Revelation 16

In this chapter is represented the pouring out of the seven vials of God’s destructive vengeance upon antichrist: the first upon the earth, producing grievous sores, Revelation 16:1 , Revelation 16:2 ; the second on the sea, turning it into blood, and killing the fish, 3; the third on the rivers and fountains, rendering the waters blood, to punish the Popish persecutions and murders, Revelation 16:4-7 ; the fourth upon the sun, causing him to scorch men with his heat, Revelation 16:8 , Revelation 16:9 ; the fifth on antichrist’s seat, darkening his kingdom, and tormenting his subjects, Revelation 16:10 , Revelation 16:11 ; the sixth on the river Euphrates, followed by the ruinous battle of Armageddon, Revelation 16:12-16 ; and the seventh into the air, the seat of Satan’s power, issuing in the universal and complete destruction of all antichristian enemies and opposition, Revelation 16:17-21 .

This chapter contains the judgments themselves, signified by the seven vials full of the wrath of God; and gives us a prophetic representation of each of them in their order, being an exact description of the greater and more eminent judgments of God on the inhabitants of the earth for their enmity to true religion, and persecution of the saints during this third and last period; and especially on the Papacy and its dominions, or the antichristian kingdom. For, as the events comprehended under the trumpets raised antichrist up, those that occurred under the vials must bring him down. And, as he began to be brought down in a particular manner at the first rise of the Reformation, and his power has declined more and more ever since; insomuch that the Protestant religion is now established in many of the countries of Europe, and in the United States of America, why may we not suppose that the vials, which are the appointed instruments of effecting this happy change, began to be poured out at that time? This view of the vials was given by Mr. Robert Fleming, in his “Apocalyptical Key,” entitled, “An extraordinary Discourse on the Rise and Fall of Papacy; or the Pouring out of the Vials in the Revelation of St. John, chap. 16., containing Predictions respecting the Revolutions of France; the Fate of its Monarch; the Decline of the Papal Power: together with the Fate of the surrounding Nations; the Destruction of Mohammedanism; the Calling in of the Jews; the Restoration and Consummation of all Things,” &c., &c., published in the year 1701; some particulars of which have been remarkably verified by the events which have since taken place. Of his scheme of interpretation, which is not here maintained to be, in all respects, the true one, but which certainly carries with it, in several points, some striking marks of probability, the substance is given below.