LESSON 3

AN EXPOSITION ON THE SEVEN BOWLS OF REVELATION

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible Study Programme that
is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Seven Trumpets. The topic for this study is: An
Exposition on the Seven Bowls of Revelation. In this study, we will consider various passages that
deal with the seven bowls of Revelation. For us to obtain a clear understanding of the various
issues, the lesson has been categorised into four sub-sections as follows:

1) SEALING OF GOD'S END-TIME SAINTS

We can observe from the thematic structure of the Revelation that before the description of the
seven bowls, the sealing of God's end-time people is first considered (see Revelation 14:1-5;
Revelation 15:2-4). The reason for this is clear. We are told that the bowl plagues will affect only
the men who receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 16:2). In other words, the bowl plagues
will affect only those men who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads (see Revelation 7:1-
4). Without the sealing of God in their foreheads, God's people will not be protected from the wrath
of God which will be poured out on the impenitent when the seven last bowl plagues begin to fall.
From the pen of inspiration, we read the following in relation to this point:

"I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it.
Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised his hands
upward, and with a voice of deep pity cried, “My blood, Father, my blood, my blood, my blood.”
Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and
was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the
four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand,
and crying with a loud voice, “Hold! hold! hold! hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their
foreheads.” I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels
were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that he gave his
angels charge over things on the earth, and that the four angels had power from God to hold the

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four winds, and that they were about to let them go, and while their hands were loosening, and the
four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed,
then he raised his hands to the Father and plead with him that he had spilled his blood for them.
Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold, until
the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads." — (ExV 21.1)

2) INTRODUCTORY SANCTUARY SCENES

Similar to other themes in the book of Revelation, the seven bowls open with various imageries of
the heavenly sanctuary. From Revelation 15, we read the following introductory passage that is
heavily embedded with symbols of the work in the heavenly sanctuary:

"15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last
plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory
over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on
the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great
and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations
shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven
was opened:

15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and
white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

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15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of
God, who liveth for ever and ever.

15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no
man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled."

(Revelation 15:1-8)

The passage above is full of heavy symbolism. For us to understand the key issues in the passage,
we will consider key explanations to the various verses in the passage one item after the other:

A) "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last
plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." (Revelation 15:1)

Key Explanation: The apostle John beheld the seven angels having the seven last plagues. John
says in these plagues is filled up the wrath of God.

B) "15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory
over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on
the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great
and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations
shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest."

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(Revelation 15:2-4)

Key Explanation: John is introduced to the saints who had gotten victory over the beast, and over
his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name. John says that these saints, who
stand on the sea of glass in heaven, glorify God in their song for His judgements which are made
manifest. It is apparent from the subsequent verses that follow this scene that this judgement that
is being mentioned here is the wrath of God contained in the seven last bowl plagues that will be
poured out on the wicked.

C) "15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in
heaven was opened:

15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and
white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of
God, who liveth for ever and ever."

(Revelation 15:5-7)

Key Explanation:

Key Explanation: The mention of the testimony (the law) in this passage makes it clear that the
Most Holy Place of the heavenly tabernacle is in view here (Revelation 15:5; see also Revelation
11:19). Thus, the seven angels came out from the very presence of God. We are told that they came
out of the Most Holy Place with the seven bowl plagues which were given unto them by one of
the four beasts (Revelation 15:7).

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D) "And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man
was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled."
(Revelation 15:8)

Key Explanation: After the seven angels came out from the presence of God in the Most Holy
Place, we are told that "And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his
power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels
were fulfilled" (Revelation 15:8). For several centuries, the second apartment of the tabernacle in
heaven had been the centre where the most solemn works of intercession and judgement had been
ongoing. Several Adventist literature on this text make the key point that the temple being filled
with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power such that no man was able to enter into the
temple is a symbolic expression of the close of human probation in the heavenly sanctuary. From
the article "The Close of Probation Is a Biblical Teaching!" by Marvin Moore published in
Adventist Today, we read the following commentary on Revelation 15:8:

"This verse is actually based on 2 Chronicles 5:13 and 7:1, 2. Both of these texts are in the context
of the dedication of Solomon’s temple. Chapter 5:13 says, “Then the temple of the Lord was filled
with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of
the Lord filled the temple of God.” Chapter 7:1, 2 says essentially the same thing: “When Solomon
finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices,
and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord
because the glory of the Lord filled it.”

Notice that when the cloud and the glory of the Lord filled the temple, the priests could not enter
the temple to perform their service. And this concept, which is borrowed from these two passages
in 2 Chronicles, will at some point in the future take place in God’s temple in heaven. The
statement in Revelation 15:8 that “no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the
seven angels were completed” means that Christ has concluded His intercessory ministry in the
temple on behalf of sinners, and even He cannot (or perhaps more correctly, will not) enter it. And
in the very next verse, which is Chapter 16:1, the seven angels begin to pour out their bowls of
wrath, the seven last plagues." — (The Close of Probation Is a Biblical Teaching!" by Marvin
Moore)

Through the ordinances of the sanctuary, the Lord taught His people the great plan of salvation
which will be fulfilled through the advent of the Messiah. In the fullness of time Christ clothed

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His divinity with the garb of humanity to fulfill the ordinances of the sanctuary. He came into our
world to thread the path of pain and death for the salvation of mankind. Even though He sacrificed
His life for all, few among the race of Adam would accept His offer of mercy and grace (Matthew
7:14). The long suffering of God for the impenitent will one day come to an end. At the close of
human probation, Jesus will leave the office of His mediatorial work and the wicked will now have
to pay for their own sins. They will now have to drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is
poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation (Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 16:1).

3) EXPOSITION ON THE SEVEN BOWLS

As we have noted earlier in this study, the passages that deal with the seven bowls are Revelation
15 and 16. As we go through these passages, we will try to make meaning of the texts by focussing
on the key expressions in the passages. We will be considering internal hints, allusions to other
scriptural passages, and parallels within the book of Revelation. It is my prayer that the exposition
in this study will not just be another interpretation that will compound the confusion out there but
will rather shed clear light on this important subject of Scripture. Let us now consider the various
bowls in sequential order:

A) FIRST BOWL

Key Text: Revelation 16:2

DESCRIPTION OF PLAGUE

"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." (Revelation 16:2; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION

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"9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace,
and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

9:9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be A BOIL BREAKING
FORTH WITH BLAINS upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.

9:10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up
toward heaven; and it became A BOIL BREAKING FORTH WITH BLAINS upon man, and upon
beast.

9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the BOILS; for the boil was upon
the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians."

(Exodus 9:8-11; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

By comparing the key expression A NOISOME AND GRIEVOUS SORE (Revelation 16:2) in the
first plague with other similar expression of Scripture such as A BOIL BREAKING FORTH
WITH BLAINS (Exodus 9:9, 10), we can see that the description of the first plague has a clear
allusion from Scripture. Even though the language in the various passages may vary slightly but
the import of the message they contain is similar. It is significant for us to observe that a similar
plague as we see in Revelation 16:2 was found among the ten plagues of Egypt (review Exodus
9:8-11). Since the plague of boils that came upon the Egyptians was a literal plague, we can make
a safe assertion that the plague expression of A NOISOME AND GRIEVOUS SORE will be an
end-time literal plague that will be poured on the wicked just before the second coming of Christ.

Moreover, we are told that this sore fell upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon
them which worshipped his image" (Revelation 16:2). It is important for us to note that the wicked
who will receive the mark of the beast on their hands or in their foreheads will do so during the
final hours of this earth's history (see Revelation 13:15-17). What this means is that the seven last
bowl plagues should be considered to occur in the future during the final hours of this earth's

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history, even the period of time after the close of human probation. In contrast to those who receive
the plagues of God because they accepted the mark of the beast are the righteous who are shielded
from the plagues because they possess the seal of God (see Revelation 6:14-17 up to Revelation
7:1-4). This explanation synchronises with the following precious promise of God to His children
in the book of Psalms:

"91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come
nigh thee.

91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."

(Psalm 91:7-11)

TARGET LOCATION

"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." (Revelation 16:2; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

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The first plague is poured upon the earth. The earth here basically refers to the physical land of the
earth's surface. From the Strong's Concordance, the Greek word "gē" interpreted as earth in the
English is "Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region or the solid part or the
whole of the terrene globe".

EFFECT ON THE WICKED

"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." (Revelation 16:2; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION:

The first plague affects the men who receive the mark of the beast. We are told that "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" (Revelation 16:2; Capital Emphasis Added).

B) SECOND BOWL

Key Text: Revelation 16:3

DESCRIPTION OF PLAGUE

"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."
(Revelation 16:3; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

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There is not a direct key scriptural allusion of this plague in Scripture. The closest allusion we can
infer has to do with the first plague that came upon the Egyptians. In this particular plague, it was
the rivers of Egypt that were affected (see Exodus 7:14-25). In as much as God was able to plague
the rivers of Egypt to become blood, we can be sure of His words that says that He will plague the
sea to also become blood during the final hours of earth's history. If the rivers of Egypt were
physically turned to blood, we should expect that God's end-time plague upon the sea will also be
a physical plague that will turn certain seas of the world to become as blood.

TARGET LOCATION

"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." (Revelation 16:3; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

The fourth plague is poured upon the sea. The word "sea" is utilised here in the literal sense. This
understanding is backed by the interpretation of the Greek word "thalassa" which is interpreted
into English as sea in the Strong's Concordance.

EFFECT ON THE WICKED

"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." (Revelation 16:3; Capital
Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

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The second plague affects the purity of the sea. We are told that "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." (Revelation 16:3; Capital Emphasis Added)

C) THIRD BOWL

Key Text: Revelation 16:4-7

DESCRIPTION OF PLAGUE

"16:4 AND THE THIRD ANGEL POURED OUT HIS VIAL UPON THE RIVERS AND
FOUNTAINS OF WATERS; AND THEY BECAME BLOOD.

16:5 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.

16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink;
for they are worthy.

16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are
thy judgments."

(Revelation 16:4-7; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION

"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

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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.

7:20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; AND HE LIFTED UP THE ROD,
AND SMOTE THE WATERS THAT WERE IN THE RIVER, IN THE SIGHT OF PHARAOH,
AND IN THE SIGHT OF HIS SERVANTS; AND ALL THE WATERS THAT WERE IN THE
RIVER WERE TURNED TO BLOOD.

7:21 AND THE FISH THAT WAS IN THE RIVER DIED; AND THE RIVER STANK, AND
THE EGYPTIANS COULD NOT DRINK OF THE WATER OF THE RIVER; AND THERE
WAS BLOOD THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT."

(Exodus 7:19-21; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

By comparing the key expression "AND THE THIRD ANGEL POURED OUT HIS VIAL UPON
THE RIVERS AND FOUNTAINS OF WATERS; AND THEY BECAME BLOOD" (Revelation
16:4) in the third plague with other similar expression of Scripture such as "20...AND HE LIFTED
UP THE ROD, AND SMOTE THE WATERS THAT WERE IN THE RIVER, IN THE SIGHT
OF PHARAOH, AND IN THE SIGHT OF HIS SERVANTS; AND ALL THE WATERS THAT
WERE IN THE RIVER WERE TURNED TO BLOOD. 21 AND THE FISH THAT WAS IN THE
RIVER DIED; AND THE RIVER STANK, AND THE EGYPTIANS COULD NOT DRINK OF
THE WATER OF THE RIVER; AND THERE WAS BLOOD THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND
OF EGYPT" (Exodus 7:20, 21), we can see that the description of the third plague has a clear
allusion from Scripture. Even though the language in the various passages may vary slightly but
the import of the message they contain is similar. It is significant for us to observe that a similar
plague as we see in Revelation 16:4 was found among the ten plagues of Egypt (review Exodus
7:19-21). Since the waters of Egypt were turned into literal blood, we can make a safe assertion
that the plague whereby the rivers and fountains of waters are turned into blood will be an end-
time literal plague that will be poured on the wicked just before the second coming of Christ.

TARGET LOCATION

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"16:4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon THE RIVERS AND FOUNTAINS OF
WATERS; and they became blood.

16:5 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.

16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink;
for they are worthy.

16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are
thy judgments."

(Revelation 16:4-7; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

The third plague is poured upon the rivers and the fountains of waters. The word "rivers" and the
expression "fountains of waters" are used in the literal sense. This understanding is backed by the
interpretation of the Greek words "potamos" and "pēgē" which are interpreted into English as
"rivers" and "fountain" respectively in the Strong's Concordance.

EFFECT ON THE WICKED

"16:4 AND THE THIRD ANGEL POURED OUT HIS VIAL UPON THE RIVERS AND
FOUNTAINS OF WATERS; AND THEY BECAME BLOOD.

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16:5 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.

16:6 FOR THEY HAVE SHED THE BLOOD OF SAINTS AND PROPHETS, AND THOU
HAST GIVEN THEM BLOOD TO DRINK; FOR THEY ARE WORTHY.

16:7 AND I HEARD ANOTHER OUT OF THE ALTAR SAY, EVEN SO, LORD GOD
ALMIGHTY, TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ARE THY JUDGMENTS."

(Revelation 16:4-7; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

The third plague affects the rivers and fountains of waters. We are told that "4 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" (Revelation 16:4-7). The apostle John heared
the angel of the waters and another angel at the altar declare the righteous judgement of God on
behalf of the saints and prophets. This judgement we see here concerning the wicked is good news
that one day God will avenge the blood of the faithful who had suffered in the hands of wicked
men for their faith in Christ. Take a moment to consider how this judgement will answer the cry
of the saints under the altar in the Revelation (see Revelation 6:9-11).

D) FOURTH BOWL

Key Text: Revelation 16:8, 9

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DESCRIPTION OF PLAGUE

"16:8 AND THE FOURTH ANGEL POURED OUT HIS VIAL UPON THE SUN; AND POWER
WAS GIVEN UNTO HIM TO SCORCH MEN WITH FIRE.

16:9 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."

(Revelation 16:8, 9; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

There is not a direct key scriptural allusion of this plague in Scripture. However, when we go
through the pages of Scripture, we see how from ancient times mankind has worshipped the sun.
In biblical times, sun worship was so prevalent that God's peculiar people, even the nation of Israel,
were often enticed into this abominable pagan practice (see Ezekiel 8:16). When we fast forward
to the middle ages, we learn about how the Sabbath day was changed from the seventh day to the
first day, the day that the pagans utilised to worship the sun god. The Scripture has prophesied that
as we get closer to the final hours of this earth's history, mankind will be forced to rest and worship
on this day that has been made sacred for the worship of the sun god. The saints of God who choose
not to go along with the state law to rest and worship on the day of the sun will face persecution
and even death (see Revelation 13:15-17). Even though the wicked who will go along with the
state law to honour the day of the sun god will escape persecution from human authorities, they
cannot escape the wrath of God which will be poured unmixed into the cup of His indignation
(Revelation 14:9-11). The Lord will utilise the sun which men has made as an object of worship
as one of His primary agents to bring punishment upon the impenitent. We are told that "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" (Revelation 16:9).

TARGET LOCATION

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"16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon THE SUN; and power was given unto him to
scorch men with fire.

16:9 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."

(Revelation 16:8, 9; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

The fourth plague is poured upon the sun. The word "sun" is utilised here in the literal sense. This
understanding is backed by the interpretation of the Greek word "hēlios" which is interpreted into
English as sun in the Strong's Concordance.

EFFECT ON THE WICKED

"16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; AND POWER WAS GIVEN UNTO
HIM TO SCORCH MEN WITH FIRE.

16:9 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."

(Revelation 16:8, 9; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

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The fourth plague radically changes the intensity of the sun's radiation upon the earth. Terrible will
be the heat that will emanate from the sun upon the shelterless head of those who had trampled
upon the unchangeable law of Jehovah. We are told that "8 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" (Revelation 16:8, 9). The latter portion of the passage which says
that the wicked "blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they
repented not to give him glory" is an expression which tells us clearly that the unleashing of this
plague occurred at a time when probation had closed for the wicked inhabitants of the earth. It is
apparent that the wicked were not able to repent because Christ had completed the work of
intercession for all the saints (see Revelation 15:8; Revelation 22:10-12).

E) FIFTH BOWL

Key Text: Revelation 16:10, 11.

DESCRIPTION OF PLAGUE

"16:10 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,

16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not
of their deeds."

(Revelation 16:10, 11; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION:

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"10:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, THAT THERE
MAY BE DARKNESS OVER THE LAND OF EGYPT, EVEN DARKNESS WHICH MAY BE
FELT.

10:22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the
land of Egypt three days:

10:23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children
of Israel had light in their dwellings."

(Exodus 10:21-23; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

By comparing the key expression "AND HIS KINGDOM WAS FULL OF DARKNESS"
(Revelation 16:10) in the fifth plague with other similar expression of Scripture such as "THAT
THERE MAY BE DARKNESS OVER THE LAND OF EGYPT, EVEN DARKNESS WHICH
MAY BE FELT" (Exodus 10:21), we can see that the description of the fifth plague has a clear
allusion from Scripture. Even though the language in the various passages may vary slightly but
the import of the message they contain is similar. It is significant for us to observe that a similar
plague as we see in Revelation 16:10 was found among the ten plagues of Egypt (review Exodus
10:21-23). Since the darkness that came over Egypt was literal darkness, we can make a safe
assertion that the plague of darkness which afflicts the seat of the beast will be an end-time literal
darkness that will affect the kingdom or territory of the beast power.

The beast power that is being referenced here is the first beast of Revelation 13, even the Roman
Catholic Papacy. Based on this background, some interpreters view the expression the "seat of the
beast" that we find in Revelation 16:10 as the territory of the Papacy, even the Vatican City. We
learn from Scripture that "the dragon gave him his power, AND HIS SEAT, and great authority"
(Revelation 13:2; Capital Emphasis Added). The dragon basically represents Satan, the arch
enemy of God (see Revelation 12:9), who worked through the Pagan Roman Empire to attempt to
destroy the growing church of Christ (see Revelation 12:9). It is interesting to learn from history
that it was Pagan Rome under the leadership of Constantine which offered her capital or seat of

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political administration in Rome unto the Papacy during the Middle Ages. Friends, through the
plague of literal darkness that will hit the seat of the beast power, the Lord will show the entire
world the side of the Great Controversy that is in spiritual darkness (see Luke 22:53; Ephesians
6:11, 12). With Babylon the Great humiliated before the world, the wicked observe in shock as the
system that they had come to trust was now at the mercy of the devastating plagues from heaven.

At this point in the history of the world, the entire wicked humanity that had formed an alliance
with the beast power will realise too late that they had put their trust on the wrong side. Feeling
deceived, they turn against the apostate system of Babylon, causing her downfall (see Revelation
17:16, 17). Even though the wicked realise they are in the wrong camp, they realise this important
truth too late. These folks have rejected the plain truths of God's Holy Word which were brought
freely unto them by humble light bearers from heaven (see 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). Like
Jerusalem of old, they did not recognise the time of their visitation until the period of human
probation had closed (see Luke 19:41-44; Revelation 22:10-12). Realising the sad fate that they
are lost, the Scriptures says "15...and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 16 And blasphemed the
God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds (Revelation
16:15, 16).

TARGET LOCATION

"16:10 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,

16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not
of their deeds."

(Revelation 16:10, 11; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

The fifth plague is poured upon the seat of the beast. The word "seat" is translated from the Greek
word "thronos" which is interpreted into English as "a stately seat (throne); by implication power

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or (concretely) a potentate" (Strong's Concordance). Moreover, it is important to note that the
expression "the seat of the beast" utilised in Revelation 16:10 is parallel to the expression "that
great city" which is utilised in Revelation 17:18 (review Revelation 17:16, 17). By comparing
these two scriptural passages, it is apparent that the expression "the seat of the beast" is utilised in
Revelation 16:10 to refer to the territory occupied by the beast power, even the Vatican City of the
Papacy, the antichrist of Bible Prophecy.

EFFECT ON THE WICKED

"16:10 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,

16:11 AND BLASPHEMED THE GOD OF HEAVEN BECAUSE OF THEIR PAINS AND
THEIR SORES, AND REPENTED NOT OF THEIR DEEDS."

(Revelation 16:10, 11; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

As we have noted earlier, the fifth bowl afflicts the seat of the beast with literal darkness. Just as
Pharaoh's magicians were affected by the boils and other plagues that came upon the land of Egypt
(see Exodus 9:11), so will the people who reside in the kingdom of the beast be also affected by
the plagues that will fall on the wicked at the end of time. The Scripture says “15...and they gnawed
their tongues for pain, 16 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores,
and repented not of their deeds” (Revelation 16:15, 16). This expression of blasphemy coming
from those who dwell in the kingdom of the beast tell about the end of intercession for the wicked.
Despite the judgements of God upon humanity, these folks are not able to repent from their lawless
deeds to merit the mercy of God because the time of human probation had closed for the impenitent
who slighted so great a salvation in Jesus Christ. Moreover, this expression also helps us to
appreciate the point that the seven bowl plagues are to be viewed to be occurring during the final
hours of this earth's history, even just close to the second coming of Christ.

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F) SIXTH BOWL

Key Text: Revelation 16:12-16

DESCRIPTION OF PLAGUE

"16:12 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.

16:13 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.

16:14 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.

16:15 BEHOLD, I COME AS A THIEF. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments,
lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue ARMAGEDDON."

(Revelation 16:12-16; Capital Emphasis Added)

As we can see from the passage above, the symbolism found in the sixth plague are enormous and
diverse. In order for us to obtain a clear understanding of the various symbolic expressions, we
need to consider the various expressions one item at a time. We will now consider the various key
expressions one after the other as follows:

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A) THE DRYING UP OF THE RIVER EUPHRATES

"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." (Revelation 16:12; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY SCRIPTURAL ALLUSIONS

i) "44:27 THAT SAITH TO THE DEEP, BE DRY, AND I WILL DRY UP THY RIVERS:

44:28 THAT SAITH OF CYRUS, HE IS MY SHEPHERD, and shall perform all my pleasure:
even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

45:1 THUS SAITH THE LORD TO HIS ANOINTED, TO CYRUS, whose right hand I have
holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the
two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;"

(Isaiah 44:27, 28 — Isaiah 45:1; Capital Emphasis Added)

ii) "43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, EVEN THE GATE THAT LOOKETH TOWARD
THE EAST:

43:2 AND, BEHOLD, THE GLORY OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL CAME FROM THE WAY OF
THE EAST: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory."

(Ezekiel 43:1, 2; Capital Emphasis Added)

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iii) "FOR AS THE LIGHTNING COMETH OUT OF THE EAST, AND SHINETH EVEN UNTO
THE WEST; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE." (Matthew 24:27;
Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

By comparing the key expressions "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" (Revelation 16:12) in the sixth plague
with other similar expressions of Scripture such as "THAT SAITH TO THE DEEP, BE DRY,
AND I WILL DRY UP THY RIVERS:" (Isaiah 44:27), THAT SAITH OF CYRUS, HE IS MY
SHEPHERD (Isaiah 44:28), THUS SAITH THE LORD TO HIS ANOINTED, TO CYRUS,
whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings,
to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;" (Isaiah 45:1), we can see
that the various symbolic expressions in relation to the drying up of the River Euphrates have clear
allusions from Scripture.

As we can see from the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah, the Great River Euphrates which served as
the lifeline of the ancient kingdom of Babylon was to dry up, creating a way for Cyrus, the king
from the east (see Isaiah 46:11) to enter into Babylon and overthrow it. As we learn from history,
that is exactly what happened. Popular tradition has it that the Medo-Persian army diverted the
course of the River Euphrates, and marched down the river bed into the city of Babylon to overtake
it. What happened concerning the fall of ancient Babylon is actually a type or figure of how end-
time spiritual Babylon will fall during the period that the seven bowl plagues are poured on the
wicked. It is interesting to learn from Revelation 17:1 that end-time Babylon also sits on many
waters. And this spiritual Babylon will also fall as her waters dry up to prepare the way for the
Kings of the east. From Revelation 17:15, we learn about what the waters represent. The apostle
John clearly writes: "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth,
are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Revelation 17:15). Thus friends, the end-
time River Euphrates where mystical Babylon sits actually refers to a multitude of peoples, nations
and tongues.

In our series on The Final Events of Bible Prophecy, we took time to prove from Scripture and
history that the Roman Catholic Church System is Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and
abominations of the earth (see Revelation 17:5). This end-time spiritual Babylon, operating from

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the Vatican City, actually presides over multitudes of peoples, nations and tongues across the
world. As the River Euphrates served as the lifeline of the ancient kingdom of Babylon, so does
the over two billion people that the Papacy controls through her wine of false doctrines serve as
her support base. There are two main events which will lead to the drying up of the waters of
spiritual Babylon. The first event which will begin the drying up of the waters of end-time Babylon
is when the messages of the three angels of Revelation 14:6-12 are preached with Holy Spirit
power by God's end-time people. Now, as these messages go forth to the world, and the call is
made for God's people to come out of her (Revelation 18:4), millions of people who love Jesus but
have been deceived by this system, and her apostate daughters through their wine of false doctrines
(Revelation 17:2), will leave the false religious system, and withdraw the support they have
rendered her over the years.

It is encouraging to learn that the messages of the three angels of Revelation 14 are already going
clear across the world with thousands taking their stand for God's truth, and leaving behind
Babylon the Great, thus drying up her waters. The second event which will completely dry up the
waters or the support base of modern-day Babylon is when the seven bowl plagues begin to hit.
Now, when the plagues begin to hit, people are going to soon realise that they have been deceived
into joining the wrong camp. The Bible says those who have given their support to the beast power
will now hate her (see Revelation 17:16), and of course will withdraw their support. But
unfortunately, even though these people will leave end-time spiritual Babylon, they will leave
when it's too late to change sides or allegiance. They will leave when probation has closed and the
seven bowl plagues are hitting hard on the wicked. Oh! It's my prayer that as you read this message,
beloved friend, the Lord will strengthen you to leave Babylon while there is still time. At the end
of the day, multitudes of people are going to hate the whore for deceiving them, and will come out
of her. But they will do so when it's too late. However, as the multitudes withdraw their support,
the waters of spiritual Babylon dries up, and prepares the way for the coming of the Kings of the
East.

At this point, I believe many of you will want to know who the end-time Kings of the East are.
Friends, these Kings who will be coming from the East to destroy the power of modern-day
spiritual Babylon is none other than Jesus Christ and His army of all the angelic host in heaven
(Matthew 25:31; Revelation 8:1). Let us consider some parallels in the Old Testament in relation
to this point:

Cyrus, the leader mentioned in Bible prophecy to dry up the Euphrates, and to conquer ancient
Babylon was described with two key words. From the book of Isaiah, we read the following
concerning Cyrus:

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"44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my SHEPHERD, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying
to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his ANNOINTED, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to
subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved
gates; and the gates shall not be shut;"

(Isaiah 44:28-45:1; Capital Emphasis Added)

Friends, the two important words that the prophet Isaiah utilises to describe Cyrus are Shepherd
and Anointed. It is worth noting that these two words are all utilised in relation to Christ. In relation
to the word Shepherd, we find the Scripture describing Christ in the following ways:

"Awake, O sword, against my SHEPHERD, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD
of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the
little ones." (Zechariah 13:7; Capital Emphasis Added, see also Matthew 26:56)

"I am the GOOD SHEPHERD: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:11;
Capital Emphasis Added)

Moreover, in relation to the word Anointed, we find the Scripture describing Christ in the
following ways:

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath ANOINTED ME to preach good
tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the
captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" (Isaiah 61:1; Capital Emphasis
Added, see also Luke 4:18)

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From the passages above, we see clearly how Cyrus was a type of Christ. It is interesting to learn
that as Cyrus and his army came from the East to destroy ancient Babylon (review Isaiah 46:11),
so does God's Word prophesy that Christ and the entire heavenly host of angels will come from
the East to bring an end to the deceptions and cruelty of modern-day spiritual Babylon. From the
books of Ezekiel and Matthew, we read the following in relation to this point:

"43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward THE EAST:

43:2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from THE WAY OF THE EAST: and his
voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory."

(Ezekiel 43:1, 2; Capital Emphasis Added)

"For as the lightning cometh out of THE EAST, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:27; Capital Emphasis Added)

B) THE SATANIC TRINITY AND THE GATHERING TOGETHER OF THE NATIONS

"16:13 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.

16:14 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."

(Revelation 16:13, 14; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION

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i) "8:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the
LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

8:2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I WILL SMITE ALL THY BORDERS WITH
FROGS:

8:3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house,
and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people,
and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:

8:4 And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.

8:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over
the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.

8:6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered
the land of Egypt.

8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of
Egypt."

(Exodus 8:1-7; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

By comparing the key expression "THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS LIKE FROGS" in the sixth
plague with "I WILL SMITE ALL THY BORDERS WITH FROGS:" (Exodus 8:2), we can see
that the expression in relation to frogs in the sixth plague has a clear allusion from Scripture. Even
though the frogs that came over the people of Egypt were literal frogs, the frogs we find in the

27
sixth plague must be understood in a symbolic manner. For the Scripture says concerning these
frogs: "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"
(Revelation 16:14). Moreover, from the expression "THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS LIKE FROGS"
(Revelation 16:13), we see how Satan is going to use a counterfeit trinity to war against the people
of God during the final hours of this earth's history. As the text stipulates, this counterfeit trinity is
made up of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 16:13).

The dragon is primarily a symbol of Satan (Revelation 12:7-9), the beast power represents the
Papacy (the Roman Catholic Church System) while the false prophet represents Apostate
Protestantism. These are the three powers that form Satan's counterfeit trinity; the dragon (Satan)
being the counterfeit of God the Father; the beast (Papacy) being the counterfeit of Jesus Christ;
and the false prophet (Apostate Protestantism) being the counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. Moreover,
from Revelation 16:14, we learn that the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet will go to the
kings of the earth (i.e. the political powers of this world), and convince them through deceptive
messages and spectacular signs and wonders, to get them to back their military strategy against the
people of God. From Revelation 13:13-17, we obtain a glimpse of how the satanic trinity will
utilise the military muscles of the political powers of the earth to war against God's people. We
read from Revelation 13 the following:

"13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth
in the sight of men,

13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had
power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make
an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should
both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in
their right hand, or in their foreheads:

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13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or
the number of his name."

(Revelation 13:13-17)

From the passage above, we note how in the journey by the threefold satanic union to convince
the political powers of the world, the false prophet will actually take the initiative. When the false
prophet, which is Protestant America, succeeds in forcing her government to pass a Mandatory
National Sunday Law, then America would have formed the image to the beast (see Revelation
13:14, 15). In other words, they would have acted just like the beast power. Thus, the image of the
beast is basically a phrase that describes the character of the beast. As we have seen over and again
in history, the Roman Catholic Church does not hesitate to use any means including brute force to
ensure compliance to her dogmas. Thus, when Protestant America forces her government to pass
a law that will coerce her citizens to honour the false Sabbath (Sunday Worship) of the Papacy,
then they would have acted just like the Papacy, and would have made themselves into an image
or a copy of the beast power. It is important for us to note that when the United States take the lead
in passing a Mandatory National Sunday Law, which will actually be the mark of the beast, the
rest of the world will follow suit. And this will be the great gathering of the nations against those
who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:14;
Revelation 12:17).

C) AN EXHORTATION TO WATCH

"BEHOLD, I COME AS A THIEF. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he
walk naked, and they see his shame." (Revelation 16:15; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY SCRIPTURAL ALLUSIONS

i) "5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A THIEF
IN THE NIGHT.

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5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A
THIEF."

(1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4; Capital Emphasis Added)

ii) "BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT; in the which
the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10; Capital Emphasis
Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

By comparing the key expression "BEHOLD, I COME AS A THIEF" in the sixth plague with
other similar expressions of Scripture such as "THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A
THIEF IN THE NIGHT" (1 Thessalonians 5:2), "THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS
A THIEF" (1 Thessalonians 5:4), "BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF
IN THE NIGHT" (2 Peter 3:10), we can see that the expression in relation to Christ's coming as a
thief is consistent with other texts of Scripture. The expression "BEHOLD, I COME AS A THIEF"
(Revelation 16:15) is not to be understood in a literal sense but rather in a symbolic sense. Some
interpret this text to mean that Christ will be coming quietly as a thief to take His people away,
thus trying to defend the secret rapture doctrine. But beloved the real meaning of the text has to do
with the suddenness with which a thief comes upon his victim. Thus in this text in Revelation
16:15, the Master pronounces that He commeth suddenly as a thief, and that if there is any
preparation we have to make in our lives so we can meet Him in joy, then it is now and not
tomorrow.

The expression "BEHOLD, I COME AS A THIEF" (Revelation 16:15) helps us to appreciate the
point that this is not the time to be playing and trifling with any known sin; for we are in the time
of the fearful sealing of God's faithful children (see Revelation 7:1-3). This is not the time to be
glued on our seats watching various TV programmes, shows, series, telenovelas, movies,
competitive sports and other forms of worldly amusements; for if we do this, we will be
exchanging our eternal inheritance for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25:29-34). Friends, this is the
time to consecrate our hearts and minds to God and to His service. This is the time to diligently
fast and pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives so we can resist sin. This is the time

30
to study God's Word like never before so that we can overcome the enemy as Christ overcame him
in the wilderness of temptation (see Matthew 4:1-11). This is the time to examine ourselves to
ascertain whether we are truly in the faith or not (2 Corinthians 13:5). It is for this reason that
Christ encourages us with the words: "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest
he walk naked, and they see his shame" (Revelation 16:15).

D) THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue ARMAGEDDON."
(Revelation 16:16; Capital Emphasis Added)

KEY EXPLANATION

There is not a direct key scriptural allusion of the expression that we find in the sixth plague. In
fact, the word Armageddon appears only once in Scripture. Unfortunately, several of God's people
in Christendom have come to associate Armageddon with something like a third world war that
will be fought between the superpowers of the world somewhere in the Middle East. However,
when we open the Word of God and begin to study into this subject, we come away with a totally
different picture in regard to the word "Armageddon". In fact, we learn from Scripture that the
Battle of Armageddon is not a physical battle that is going to be fought somewhere in the Middle
East but rather the culmination of a cosmic spiritual battle that has been raging on for centuries
(see Revelation 12:7-9).

It is important for us to note that the word "Armageddon" is derived from two Hebrew words "Har"
and "Megiddo" which literally means the Mount of Megiddo. Some Bible scholars believe that
this Mount of Megiddo is an apparent reference to Mount Carmel that towers above the valley in
which the ancient city of Megiddo was located. And so friends, for us to be able to understand the
end-time Battle of Armageddon, we will have to once again go back to the Old Testament and
learn whether this Mount of Megiddo had any meaning for the people of ancient Israel. Now after
we are able to understand the meaning of the word "Armageddon" from the perspective of the
people of ancient Israel, we will then be in a better position to apply the word to apocalyptic or
end-time prophecy.

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It is interesting to learn that there are two particular stories in the Old Testament with their setting
based on the Mount of Megiddo, and thus help us to understand the end-time Battle of Armageddon.
The first story is found in Judges Chapters 4 and 5 while the second story is found in Judges
Chapter 7. These two stories describe battles that were fought between the people of God (the
Israelites) and their enemies in the Valley of Megiddo. Now, in the story at Judges Chapters 4 and
5, we learn about how the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord when Ehud was dead.
The passage in Judges 4 tells us how the Lord sold them to Jabin, king of Canaan, who mightily
oppressed them for twenty long years. But the children of Israel cried unto the Lord and the Lord
heard their cry. At that time, a prophetess by name Deborah judged Israel. The word of the Lord
came to Deborah and she called Barak and said to him:

"4:6 ... Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor,
and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

4:7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his
chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with
me, then I will not go."

(Judges 4:6-8).

Friends, Barak feared to go because the Israelites have been oppressed for so long by the
Canaanites. He wondered how they would be able to stand in battle against this vast army that
boasted of 900 iron chariots (see Judges 4:3). From a human point of view, there was no way the
Israelites could defeat this enemy and win the battle. But the message from God's prophet to Barak
was go and the Lord will deliver them into your hand (Judges 4:6, 7). And so when Barak heeded
the voice of God, the Lord gave an overwhelming victory to the Israelites. We are told in Judges
4 the following: "But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the
Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left"
(Judges 4:16). The crucial point we take away from this story is that in this battle that was fought
in the Valley of Megiddo, it was basically the hand of the Lord that gained the victory for His
people.

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Besides the story above, we read from Judges 7 another interesting story about another battle that
was fought by the Israelites in the Valley of Megiddo. And beloved, this is the story of Gideon and
his 300 men. In the story of Gideon, we find the same thing as described in Revelation 16. We
read about how a threefold power consisting of the Medianites, the Amalekites and the people of
the East gathered themselves together against the Israelites and oppressed them. Following God's
instructions, Gideon selected only 300 men for the battle and divided them into three companies.
The men were all given a trumpet, a pitcher and a sword. And following the instructions of Gideon,
the Israelites at the right time broke their pitchers, trimmed their lights, blew their trumpets, raised
their swords and shouted. After all this was done, the threefold army, whose number was as the
sand of the seashore, woke up in confusion. They heard the noise of the blurring trumpets, they
saw the lights, and thought that a vast army had come upon them. In the ensuing confusion, this
threefold army turned on each other and began killing themselves. There was a great victory for
Israel on that day. And this battle fought at the Valley of Megiddo, was also won through the
mighty hand of God.

Thus friends, to the Israelite, whenever you mention the Valley of Megiddo, among other things,
it also brings into memory battles that were won when God fought for them in miraculous ways.
And so when the Scriptures says in Revelation 16:16 that; "And he gathered them together into a
place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon", what it basically means is that, things will look
hopeless for God's people, it will look as if we are going to be destroyed, but at the last minute
God will intervene and fight for us. This is exactly what happens in the end when the threefold
powers of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet gather the entire world together to oppress
those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 16:13, 14;
Revelation 12:17). For it will be determined in the highest councils of the earth, that the
stubbornness of this small group in refusing to join the majority to obey the beast power is what
has brought the fearsome plagues on the earth. Thus, the people of God will be accused for being
the cause of the plagues that the Lord had been pouring on the earth because of the lawless deeds
of mankind. Then a decree will finally go forth from the highest courts of the world that all such
religious fundamentalists should be exterminated. At this point, the stage would have been set for
the final showdown: the real end-time Battle of Armageddon. The events of this battle are vividly
described in the seventh and final plague that will be unleashed on the wicked inhabitants of the
earth.

G) THE SEVENTH BOWL

Key Text: Revelation 16:17-21

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DESCRIPTION OF PLAGUE

"16:17 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.

16:18 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.

16:19 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.

16:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

16:21 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."

(Revelation 16:17-21)

It is important to note that the description of the events in the seventh bowl also follow a literal
structure like the first five bowls. Due to the clear literal nature of the language that is utilised to
describe this bowl, we will only consider key explanations to the various verses in the passage one
item after the other:

i) "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." (Revelation 16:17)

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Key Explanation: The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air. Here, the target of the plague
seems to be the open firmament of heaven. When we compare Scripture with Scripture, we find
out that the vial of the seventh plague affects the open firmament of heaven. Let us check the
evidence from Revelation 6:

"6:14 AND THE HEAVEN DEPARTED AS A SCROLL WHEN IT IS ROLLED TOGETHER;

and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and
the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the
rocks of the mountains;

6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth
on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

(Revelation 6:12-17; Capital Emphasis Added)

From the epistle of 2 Peter, we read the following: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in
the night; IN THE WHICH THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY WITH A GREAT NOISE,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be
burned up" (2 Peter 3:10; Capital Emphasis Added)

Friends, in these two texts of Scripture, we find how the events that will precede the second coming
of Christ involve certain effects on the open firmament of heaven. These events obviously depict
how the plague of the seventh angel that is poured out into the air affects the open firmament of
heaven, and thus signal the imminent return of Christ in the clouds of heaven. Moreover, we are
told that when the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air, "there came a great voice out of
the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done" (Revelation 16:17). This voice that comes
from the throne after the outpouring of the seventh plague is the voice of God. The God who has
suffered from the time sin affected the perfect creation at Eden now sees the end of the Great

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Controversy Battle at last. The expression "It is done" is similar to the words that Christ offered
on the cross before He yielded up His spirit unto death (see John 19:30). Those words "It is
finished" told of the victory gained for mankind through the sacrificial death of the Lamb of God
on the cross. This was the first important victory over Satan. Now, similar words, "It is done",
coming from the throne room of heaven brings to fruition the culmination of the Great Controversy
Battle, even as Christ and the angelic hosts prepare to descend unto the earth to ransom the saints
who shall be the heirs of salvation.

ii) "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." (Revelation 16:18)

Key Explanation: The expressions found in the text above which says "And there were voices, and
thunders, and lightnings" (Revelation 16:18) obviously indicate the sound of warfare from the
cavalry that is about to descend from heaven (see Revelation 19:11-21), and some of the natural
upheavals that will precede the literal second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven (see
Matthew 24:27). Moreover, we are told that "and there was a great earthquake, such as was not
since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great" (Revelation 16:18). The
effect of this earthquake is felt across the length and breadth of the earth. We read more about the
devastating effects of this earthquake in the subsequent text as follows:

iii) "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." (Revelation 16:19)

Key Explanation: The earthquake that precede the second coming of Christ will floor the proud
cities of the earth. We are told that "the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the
nations fell" (Revelation 16:19). Great Babylon had come in remembrance before God, to give
unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath (Revelation 16:19). This is the day of
the Lord's vengeance upon the wicked, and there is none who will be able to deliver out of His
hand.

iv) "And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found." (Revelation 16:20)

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Key Explanation: In the events leading up to the second coming of Christ, nature itself will seem
to turn out of its natural order as the Creator God prepares to descend unto the earth. We are told
that "every island fled away, and the mountains were not found" (Revelation 16:20).

v) "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." (Revelation 16:21)

Key Explanation: The last scourge that comes upon the wicked before the revelation of the Son of
Man in the clouds of heaven is the falling of great hailstones. We are told that "men blasphemed
God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great" (Revelation
16:21). In this text, we see how the wicked who are being affected by the plagues from heaven
continue in their wicked ways against the God of heaven. This is another clear indication we find
in the passage of Revelation 16 that the seven bowl plagues must be viewed as occurring in the
future, even after the close of probation, and just close to the second coming of Christ. After the
plague of the hail, Christ and the cavalry from heaven will descend upon the earth to rescue the
saints from the threefold power of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. From the book of
Revelation, we read the following thrilling information in relation to the epic moment:

"19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name
written, that no man knew, but he himself.

19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen,
white and clean.

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19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he
shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of
Almighty God.

19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD
OF LORDS.

19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the
fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the
great God;

19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men,
and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond,
both small and great.

19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make
war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him,
with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped
his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword
proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."

(Revelation 19:11-21; see also Joel 2:1-11)

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4) CONCLUSION OF STUDY

From the scriptural passages we have considered so far, we can make the following summary
outline in relation to the seven trumpets of Revelation:

A) The thematic structure of the Revelation shows that before the description of the seven bowls,
the sealing of God's end-time people is first considered.

B) Seven angels are given seven bowls that contain the full wrath of God.

C) The plagues that emanate from the seven bowls are events that are yet to take place in the future.

D) The plagues are to be poured out after the close of probation.

E) The plagues will be poured out during the final hours of this earth's history even just before the
second coming of Christ.

F) The plagues will be poured out on the wicked who receive the mark of the beast.

G) The plagues will not affect the saints who have the seal of God in their foreheads.

H) The interpretation of the bowl plagues follow a 5+1+1 structure. What this means is that the
first five plagues are interpreted in a literal manner, the sixth plague is interpreted in a symbolic
manner, while the seventh plague is interpreted in a literal manner.

Exhortation: From the pen of inspiration, we read the following remarks concerning the condition
of God's people right before the close of probation:

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"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that
is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." (Revelation 22:11)

"When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for
life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of
heaven." — (The Review and Herald, November 9, 1905)

"Scoffers pointed to the things of nature—to the unvarying succession of the seasons, to the blue
skies that had never poured out rain, to the green fields refreshed by the soft dews of night—and
they cried out: “Doth he not speak parables?” In contempt they declared the preacher of
righteousness to be a wild enthusiast; and they went on, more eager in their pursuit of pleasure,
more intent upon their evil ways, than before. But their unbelief did not hinder the predicted event.
God bore long with their wickedness, giving them ample opportunity for repentance; but at the
appointed time His judgments were visited upon the rejecters of His mercy.

Christ declares that there will exist similar unbelief concerning His second coming. As the people
of Noah's day “knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so,” in the words of our
Saviour, “shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:39. When the professed people
of God are uniting with the world, living as they live, and joining with them in forbidden pleasures;
when the luxury of the world becomes the luxury of the church; when the marriage bells are
chiming, and all are looking forward to many years of worldly prosperity—then, suddenly as the
lightning flashes from the heavens, will come the end of their bright visions and delusive hopes."
— (The Great Controversy, pp. 338, 339)

"The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of
trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths
than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would
make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready." — (The Great
Controversy, p. 594)

In our next study, we will consider the topic: The Chiastic Structure, the Seven Trumpets and the
Seven Bowls in the Revelation. The Bible study references for this study are Matthew 6:24,

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Matthew 19:30, Matthew 23:11, 12 and Mark 2:27. Please do well to go through these passages
before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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