Revelation 16:17-18

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 16:17

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air ,.... Or "upon the air", as the Alexandrian copy, Syriac and Arabic versions, read; by which is meant the kingdom of Satan, he being the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2 not that he has power over the air, to raise or lay winds and storms in it at pleasure; but he is so called because he is the prince of that posse of devils, the principalities and powers of darkness, that have their dwelling in the air; hence the air,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:18

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings ,.... As at the giving of the law, Exodus 19:16 and at the sounding of the seventh trumpet; see Gill on Revelation 11:15 and may intend either the pure ministry of the Gospel in the spiritual reign, the voices of Christ's ministers, and the effects of them, who will be "Boanergeses", sons of thunder, and will be the means of enlightening the minds of many, as well as of shaking the consciences of men, signified by the earthquake... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:17

Poured out his vial into the air - To signify that this plague was to be widely diffused, and perhaps to intimate that pestilences and various deaths would be the effect of this vial. But possibly air in this place may have some emblematical meaning. It is done - It is said, Revelation 10:7 , that in the days of the seventh trumpet the mystery of God should be finished; so here we find it completed. Γεγονε· All's over! Fuimus Troes! Ilium fuit! Once there were Trojans, and they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:18

A great earthquake - Most terrible commotions, both civil and religious. Or a convulsion, shaking, or revolution. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:1-21

Trumpets. 1. Hail, fire, and blood cast upon THE EARTH ; one third trees, etc., burnt. 2. One third of SEA made blood; one third of creatures therein and of ships destroyed. 3. One third of the RIVERS made bitter; many men destroyed. 4. One third of the SUN , etc. smitten; one third of the day darkened. 5. Star from heaven falls into the ABYSS ; he sends forth locusts; men seek death; Hebrew name of their king is Abaddon. 6. Armies from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:1-21

"The seven vials:" predestined suffering in the government of the world. "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went," etc. "It is incredible," says Bishop Horsley, "to any one who has not made the experiment, what proficiency may be made by studying the Scriptures without any other commentary or exposition than what the different parts of the sacred volume naturally... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:17

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air. Omit "angel" as before. Upon the air; perhaps as the typical abode of the spirits of evil (cf. Ephesians 2:2 , "the prince of the power of the air"); the seat also, so to speak, of the thunders and lightnings which follow. And there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. There are slight variations in the text here. The best authorities omit "of heaven." One manuscript, א , instead... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:17-21

The seventh bowl. The precise identification of "Babylon the great" must be reserved for our study of the next chapter; the paragraph before us shows us what a downfall is awaiting her. For the present it is enough to remember that it is some vast power of the earth, earthy, whose influence and action have been against righteousness and peace. Under the sixth bowl we witnessed the gathering together of great hosts for a final conflict. Now that last conflict is decided. Man has summoned... read more

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