Revelation 16

Revelation 16:8

The pouring forth of the four last vials, and the produce; with the incorrigible obstinacy of the this vengeance is executed. Rev. XVI. 8, to

REVELATION XVI. 8.

AND the three former angels having thus poured forth their vials on the earth, and sea, and the rivers of water, the fourth angel poured forth his vial on the sun; and, in consequence of that, an extraordinary power was given to it, to scorch men with an intolerable heat, so that they seemed, as it were, to live in the very fire itself. And men were scorched with sudden calentures, and with great and unsufferable fierceness of heat; and yet, instead of giving glory to the great Author of these awful chastisements, which afforded them so lively an idea of everlasting burnings, as if they had already been inhabitants of the world of despair, they blasphemed the name of God, who had power over these plagues. And the continuance of their torments did not subdue their hearts, but they still persisted, as with a diabolical obstinacy, and repented not, to give glory to him, by a confession of their sins, by seeking his mercy, and returning to his obedience. (Compare Isa. xxiv. 6.)

And as these vials had greatly affected the kingdom of the beast, the next came still nearer

a Fourth angel poured forth his vial on the sun] Some interpret this of the quarrel between the popes and emperors, in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. See Mr. Pyle in loc. Mr. Lowman, with greater probability, refers it to the long and bloody wars in Italy, France, Germany, and Spain, occasioned by a schism in the papacy, (from A. D. 1578, to A. D. 1539;) there being three popes, in three lines of succession, at the same time. During this period the Turks took Constantinople, and put an end to the eastern empire. And some suppose there is a further reference to hot and burning seasons which should destroy the fruits

of the earth, and occasion pestilential disorders; and historians inform us, that this was the case in the time supposed to be here referred to; particularly by means of the sweating sickness, which began in England, and spread wide into other countries, particularly Germany, A. D. 1517; and again A. D. 1529. But that they repented not, (ver. 9,) is evident from the war commenced against the Bohemians; the infamous conduct of the council of Constance, in burning John Huss, and Jerom of Prague, in violation of the public faith, and establishing that scandalous doctrine, that faith is not to be kept with heretics, &c. &c.

The fifth angel on the seat of the beast.

to him ; for, the fifth angel poured forth his vial upon the throne of the beast itself;ᵇ and his kingdom was darkened, so that his unhappy subjects, from whom he had so long veiled the light of God’s word, and of his favour, had not the benefit of the solar rays, either to guide or cheer them. (Compare Ezek. xxxii. 8.) And yet at the same time, the secret fire kindled in their veins by the former scorching heat continued ; and they gnawed their tongues for the extremity of the pain and anguish which they felt ; And they still blasphemed the great God, the tremendous Majesty of heaven, as well as earth, for their pains and their ulcers, which the scorching heat had excited ; and they repented not of their wicked works, whereby they had awakened his just indignation.

And the sixth angel poured forth his vial upon the great river Euphrates;ᶜ and its water, wide and rapid as the stream had been, was dried up immediately, that a way might be prepared or the march of the kings from the rising of the sun, who appeared in vision as coming to the borders of it, with all their armies, to pour forth destruction upon the beast and his kingdom.

ᵇ Fifth vial.] Mr Pyle interprets this of the perplexity occasioned to the See of Rome, by removing the seat of it to Avignon, and the schism between the popes. But this prophecy seems to refer to a later period. Mr. Lowman’s interpretation is more probable, who refers it to the protestant reformation, and the confirmation of it by the principal states of Europe, notwithstanding all the attempts of the pope, and in opposition to the papal authority : from A. D. 1560, to A. D. 1650. During his period, several nations renounced subjection to the pope, and have continued free to this day ; and, in other nations, his power has been greatly abridged and restrained. This event gave great vexation to the popes, and their adherents ; occasioned invasions, assassinations, massacres, and loody wars ; as the civil wars in France, he was in Germany about the reformation, he war between Spain and the united provinces, the Spanish invasion of England, and the powder plot ; the massacre of Paris, &c. Yet all proved unsuccessful to prevent the establishment of the re-

formed religion. And that they repented not of their deeds, (ver. 11,) is evident from the instances of their rage and cruelty already mentioned, and which they take care to repeat whenever they have power, and especially from the edicts of the council of Trent, (from A. D. 1542, to A. D. 1562,) which, instead of diminishing or relaxing, increased and confirmed the corruptions of popery, and condemned all doctrines tending to reformation.

ᶜ River Euphrates ] It appears to me, that this implies the invasion of the papal kingdom from the east ; but, as I believe the vision not yet accomplished, I freely confess, that it is involved in those cloud and darkness, which I am not able to penetrate. Mr. Pyle explains it of the conquest of the eastern Christians, by the growing power of the Ottoman house, and the contempt of popery in some parts of the west. But this part of the prophecy seems to refer to an event much later ; and, like the rest, to denote some judgment on the papal kingdom, to happen, probably, between A. D. 1700, and A. D. 1900.

And three demons gather the kings of the earth to battle:

And, as I saw the dragon standing in my presence, with the beast and the false prophet near him, as the great abettors of his kingdom, which was threatened by this invasion, I had an intimation given me of the various efforts they should make for the preservation of it: [and] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, [there came] evidently three animals, which expressed unclean spirits, being represented by creatures like frogs: For these are the spirits of demons, whose design it is to impose upon mankind by the most artful stratagems, and pretences of working miracles, by which they attempted to support the kingdom they had raised: and indeed, it seemed they did even enchant whole nations; for they were permitted by God, to go forth to the kings of that part of the earth where the seat of the beast was; and, indeed, his territory was so extensive, that it might be said, they went through the whole world; and they operated so powerfully, as to bring them together, to the battle of that great day of God the Almighty, in which he was secretly determined to pour forth his vengeance upon them. And, as this last effort of this infernal agent would be a signal trial of the faith and constancy of the saints, in order the better to fortify them against it, I heard a voice which I understood to be that of our Lord Jesus Christ, saying, Behold, I come suddenly and unexpectedly, as a thief, that surprises a sleeping family: blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, that they may not suddenly be snatched from him, and he may not be forced to walk naked, so that men should see his shame. Let my servants, therefore, guard against these sudden

A False prophet ] As the false prophet is here joined with the beast, and also in hap. xix 20, and there said to work miracles before the beast, he seems to be the same mentioned chap. xiii. 11, 12, but here described as another beast, and said to do great miracles in the sight of the beast. See sect. xvi. notes h, i.

b Keepeth his garments ] Dr. Lightfoot thinks here is an allusion to what that Jewish officer called the man of the mountain, that is, of the house of the Lord, used to do, when taking his round in the temple to examine the watch; if he met with any asleep, he had a liberty to set fire to his garments. Perhaps, in this case, the person might be obliged to appear in the fragments of his burnt garments the next day, which would be a great disgrace. See his Works, Vol. I. p. 919. According to Ainsworth, (on Numb. xviii. 4, 5.) they were beaten by the provost, and their garments were taken away and burnt.

enth angel poured forth his vial into the air.

urprises, which during this time of danger and alarm may frequently happen. And the army appearing against the saints, as was observed above, He, that is, God, by the secret conduct of his Providence, so disposed things, that he authored them together into a certain place, [which is] called in the Hebrew language, Armageddon, or the mountain of Megiddo, because it was to be a place more remarkable for slaughter than Megiddo had ever been.

And when they were there assembled, the seventh angel poured forth his vial into the air; and there came forth a great voice from the temple of heaven, even from the very throne of God himself, saying, “It is now done, the great work is just completing.” And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was also together with them a great earthquake, to add new horror to the scene, such as there had not been from the time that men were upon the earth; even such, and so great an earthquake, quite unequalled in history or observation. And the great city was immediately divided into three parts, and the cities of the Gentiles fell down. And thus it appeared, that Babylon the great came into remembrance before God, to give her the long threatened cup of the wine of his fiercest wrath, in which all the most dreadful ingredients of vengeance were, as it were, mingled together, like poignant poison in the strongest wine, to give it the greater power and efficacy. And the whole face of nature was thrown into such a consternation by means of this grand event, that every island fled away, and the mountains were found no more. And a great and violent storm of hail, the stones of which were as of the weight of a talent, descended from heaven upon men, so as to dash in pieces the stoutest heroes, how well soever

He gathered them.] This seems a memorable circumstance; they were the dragon’s army, yet God assembled them. Such oblique intimations of the interposition of Providence, are wonderfully instructive, and they are scattered up and down in many places of the sacred writings.

That Megiddo had been a place remarkable for slaughter, See Judges v. 19; 2 Kin. ix. 27; 2 Chron. xxxv. 22. Compar. Zech. xii. 11. To express the certain destruction that should come upon these antichristian powers, they are described to be brought together to this mountain.

Reflections on the pouring out the four last vials.

they might be armed and defended. And men, and men blasphemxi. instead of being reformed by it, blasphemed God ed God because of Rev. so much the more for the plague of the hail; for the plague therexvi.21. for the plague of it was very great, and brought of was exceeding along with it a very extensive ruin and desola- great. tion.

IMPROVEMENT.

WHATEVER particular events these vials might be respectively intended to represent, they all agree in giving us most 1 awful views of the Divine power and agency over the whole 8-10 universe. He is able to scorch and blast the earth with insuffer- 12 able heat, to veil it in midnight darkness, to dry up its rivers, 18 or even shake its foundations, so as to throw down, in a moment, 21 the strongest and the proudest cities. From the air he can cause even rivers of ice to descend, sufficient, not only to destroy our frail and tender bodies, but those regular fortifications which are deemed impregnable; turning them into the graves of those who seek and expect protection from them. How worthy is this tremendous Being of our homage and reverence? And yet men 9 hear of his awful judgments, and sometimes see and feel them too, and continue unreformed. Even while they are gnawing 10,11 their tongues through the extremity of pain and anguish, it is possible, that as well as their wounded tongues will give them leave, they may blaspheme the God of heaven, and utter their impotent rage and malice against him. The infernal regions resound with diabolical language: and O, that so many parts of this earth bore no resemblance to them. But let the outrage of the wicked be what it may, God, when he enters into judgment, 14 will overcome. And, though the rage of his enemies engages them to gather themselves together, the event will prove, that it 16 is only as sheep for the slaughter. And, while they are acting in this with the utmost freedom, they are indeed assembled by him, their own angry passions subserving the purposes of his righteous Providence. 15 Let us confide in his word, let us attend to his voice; and, in spite of all our difficulties and dangers, let us do our endeavour, to secure the blessedness of that man, who watcheth, and keepeth his garments; who is always on his guard against every surprise, which might expose him to shame in the presence of his Master, though he should come in ever so unexpected a manner, even like a thief in the night.

r Seventh vii.] This is introductory awful judgments, which were only introto the fall of the papal kingdom; and the ductory to the full and complete ruin afexpressions, ver. 19, may only signify, terwards described. that great numbers should fall by these

An angel shews St. John the judgment of the great harlot. 473