Revelation 16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 16

In this chapter we have an account of the pouring forth of these vials that were filled with the wrath of God. They were poured out upon the whole antichristian empire, and on every thing appertaining to it. I. Upon the earth, Rev. 16:2. II. Upon the sea, Rev. 16:3. III. Upon the rivers and fountains of water, Rev. 16:4. Here the heavenly hosts proclaim and applaud the righteousness of the judgments of God. IV. The fourth vial was poured out on the sun, Rev. 16:8. V. The fifth on the seat of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 16:1-7

We had in the foregoing chapter the great and solemn preparation that was made for the pouring out of the vials; now we have the performance of that work. Here observe, I. That, though every thing was made ready before, yet nothing was to be put in execution without an immediate positive order from God; and this he gave out of the temple, answering the prayers of his people, and avenging their quarrel. II. No sooner was the word of command given than it was immediately obeyed; no delay, no... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 16:8-11

In these verses we see the work going on in the appointed order. The fourth angel poured out his vial, and that fell upon the sun; that is, say some, upon some eminent prince of the popish communion, who should renounce their false religion a little while before his utter downfall; and some expect it will be the German emperor. And now what will be the consequence of this? That sun which before cherished them with warm and benign influences shall now grow hot against these idolaters, and shall... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 16:12-16

The sixth angel poured out his vial; and observe, I. Where it fell?upon the great river Euphrates. Some take it literally, for the place where the Turkish power and empire began; and they think this is a prophecy of the destruction of the Turkish monarchy and of idolatry, which they suppose will be effected about the same time with that of the papacy, as another antichrist, and that thereby a way shall be made for the conveniency of the Jews, those princes of the east. Others take it for the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 16:17-21

Here we have an account of the seventh and last angel pouring forth his vial, contributing his part towards the accomplishment of the downfall of Babylon, which was the finishing stroke. And here, as before, observe, I. Where this plague fell?on the air, upon the prince of the power of the air, that is, the devil. His powers were restrained, his policies confounded; he was bound in God's chain: the sword of God was upon his eye and upon his arm; for he, as well as the powers of the earth, is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 16:1-21

It will be better to read through the whole chapter before we study it in detail, 16:1-21 1 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying to the seven angels: Go, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God 2 upon the earth. The first angel went away and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and there came an outbreak of evil and malignant ulcerous sores on the men who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped his image. 3 The second poured out his bowl upon the sea; and it became... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 16 This chapter gives an account of the pouring out of the seven vials by the angels; their orders for it are in Revelation 16:1 . The first angel pours out his vial on the earth, the effect of which is a noisome and grievous sore upon the followers of antichrist, and the worshippers of his image, Revelation 16:2 . The second pours out his upon the sea; the events of it are, the sea became blood, and every living creature in it died, Revelation 16:3 . The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:1

And I heard a great voice out of the temple ,.... The church, which in the preceding chapter is said to be opened; this was either the voice of God, whose temple the church is, and where he dwells, and who, has power over these plagues, Revelation 16:9 and who, when he is about to bring judgments on the earth, is said to roar out of Zion, Revelation 16:16 or of Christ, who is always in the midst of his church and people, and whose voice is as the voice of many waters; see Revelation... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:2

And the first went ,.... The Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, "the first angel", and who undoubtedly is meant, who readily and cheerfully obeyed the orders given him, as did the rest; by this angel cannot be meant Pope Adrian, as Lyra, a Popish interpreter, imagines; for a pope would never hurt the worshippers of the beast, as this angel does; rather some Christian Protestant prince or magistrate is designed, and Brightman applies it to Queen Elizabeth; though a set of kings and princes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:3

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea ,.... Not literally; and so does not design the stagnation of it, which it is thought will be before the general conflagration; see Amos 7:4 nor is it to be understood of the sea of this world, and the men of it, who are like a troubled sea; but rather of Popish doctrines and councils, which are a sea of errors, and will now be confuted and put an end to. Brightman applies it to the council of Trent, and makes this angel to be... read more

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