Revelation 16:12-16, “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies westward without hindrance. 13And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. 14These miracle-working demons caused all the rulers of the world to gather for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God Almighty. 15"Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed." 16And they gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew.”
Unlike the precious five bowls, the sixth, like the fifth seal (6:9-11), has no specific assault on humanity but prepares for what is to come. There is also parrell between the sixth trumpet and the sixth bowl. When the sixth trumpet sounded, four angels bound at the Euphrates were released to lead a vast army of grotesque horses to the slaughter of one-third of the world’s population (9:13-19). The Euphrates marks the eastern boundary of the land given by covenant to Abraham and his seed (Genesis 15:18; Deut 1:7-8; Josh 1:3-4). Yet is also separated the Roman Empire on the east from the much feared Parthians who were expert calvary bowmen and had conquered the entire territory from the Euphrates to the Indus. It is frequently pointed out that in the OT God’s redemptive acts were often associated with the drying up of water. The Exodus (Exod 14:21) and the entrance into Canaan (Josh 3:14-17) are the two major examples. In this case it is the enemy through the drying up of the Euphrates is then allowed to advance for war.
Mounce points out, “It is unlikely that John is alluding to the famous capture of Babylon by Cyrus the Persian, but the incident is relevant. Herodotus tells us that Cyrus, finding the city seemingly impregnable, temporarily diverted the Euphrates, which ran through the center of Babylon, leaving open the riverbed, through which his armies entered and captured the city.”
Walvoord points out that there are as many as fifty different interpretations have been advanced in relation to the intreptation of who the kings from the east are (The Revelation of Jesus Christ p.236). The historical context of John’s imagery favors the interpretation of the kings as Parthian rulers. The tradition states that Nero, although dying by his own hand would return from the East leading a great army of Parthian warriors is preserved in Siblline Oracles (4:115-39). The confusion lays as to where this tradition is partially intertwined in Revelation with an older tradition that portrayed a final assault on the people of God by the united kings of the earth (Joel 3:2; Zeph 3:8) The kings of the East (vs.12) will lay siege to Babylon (17:15-18_ and chapters 18) are distinct from the kings of the whole world (v.14) who will wage the final war against Christ and the armies of heaven (19:11-21). Yet we will not here be getting into the relation to Gog and Armageddon till we arrive at 20:7-10.
As we have seen the Euphrates in Revelation with the sixth trumpet judgment yet also the Euphrates is the most significant river in the Middle East. The Euphrates deserves to be called the great river (9:14; Gen 15:18; Deut 1:7; Josh 1:4). Its source is in the snowfields and ice caps on the slops of Mount Ararat (located in modern Turkey), from which it flows some eighteen hundred miles before emptying into the Persian Gulf. In ancient times the Garden of Eden was located in the vicinity of the Euphrates (Gen 2:10-14). The Euphrates along with the Tigris are still the lifeblood of the Fertile Crescent.
The blazing heat from the fourth bowl will met the snow and icecaps on Mount Ararat that will vastly increase the volume of water in the Euphrates, causing more than likely massive flooding and damage along the course of its banks. Then here the cause of the sixth bowl is revealed in Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies westward without hindrance. The armies of the East will need to cross this river in order to reach the ultimate destination-Armageddon in the land of Palestine.
This should not be seen as an act of kindness but one of judgment. It may seem nice and orderly for the reader reading this, but in fact it is not, for God’s judgment will fall upon the battle and the Lord Jesus by the mere act of His words will provide the means by which the battle will then be won, so then we should then see that this bowl is not an act of mercy, but a deadly trap. The evaporation of the Euphrates will also lead them to their doom, just as the parting of the Red Sea lead to the destruction of the Egyptian army.
Verses 13 through 16 should not be seen as interlude between the sixth and seven bowl judgments but as similar between the structure between the sixth and seventh seals (chapter. 7) and the sixth and seven trumpets (10:1-11:14). The problem with this is that it would then limit the sixth bowl to vs.12 and depart from John’s custom of making the fifth and six plagues in each series considerably longer than the first four. Then what is best to see verses 13-16 as a topical expansion of vs.12 (with v.15 serving as a summons to readiness). The drying up of the Euphrates may then suggest v.13 in relation to the frogs, and remind anyone familiar with the OT of the second Egyptian plague (Exodus 8:1-15).
Revelation 16:13b,And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.”
It is easy to label the dragon as Satan (12:9) and the beast is the false coming out of the sea as described in chapter 13. This is the first mention in Revelation specifically to the false prophet directy although indirectly mentioned in Revelation 13:11-17. Bratcher and Hatton comment, “From this point on the second beast is called the false prophet. This defines his role as the spokesman of the first beast, with the task of misleading people with his message.” That these frogs leap from the mouth of the dragon, the baste and the false prophet suggests that they come as a package deal with the message and propaganda of the unholy trinity. From the mouth then would suggest the source of influence of each member of the unholy trinity which would then seemingly resemble a frog.
Frogs are unclean animals (Lev 11:10,41) but these are not literal frogs as used in the plague in Egypt (Ex 8:5; Ps 48:45). Shick points out, “Lev 11:10 classifies the frog (“anything in the seas or the rivers that has not fins and scales”) as an unclean animal. In the religion of the Persians who dwelt east of the Euphrates [“the kings of the east”] frogs were considered to be the instrument of Ahriman, the god of darkness.”
Revelation 16:14, “These miracle-working demons caused all the rulers of the world to gather for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God Almighty.”
This graphic revolting illustration then points us to the fact f the vileness of these demons who seduce the kings from the east into making the difficult journey to their doom at the gathering of Armageddon under their deluding influence (1 Kings 22:19-22).
It is to be expected that these demons will perform supernatural signs for earlier in the Tribulation, the false prophet performed “great signs”, even making fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men” (13:13). As a result of this, he was able to deceive “those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast” (13:13). He was even able to then persuade “those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life” (13:14). These unclean demons will work lying wonders to deceive the kings of the east.
Mounce reminds us, “The activity of the deceptive and demonic spirits reminds us of the living spirit who through the mouth of Ahab’s prophets would entice the profligate king into battle (1 Kings 22:19-23).” Jesus warned that in the last days false prophets would arise and by signs and wonders lead many astray (Matthew 24:24). Paul wrote of the lawless one whose appearance would be with “all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” and with “evil’s undiluted power to deceive” (2 Thess 2:10).” This will be a day that God will deal with the ungodly nations of the world. Israel believed that in the last days her enemies would gather to war against her (Ezek 38-39; Zech 14; 1 Enoch 56:5-8; 89:13-19), but God would then intervene and bring victory. Joel foretold a great and terrible day of the Lord (Joel 2:11) when God would then gather the nations into the valley of Jehosphaphat and execute judgment upon them (Joel 3:2). Yet the great description by John goes beyond nationalistic expectations, for it is nothing less than the climax of all human history, when in the words of the twenty four elders, God the Almighty takes up his great power and enters into his reign (11:17).
Joel prophesied of this time in Joel 3:2, 9-13, “2"I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat.[1] There I will judge them for harming my people, for scattering my inheritance among the nations, and for dividing up my land. 9Say to the nations far and wide: "Get ready for war! Call out your best warriors! Let all your fighting men advance for the attack! 10Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors. 11Come quickly, all you nations everywhere! Gather together in the valley."And now, O LORD, call out your warriors!12"Let the nations be called to arms. Let them march to the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I, the LORD, will sit to pronounce judgment on them all. 13Now let the sickle do its work, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread the winepress because it is full. The storage vats are overflowing with the wickedness of these people."
Zechariah also wrote of that time, in Zechariah 14:2-3, “2On that day I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses plundered, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken away into captivity, and half will be left among the ruins of the city.3Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past.”
The Psalmist also wrote of this time in Psalm 2:1-3, “1
Why do the nations rage?
Why do the people waste their time with futile plans?
2
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the LORD
and against his anointed one.
3
"Let us break their chains," they cry,
"and free ourselves from this slavery."
Before we go into the remaining verses we need to examine and take a look into where the Battle of Armageddon really will be. Revelation 16: 14These miracle-working demons caused all the rulers of the world to gather for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God Almighty. 15"Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed." 16And they gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew.”
I cannot stress this enough to take notice of the fact that these demon caused all the rulers of the world to gather for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God Almighty, and they gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew.” The Great judgment day of God Almighty is just another reference in Scripture to the day of the Lord. Scripture employs several different ways of describing the day of the Lord using such titles as “the day of the Lord”, “the day of Christ Jesus,” “the day of Christ,” “the day of God,” even “that day” or “the day.” In Zechariah 12:8-13:1 it is used of that day God will destroy the nations that attack Jerusalem. This is one of several passages that we can clearly then see that indicate that the final battle will be at Jerusalem, not Armageddon. Zechariah 12:8-13:1 says, “8On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem; the weakest among them will be as mighty as King David! And the royal descendants will be like God, like the angel of the LORD who goes before them! 9For my plan is to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.10"Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on all the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died. 11The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the grievous mourning of Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.12"All Israel will weep in profound sorrow, each family by itself, with the husbands and wives in separate groups. The family of David will mourn, along with the family of Nathan, 13the family of Levi, and the family of Shimei. 14Each of the surviving families from Judah will mourn separately, husbands and wives apart.”
Isaiah also prophesied of “that day” when the Lord will come down from heaven and battle supernaturally on Mount Zion in Jerusalem with “a sword not of mortals.” Isaiah 31:4-9 says, “4But the LORD has told me this: "When a lion, even a young one, kills a sheep, it pays no attention to the shepherd’s shouts and noise. It just goes right on eating. In the same way, the LORD Almighty will come and fight on Mount Zion. He will not be frightened away! 5The LORD Almighty will hover over Jerusalem as a bird hovers around its nest. He will defend and save the city; he will pass over it and rescue it." 6Therefore, my people, though you are such wicked rebels, come and return to the LORD. 7I know the glorious day will come when every one of you will throw away the gold idols and silver images that your sinful hands have made.8"The Assyrians will be destroyed, but not by the swords of men. The sword of God will strike them, and they will panic and flee. The strong young Assyrians will be taken away as captives. 9Even their generals will quake with terror and flee when they see the battle flags," says the LORD, whose flame burns brightly in Jerusalem.”
Joel also speaks of that day when He will gather all the nations at Armageddon and bring them down to the final battle at the Valley of Jehosphaphat. The valley of Jehosphaphat is the valley located between the Mount of Olives and the Mount Zion or the Temple Mount. It is immediately easy of Jerusalem and today is called the Kidron valley. Joel 2:30-3:2 point out, “30"I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth--blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives. 32And anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. There will be people on Mount Zion in Jerusalem who escape, just as the LORD has said. These will be among the survivors whom the LORD has called. "At that time, when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem," says the LORD, 2"I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat.[1] There I will judge them for harming my people, for scattering my inheritance among the nations, and for dividing up my land.”
It is impossible then to see that the battle of Armageddon will actually be at Armageddon however that it will be located only as a gathering place for the real battle of Armageddon will occur in the Valley of Jehoshaphat as we examined previously. Yet this battle or war will be over quickly “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is the Lord of lords and King of Kings (17:14). It will not be really a war but a slaughter as Revelation 19:11-21 portrays for us.
Revelation 16:15"Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed."
In the midst of the greatest judgment the world has ever known the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself will interject Himself into to give a word before the pouring out of the seventh bowl to assure believers that they are not totally forgotten in the process of this judgment. This has previous usage in Scripture for in Malachi whether the prophet addressed words of comfort from God to the righteous who were frightened by the approach of the horrible Day of the Lord: “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. ‘They will be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him’” (Mal 3:16-17).
God told them not to be afraid because they are His own, and He never forgets His own. There were similar respites to encourage God’s people between the sixth and seventh seals (7:1-17) and between the sixth and seventh trumpets as well (10:1-11:14). Because the bowl judgments take place in a short period of time, the respite between the sixth and the seventh bowls is very brief.
The word of comfort from the Lord Jesus (22:7, 12,20), begins with, “note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! “ The Lord Jesus then reminds us that as a thief comes to steal, Jesus will come just as quickly if we are not prepared. Unlike a thief however, Jesus will come for those who not ready. Earlier in Revelation Jesus warned the church in Sardis, “If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you” (3:3). In the Olivet discourse He added, “Therefore be on alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into” (Matthew 24:42-43). The Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonians that “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1 Thess 5:2), a truth that Peter affirmed (2 Peter 3:10). Jesus sudden unexpected return will bring dismay to His enemies, but hope to those who have faith in the Messiah.
So then the Lord gave the third of seven beatitudes (blessings or benedictions) in Revelation (1:3); 14:13; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14): “Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed.” Mounce points out that, “The kind of spiritual preparedness that Christ requires is the discernment that cuts through the deceptive propaganda of Stan and his henchmen (13:13-15).” This also describes those whom God has “clothed…. With garments of salvation” and “wrapped…. With a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:100, who have “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), will be ready when the time of judgment comes. John also affirms this truth in 1 John 2:28, “Now, little children, abide in Him so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” Those who are found ready and prepared will be those whom are blessed.
Revelation 16:16, “16And they gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew.”
Today we have already established that this battle will not occur at Armageddon but the valley of Jehosphaphat which is in the valley located between the Mount of Olives and the Mount Zion or the Temple Mount. It is immediately easy of Jerusalem and today is called the Kidron valley. Armageddon can also refer to Ha-Magedon which is a Hebrew word meaning “Mount Megiddo.” There is a problem with this though since there is no mountain by that name around that area, and Har can refer to hill country, so it is possible that it could be a reference to the hill country surrounding the plain of Megiddo, which is some sixty miles north of Jerusalem. More than two hundred battles have been fought in this location.
Barak’s defeat of the Canaanites (Judges 4-5; Judges 5:19, Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (Judges 7; 6:33; the valley of Jezreel is another name for the plain of Esdraelon), and Josiah’s defeat at the hands of Pharaoh Neco (2 Chron 35:22). The point for the Battle of Armageddon, which will rage the entire length of Israel as far south as the Edomite city of Bozrah (Isa 63:1). Other battles will also occur in the vicinity of Jerusalem (Zech 14:1-3).
Yet this battle will be over before it even begins as the Lord Jesus returns to rescue His people (Zech 14:1-3; Joel 3:16) and defeat His enemies. The resulting slaughter of the world’s armies then will be unimaginable with blood splattered several feet high and perhaps running into steams through a distance of 200 miles (14:20). The sixth bowl then sets the final stage, but before the brief “battle,” the seventh and final plague will hit.
Pastor Jenkins
