June 08, 2024
Revelation 14 concludes with 2 great harvests – the Wheat Harvest and the Grape Harvest.
God’s people are represented as the Wheat gathered into Christ’s barn while the unrepentant are represented as Grapes trodden in the winepress of God’s wrath….. Chapters 15 and 16 build on this imagery.
Revelation 15 begins as an introduction to a new vision.
John sees another “marvelous sign” – 7 angels with the 7 Last Plagues. They are “last” because they were proceeded by the 7 Trumpets – preliminary judgments still mixed with mercy – which were intended to bring the wicked to repentance.
SEVEN LAST PLAGUES
God’s kingdom established.
Now every person has made their choice and destines have been decided. The wicked have reached the point of no return. The door of mercy is closed – intersession is no longer available. All those who have willingly chosen to follow Satan, in spite of God’s clear warnings, will experience the full force of God’s holy displeasure against sin.
Romans 1:18-32 explains God’s wrath as a “giving over.” Because the wicked have rejected him, God gives them over to their depravity. Again, he gives them what they want = life WITHOUT him.
As God begins to withdraw his presence from the earth, the 4 winds that have been held in check (7:1) are released and the 7 Last Plagues are poured out with devastating effect.
Before the angels pour out the plagues, however, there is a brief interlude describing those who have chosen to worship God.
John sees a sea that looks like glass and fire. Standing on the shore are God’s people. They were holding harps and singing the song of Moses (Ex. 15) and the Lamb. They have been symbolically gathered into God’s heavenly barn, protected from the harmful effects of the plagues to come. However, their experience will be similar to Elijah’s experience during the 3 ½ years of famine in Palestine (1Kings 17). Just as God cared for Elijah, he has promised to care for his people during this time of severe trial (Revelation 7:16).
Isaiah 33:15-16 - He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil -- this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him.
5th Introductory Sanctuary Scene – 15:5-8
After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
The Six Last Plagues
Revelation 16:1 - Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."
• Plague 1 – ugly and painful sores/boils (16:2):
The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
The Egyptians experienced this plague (#6). Now those who have the Mark of the Beast, who have chosen to worship the image and reject God’s final pleas will experience it. Just as the Children of Israel were protected from the boils plague, God’s people will not be affected by this plague.
• Plague 2 and 3 – sea, rivers and springs of water turned to blood (16:3-7):
The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.
The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
Again, this reminds us of the 1st plague on Egypt (Ex. 7:16-25).
The reason for this plague is given, “for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."
• Plague 4 – sun given power to burn with intense heat (16:8-9):
The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
The heat of the sun causes unbearable pain. However, the wicked are not moved to repentance. Instead, they curse the name of God.
• Plague 5 – total darkness against the throne of the beast and his kingdom (16:10-11):
The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
This plague also mirrors the 9th plague on Egypt, which struck the land with total and intense darkness – except in Goshen (Ex. 10:21-23).
Is this a literal darkness? Maybe, but I would suggest that it is spiritual darkness in keeping with the increasing spiritual darkness of the Trumpet Plagues. As people reject God and walk away from his light (Ps. 119:105; John 1:1-4; 3:19-21), they experience spiritual darkness, which only increases the further away they walk. The light that has been rejected is now removed completely.
2 things result from this total darkness:
o The kingdom of the beast is exposed and vulnerable - fertile soil for the final deception in which Satan will draw the entire world into the Final Great Battle.
o It is now that the followers of the beast finally realize that the beast is powerless to protect them. The very seat of Satan’s authority cannot withstand the force of these plagues. In anger and pain the people gnaw their tongues – and yet, even now they refuse to repent revealing the hardness of their hearts.
It is important to remember that we are discussing prophecy yet to be fulfilled. The true nature of the Last Plagues will only be fully understood when they are fulfilled – not before.
• Plague 6 and the gathering of armies (16:12-16):
The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
The symbolism here reminds us of literal Babylon:
o The Euphrates flowed through the center of the city of Babylon, providing water for the inhabitants. No water – no Babylon.
o The destruction of Babylon occurred in 539 BC at the hands of the Medo-Persians, who came from the east. According to the Cyrus Cylinder, Babylon was conquered without a fight and ancient historians tell us that the Persians diverted the river and entered Babylon via the dry riverbed – taking the city by surprise. Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon provided deliverance for God’s people and the eventual return to their homeland.
Isaiah 44:24-45:1 - Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone, causing the omens of boasters to fail, making fools out of diviners, causing wise men to draw back, and turning their knowledge into foolishness, confirming the word of His servant, and performing the purpose of His messengers. It is I who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited!' And of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built.' I will raise up her ruins again. It is I who says to the depth of the sea, 'Be dried up!' And I will make your rivers dry. It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'…. Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, whom I have taken by the right hand, to subdue nations before him, and to loose the loins of kings; to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:
Just like the drying up of the literal waters of the Euphrates prepared the way for Cyrus to conquer Babylon, so the drying up of the Spiritual Euphrates prepares the way for the coming of the King of the east – Christ
Revelation 19:11-16 - I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Now John sees 3 demons, who look like frogs, coming out of the mouths of the Satanic Trinity (the Dragon, sea beast and earth beast/false prophet). Just like the 3 angels of Rev. 14 are the mouth pieces of God, so the 3 frogs are the mouth pieces of Satan. Their goal is to gather the kings of the earth for the final great battle and they accomplish their goal through deception and persuasion.
This reminds us of the frog plague (#2) in Egypt. It was the last plague the Egyptian Magicians were able to duplicate. This deception influenced Pharaoh to persist in his opposition to God (Ex. 8:1-15).
Before the conclusion of the 6th Plague, John hears an appeal from Heaven:
"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Echoing the words of Peter:
2 Peter 3:9-14 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
In other words, Christ is urging his people to be remain spiritually alert. Don’t be caught off guard. Don’t be a sleeping virgin.
The activity of the 3 frog demons is successful beyond all expectations. Even though the nations have turned against the Satanic Trinity, they, never-the-less, believe the lie that accompanies the deceptive miracles and submit their power to Satan. The world powers gather at the place which in Hebrew is called Armageddon meaning, “the Mountain of Megiddo.”
Once again, John uses familiar language from Israel’s history to depict the final conflict between Christ and Satan.
Megiddo was a fortress-city, located at the foot of the Carmel Mountain range. It stood on the great highway between Egypt and Damascus, making it a key strategic site. In ancient times Megiddo witnessed many famous battles including:
o Barak and Deborah vs. Sisera (Judges 5:19-21)
o Gideon vs. the Midianites (Judges 6:33)
o Saul vs. the Philistines (1 Sam. 31)
o Josiah vs. Pharaoh Neco (2 Kings 23:29-30)
The most famous battle, however, occurred on “The Mountain of Megiddo” – Mount Carmel. Unlike the physical battles centered around Megiddo, the Mount Carmel Battle was a spiritual battle, waged between Elijah (backed by God) and the prophets of Baal (450) and Asherah (400) (backed by Satan – see 1Kings 18). Just like Elijah, who was out numbered 850 to 1, God’s end-time army of 144,000 will be outnumbered by the massive Satanic army of 200 million (9:16).
Armageddon is not a military battle fought in Palestine or anywhere else in the Middle East. It is a Spiritual Battle between Christ and His followers and Satan and his followers. The issue to be resolved is the same as on Mount Carmel ---- Who is worthy of our worship? Who is worthy of our loyalty?
1 Kings 18:21 - Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing.
The 6 Last Plagues reveal the hardness of the hearts of those who have rejected God and sided with Satan. As severe as the Last Plagues are, they do not move the wicked to repentance. Instead, they are moved to a greater hatred of God and his people and their loyalty remains with the power that has failed them.
Revelation 16:12-16 does not describe the battle, just the gathering of the religious and political powers that are opposed to God. The actual battle is described in Revelation 16:17-19:21. The battle will conclude with the complete defeat of the Satanic Trinity and its army.
