Revelation 16

The First Five: The Plagues Rev. 16:1-12

The first five judgements are at least loosely pulled from Exodus.

Some are a variation thereof, such as in v. 8 when, instead of darkness, the sun becomes so bright that it burns people

“The bowls are much like the trumpets, even in sequence, the differences being “but variations on common themes,” though the bowls emphasize humanity’s rebellion and extend the areas judged under the trumpets.”

Rev. 16:7: The judgements are deserved. They are responses to the oppression and persecution of the people of God.

Rev. 16:12: Kings of the east

This is almost certainly not literal, and there’s no way that we can assume that any “kingdom” in the east is suddenly the symbol of evil in the world.

No, China isn’t the devil.

The Last Two: Preparing for Armageddon Rev. 16:13-21

Parting of the River Euphrates (Rev. 16:12) was well known to be an invitation for invasion. The Euphrates served as a helpful barrier against invading armies. If that went away, it would open up a huge area.

Rev. 16:13 seems to be a dark symbolism of the Trinity.

Satan bastardizes everything, including the good things of God.

The Frogs

“Presumably there are three frogs because they issue from three mouths; because they issue from mouths, they probably represent propaganda (13:2, 5–6; contrast 14:5). In the end, however, the frogs prove no match for God’s truth as a sword from the mouth of the Word made flesh (1:16; 19:15).

Frogs seem to perhaps be symbolism of propaganda, although it is ultimately defeated.

The devil tries to gather all of the nations together for a final battle, but it’s really just a gathering for God to destroy them.

The seventh Bowl

“The seventh bowl “poured out … into the air” (16:17) refers to judgment either over the air (cf. winds in 7:1) or over the entire world in the “air realm” (the lowest of the heavens in Greco-Roman thought).

Islands and mountains run away in fear. PRETTY CRAZY

Final Thoughts

Judgement

“God sends judgments not only to vindicate his oppressed people (6:9–11; 8:3–6), but also to get the world’s attention and offer them the opportunity for repentance (16:9, 11, 21

“One survivor of a plane crash recounts that he always expected people who were dying to cry out to God for mercy in their final moments, but noted that he heard many respond with cursing, following the habits they had spent their lives developing.

Propaganda

“That the beasts issue evil propaganda to gather the nations for a final battle against God and his people (16:13; cf. 13:1, 6) also fits our experience as Christians in the present world, whether in the professions, in the academy, or even in slander-filled churches

“Deception is a deadly game in this world, and Christians must work diligently to reveal truth.

Propaganda happens all the time, whether it be against Christians or against people that we are told to hate or love. We have to be people who love the truth, and are always seeking to understand people better, not just by the things that other people tell us.

Questions:

Why do you think that so many people are able to be gathered together by Satan?

What do you think the angel means in Rev. 16:17 when he says, “It is done.”?

What are some sources of propaganda in your life? How can you avoid propaganda and look for the truth?