefore, many commentators understand the dragon to refer to spiritualism. 

Apply It!  

In the end, everybody will face hardships. If you are obedient to God and His Word and refuse to receive the mark of the beast, Sunday sacredness, then you will face the fury of man. However, if you trample upon the Sabbath of the Lord you will face the seven last plagues. All of us will need to make a decision for or against Christ. We need not be lost. Christ is able to get us through the difficulties of the last days. We simply need to learn to trust Him. 

In preparation for the last days, learn to trust Jesus even in the little things of life. Do not try to carry every burden yourself. Learn to surrender your cares and concerns in life to Him. It is Jesus that loves you with an everlasting love. It is He who will never let you go nor forsake you. Choose to trust Him now and forever no matter the trying circumstances that may arise. He will honor those who honor Him.