Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
7 FINAL PLAGUES AGAINST BABYLON
[“The End Has Come!”]
Key Word: Plague
Theme Verse: 1
Revelation 16:1 – Plagues from God’s Temple
RV16:1 And I heard a great
voice out of the Divine Habitat,
[Isaiah 66:6] saying to the 7 angels: “Go and
pour out into the earth
[Psalm 69:24] the 7 bowls of
the anger of The God.” [Numbers 22:22]| 635 | Divine Habitat: The Greek NAOU. |
Revelation 16:2-11 – Plagues 1 through 5
RV16:2 And the first angel went off
and poured his bowl into the earth.
And a severe and
malignant sore came to be
[Exodus 9:8-11] upon those who accepted the engraving
from the wild Sea Beast and those who worshipped its Image.
| 636 | The first angel went off: The outpouring of the bowls seems sequential just as they were during the plagues on Egypt. |
| 637 | Into the earth: The place from where the Earth Beast arose. “Earth” occurs 88x in the Apocalypse and here is the object of the first plague. These plagues generally parallel the Trumpets. See Revelation 8:7 where it is one-third of the earth affected by the angelic trumpet. “Earth” may refer to that more stable part of humanity as opposed to “sea.” Compare Revelation 12:16. |
| 638 | Malignant sore came to be: Compare the LXX at Exodus 9:8-11. KJV: grievous sore; TCN: painful sores; RHM: painful ulcer. |
| 639 | Those who accepted the engraving: Compare Revelation 13:15-17; 15:2. |
RV16:3 And the second angel poured his bowl into the sea.
The sea became
blood like that of a dead man.
[Exodus 7:14-24] Every living soul (the things in the sea) died.
| 640 | Into the sea: The place from where the Sea Beast arose. The word occurs 27x in the Apocalypse, always in the singular. The word “seas”
never occurs. Note the plural at its first occurrence in Genesis 1:10 which must mean the oceans. It is possible the “sea” is just the Mediterranean, or the Aegean which would likely have been the view John had from Patmos. Compare Psalm 72:8. Is the “sea” the literal Sea or that restless part of humankind out of which the beasts arise? (Daniel 7:1-8; Revelation 13:1; 21:3) |
| 641 | Blood like that of a dead man: Compare Exodus 7:14-24 where this is the Nile. Revelation 8:8 has this one-third and one-third of the merchant ships. (Revelation 18:7) The blood of a dead man is either in the process of congealing, or has become dark red in color. |
| 642 | Every living soul (the things in the sea) died: Soul mortality. On the subject of “soul” see notes on Genesis 2:7 in Nazarene Principles 2000©. Regarding sea mammal and fish, see Genesis 1:21, 22. It might be noted that Jacques Cousteau had declared the Mediterranean Sea “dead” years ago. |
RV16:4 And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of water.
The
waters became blood.
[Exodus 7:14-24]
| 643 | Fountains of water: This is drinking water. It may be literal or refer to those abusive and slanderous blasphemies against God and
his servants. At Revelation 8:10, 11 one-third are affected. |
| 644 | Waters became blood: Compare Exodus 7:14-24.
These bloodied waters have long ago healed themselves with the Nile serving the needs of millions. |
RV16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters, saying: “You are perfectly
right and just,
[Psalm 119:137]
The-One-Who-Is
[Exodus 3:14, 15] and The-One-Who-Was,
the Loyal One, [Psalm 145:17] because you rendered judgment
| 645 | Right and just: What God does in His anger is neither wrong nor unjust for the guilty have shared in the sins of Babylon and become
bloodguilty in the slaughter of the Saints. (Revelation 18:4) |
| 646 | The-One-Who-Is and The-One-Who-Was: This is
the apocalyptic Name of God expanding on the original HO ON of Exodus 3:14, 15, the Greek translation for YHWH. What would be the Hebrew version of this apocalyptic name? |
RV16:6 for
they poured out the blood of
[Psalm 79:3] the Saints
and Prophets.
Now you have
given them blood to drink.
[Isaiah 49:26] They deserve it!”
| 647 | They poured out the blood of the Saints: The answer to the plea of Revelation 6:9-11. Compare Revelation 18:24. (Matthew 23:35) |
| 648 | Prophets: Likely this is limited to the Christian prophets, particularly those martyred. Compare Ephesians 2:20 with Revelation 22:9. (Revelation
11:18; 18:20, 24) |
| 649 | You have given them blood to drink: The waters are contaminated, but these are forced to
drink it. |
| 650 | They deserve it: Or, are worthy. (KJV) |
RV16:7 And
I heard the Altar,
saying: “Yes,
YHWH, The God, The Almighty,
[Amos 4:13]
true and righteous are Your judgments.”
[Psalm 19:9]
| 651 | Altar: The incense altar at the base of which the martyred souls are seen at Revelation 6:9. |
| 652 | YHWH, The God, The Almighty: The Greek is KYRIE (Lord) HO THEOS HO PANTOKRATOR though some would believe YHWH should occur here in the speech of the
Altar. The whole phrase may be borrowed from Psalm 19:9 (Psalm 119:137; Revelation 19:2) and the YHWH occurs there. But, note it is from a celestial source. |
| 653 | True and righteous are Your judgments: Compare Revelation 18:10, 20; 19:2. |
RV16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun
and then the
sun scorched men in fire.
[Amos 4:6-10]
| 654 | The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun: In Revelation 8:12 this has one-third affect on the sun, lowering the level of
light and the temperature by that much. |
| 655 | The sun scorched men in fire: Compare the LXX at Amos 4:6-10: “I
struck you people with scorching.” |
RV16:9 And the men were scorched with a great scorching! And they blasphemed
the Name of The God,
the One with the authority over these plagues. And they did not repent
so as to give Him glory.
| 656 | They blasphemed: Compare Revelation 9:20 and Revelation 13:6. |
| 657 | The Name of The God: Without mentioning YHWH. |
| 658 |
They did not repent: Just as in the case of Pharaoh whose heart became hardened. |
| 659 | To give Him glory: Others
have done this upon the Rapture of the Saints at Revelation 11:13 or in response to the celestial evangel of Revelation 14:7 during this hour of judgment. If this were impossible it would be useless to say so. |
RV16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl upon the throne of the wild Sea Beast.
The kingdom of the wild Sea Beast
became darkened
[Exodus 10:22] and they gnawed their tongues from the pain.
| 660 | The throne of the wild Sea Beast: This is an abstraction, for a throne is a symbol of something, the power and authority of the Sea
Beast. It is really the Dragon’s throne and competes with the Throne. (Revelation 13:2) Whether the “man” of Revelation 13:18 sits on this throne and can be compared to that one of 2 Thessalonians 2:4 is an interesting problem. |
| 661 | The kingdom of the wild Sea Beast became darkened: Compare Isaiah 8:22 and Matthew 24:29. Compare Exodus 10:21-23 and the darkness in Egypt. |
| 662 | They gnawed their tongues from the pain: Compare Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28. |
RV16:11 Because of their ulcerous pain
they blasphemed
The God of heaven.
[Daniel 2:19] They did not repent of their works. | 663 | Their ulcerous pain: From the first plague. In Revelation 9:1-11 the pain lasted 5 months. |
| 664 |
They blasphemed The God of heaven: Compare Revelation 13:5, 6; 16:9, 21; 17:3 with Daniel 7:8, 11, 20. |
| 665 | They
did not repent of their works: Compare Revelation 9:20. |
Revelation 16:12-16 – Plague 6
RV16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon
the great river Euphrates.
The water of the river was dried up
[Isaiah 44:27]
to prepare the way for the kings from the sunrise.
[Isaiah 41:2, 25]
| 666 | The great river Euphrates: The river which nourished and protected Babylon. It was diverted and dried up by the Persians to allow
the soldiers to march into the city. It is at this river the four angels of Revelation 7:1-3 (Revelation 9:15, 16) are bound, to restrain them from allowing the four winds to blow before the 144,000 are sealed. The 144,000 are now in heaven as a Large Crowd
serving God in His Temple. (Revelation 7:1-17) In the vision of the seven trumpets one-third of humankind is to be killed at precisely the appointed hour, day, month and year. The river first appears at Genesis 2:14 and occurs either directly or indirectly
about four dozen times in the Bible. |
| 667 | The water of the river was dried up: This is what happened to the great
river Euphrates when the Persians dammed it and re-routed it into a marsh. Note the explanation of the “waters” at Revelation 17:15. The river may symbolize that support and protection which comes from masses of “peoples and crowds and nations
and tongues.” |
| 668 | To prepare the way for the kings from the sunrise: Compare Revelation 17:12, 16. Kings
much like Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Great as they came against Babylon. Some see these “kings” as God Almighty and the Lamb. Others would include the Saints. (Revelation 17:14; 20:4) They may be that instrument God uses when he puts his “one
thought” into the hearts of those “ten kings.” (Revelation 17:12, 13) “Sunrise” means east of Jerusalem, or from Jerusalem itself. |
RV16:13 And I saw three unclean
frogs
[Exodus 8:3] come out of the mouths
of the Dragon,
the wild Sea Beast,
and the False Prophet.
| 669 | Three unclean frogs: Compare Exodus 8:2, 3. Frogs were unclean to the Jews. |
| 670 | Out of the mouths: Compare “mouth” at Revelation 12:15; 13:5, 14, 15. |
| 671 | Dragon: Compare Revelation 12:3, 9, 10. After being cast down to the earth. |
| 672 |
The wild Sea Beast: Compare Revelation chapters 13 and 17 for details. |
| 673 | The False Prophet: The Earth Beast
of Revelation 13:14 and Revelation 19:20. |
RV16:14 These [frogs] are demonic inspirations
and they perform signs
to lead together the kings of the whole inhabited earth
to
the War of the great Day of The Almighty God.
[Zechariah 14:1, 2; Amos 4:13 LXX]
| 674 | Demonic inspirations: “Spirits” as at 1 John 4:1; that is, the “inspiration” behind the mouths. |
| 675 | They perform signs: These have been earlier identified at Revelation 13:13, 14; 19:20. |
| 676 | The kings of the whole inhabited earth: Compare Revelation 17:13, 14; 19:19; 21:24. |
| 677 | The War of the great Day of The Almighty God: Compare Revelation 17:14 with Zechariah 14:16 and the surrounding context. The Great Day has really arrived. (Revelation 6:17) |
RV16:15 (“Look! I am coming like a thief! Happy are those who stay awake and keep on their outer garments so they
do not walk about naked and people look upon their shamefulness.”)
| 678 | I am coming like a thief: Clearly, Jesus interjects this warning to the Saints who would read this, so they do, indeed, escape those
plagues. (Revelation 18:4) Compare this phrase at Revelation 2:6; 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20; Matthew 24:43, 44; 1 Thessalonians 5:2. |
| 679 |
Happy are those who stay awake: Compare Matthew 24:42. This parenthetical thought is not chronological or contemporary with the plagues. It is clearly before his coming. The Saints are not on earth during the plagues, so this pause is for the benefit of
those readers who will have remained awake and in expectation for the Return of Christ. |
| 680 | They do not walk about
naked: Possibly an allusion to the punishment on a sleeping priest who was on guard at the temple. |
RV16:16 And [the demonic inspirations] led them together into the place that is called
in Hebrew HAR-MAGEDDON.
[Zechariah 12:11]| 681 | HAR-MAGEDDON: From 2 Kings 23:29 and Zechariah 12:11. The plains of Megiddo. The prophet Zechariah is the only one
to mention this spot. Note, they may be gathering to Armageddon but the battle is not fought until Revelation 19:19. |
Revelation 16:17-21 – The 7Th and Final Plague
RV16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air.
A great
voice came out of the
Throne in
the Divine Habitat,
[Isaiah 66:6] saying:
“THE END HAS COME!”
| 682 | Upon the air: The atmosphere and that which men breathe. This is also the “air” into which the Saints were raptured to
meet their Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) A wicked spirit has had authority over the “air.” (Ephesians 2:2) “Air” had been used at Revelation 9:2. |
| 683 | The Throne in the Divine Habitat: The “throne” of Revelation chapters 4 and 5 is in the NAOU. |
| 684 | THE END HAS COME: This is GEGONEN in Greek and is variously rendered: KJV: it is done; GDS: it is all over; WEY: it is all accomplished; PME: the end has come. |
RV16:18 And
lightnings and voices and thunders occurred.
[Exodus 19:16] A great earthquake occurred.
An earthquake unlike any which has ever occurred, from the time men came to be, so gigantic was this quaking of the earth.
| 685 | Lightnings and voices and thunders occurred: The Sinai manifestations. (Hebrews 12:18, 19; Exodus 19:16, 18; Deuteronomy 4:11) Note
“thunder” in Exodus 9:23-24. A type of this phrase occurs Revelation 4:5; 8:5; 11:19. “Thunders” occur at very important points in the Apocalypse: the Throne room vision (Revelation 4:5); the seven trumpets (Revelation 8:5); following
the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:19); the seventh plague (Revelation 16:18); and, the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6). The “seven thunders” were not recorded by John. |
| 686 | A great earthquake occurred: Compare Revelation 6:12 and the earthquake in the context of the Great Day of Wrath. |
RV16:19 And
the Great City
[of Babylon] became three parts. The cities of the nations collapsed.
Babylon the Great
[Daniel 4:30] was remembered in the sight of The God to give her
the Cup of the wine of the anger of His wrath.
[Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15]
| 687 | The Great City: This “city” was first mentioned at Revelation 11:8 and some of the occupants of the city were the two
prophets (or, the Saints). The Saints escape the “city” by rapture (Revelation 11:12) having been called to “come out.” (Revelation 18:4) |
| 688 | The cities of the nations collapsed: The cities fall but this does not necessarily mean the death of all their inhabitants. The “nations” survive the “end” as Revelation 20:3 and 21:24. (Revelation
2:26; 12:5; 15:4) |
| 689 | Babylon the Great: Compare Revelation 14:8, 10; chapters 17, 18. |
| 690 | His wrath: This is detailed in Revelation chapters 17, 18. |
RV16:20 Every
island fled and the mountains were not found.
| 691 | Every island fled and the mountains were not found: Are normally safe places of escape during such moments. Compare Revelation 6:16. |
RV16:21 Great hail, [Exodus 9:24] the weight of a talent, descended out of the sky.
Humans blasphemed The God
because of the plague of hail, because the plague [of hail] was gigantic.| 692 | Great hail, the weight of a talent, descended out of the sky:
Hail occurs in the “air.” Compare Exodus 9:22-26. This weight is given as 88 or 100 pounds. |
| 693 | Humans
blasphemed The God: The reaction to all of these plagues has been similar to Pharaoh. It has only hardened these people and they apparently do not repent at this stage. Though later different ones mourn the collapse of Babylon the Great. |
Review Questions on Chapter Sixteen
- From where do the plagues originate?
- Describe the seven plagues.
- Against whom are these plagues directed?
- What lays on the horizon?
- What warning does Jesus give?
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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