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Revelation (16:12-21) God Intervenes Part 7

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John Fok

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Nov 12, 1997, 3:00:00 AM11/12/97

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Revelation (16:12-21) God Intervenes Part 7

Hello,

The same passage can be found at:
http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/Revelation/9GodIntervenes.htm

8.6 The Sixth Bowl: The Euphrates Dried (16:12-16)

In verse 12 the bowl is poured and we are told of its purpose; it prepares
the way for the kings of the east. Then in verses 13-16 we are given a
commentary on this judgment. First, there is divine activity followed up by
increased demonic activity (vss. 12-14a). Then there is the effect of this
on human activity (vs. 14); and finally again, divine activity (vss. 15-16).

8.6.1 The object of the bowl (16:12a)

"The great river, the River Euphrates." Literally the Greek says "the river,
the great one, Euphrates." This word order and the word "great" stresses the
prominence of this river. This is the largest river in western Asia and has
figured largely in history and prophecy. The following are a number of
important facts about this great river.

1.. It formed the Eastern boundary of ancient Rome and its conquests.
2.. It forms the Eastern boundary of the land as promised to Abraham
(cf. Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 1:7; 11:24; Joshua 1:4)
3.. For a brief season David and Solomon extended their authority to the
Euphrates (I Kings 4:21; 1 Chronicles 18:3; 2 Chronicles 9:26).
4.. The river is 1,800 miles long and has always stood as a natural
barrier separating the east from the west.
5.. The river forms in Armenia and 1,800 miles later empties into the
Persian Gulf. About 90 miles from the Persian Gulf it is joined by the
Tigris.
8.6.2 The purpose of this bowl (16:12b)

"And its water was dried up that the way might be prepared for the kings of
the east." Isaiah 11:15b and Zechariah 10:11 are similar prophecies of the
drying up of this river. The purpose? To facilitate the movements of the
troops of the oriental kings or the eastern confederacy for the final Battle
of Armageddon.

"The kings from the east" is literally "the kings from the rising sun." This
is a poetical expression signifying the kings from where the sun rises, as
China, Japan, India, Persia, and Afghanistan. So here we see God's divine
activity; God acting in His sovereignty using the wrath and rebellion of
Satan and man to carry out his own purposes. Knowing the mind of Satan and
man, the Lord will dry up this natural barrier to an invasion of the land of
Palestine.

8.6.3 The demonic activity (16:13-14a)

It is God's purpose to deal with the nations in judgment in the land of
Palestine. Knowing Satan's purpose and objectives, God will use him and his
demonic activity to inspire the nations to move into Palestine.

The immediate source of this activity, acting on their own objectives, is
the trinity from hell--the Dragon or Satan, the beast (the dictator of the
revived Roman Empire in its final form), and the false prophet who works
miracles on behalf of the first beast (Revelation 12:3, 9, 13).

The appearance of these unclean spirits resembles that of "frogs." The
Levitical standards declared frogs to be unclean animals and an abomination
to God's people (Leviticus 11:10-11, 41). Frogs recall the second Egyptian
plague (Exodus 8:5; Psalms 78:45; 105:30).

The means of accomplishing this are three demonic spirits who proceed from
the trinity to go out into the nations working miraculous signs. This will
somehow will be used to act on the minds of the kings and people of the
nations to move against Palestine. Exactly what these signs are we are not
told. But undoubtedly they somehow stir up old desires and hostilities:

1.. Strong anti-Semitism (Zechariah 14:1-3; Revelation 12:17). The Arabs
have long hated the Jews and of course in our time this has taken on
increased proportions. There appears even now growing sentiment against
Israel among much of the world. The actions of these demons will somehow
bring this to a climax at this time.

2.. Then there is the lust of the nations for control of Palestine and
its warm water seaports which would enable the one controlling Palestine to
control the oil of this part of the world (Ezekiel 38:12).

8.6.4 The divine activity (16:14b-16)

The kings of the world will be gathered together for war with one another,
but it is a war in which man is ultimately brought against God. The armies
do not know this, they think they are coming to gain control of Palestine,
but God uses this to accomplish this confluence of nations for his own
divine purposes (Joel 3:1-3; Zechariah 14:1-3) The war is called "the war of
the great day of God, the Almighty"(vs. 14) and the place it is fought is
called "Har-Magedon" (vs. 16). Modern man often refers to this conflict as
Armageddon, the final conflict that will be fought in the Valley of Megiddo.

8.6.5 An explanation of the day, time, and place

The Greek literally says, "unto the campaign (or war) of the day, the great
one, the one of God, the Almighty One."

The phrase "of God, the Almighty" is designed to emphasize that this day or
period (it covers more than one day) will fully demonstrate the omnipotence
and sovereignty of God.

The word "war" is the Greek word palemos which signifies a war, an entire
campaign and not merely one isolated conflict or battle. What is in view
here is a major war as in World War II. Here we have World War III--assuming
it is the next world war. So here is World War III which extends over the
entire last half of the Tribulation involving several phases or invasions of
Palestine and conflicts. This will finally culminate in the gathering of all
nations at the very end of the Tribulation at Har-Magedon. Ezekiel 38;
Daniel 11:40-45; Zechariah 14:1-3 and Joel 3:1-17 all describe these
military events that will culminate in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The location of the war (vs. 16) is "Har-Magedon." Concerning this place
Walvoord says:

Geographically, it relates to the Mount of Megiddo located adjacent to the
plain of Megiddo to the west and the large plain of Esdraelon to the
northeast. Megiddo is the Hebrew word corresponding to the Greek word
Armageddon. This area was the scene of many of the great battles of the Old
Testament such as that of Barak and the Canaanites in Judges 4 and the
victory of Gideon over the Midianites in Judges 7. Here also occurred the
deaths of Saul and Josiah. The area, though it is a large one, is not
sufficient for the armies of all the world, though the valley of Esdraelon
is fourteen miles wide and twenty miles long. What this Scripture seems to
indicate is that this area is the central point for the military conflict
which ensues. Actually the armies are deployed over a 200-mile area up and
down from this central location (cf. 14:20). At the time of the second
coming, some of the armies are in Jerusalem itself (Zechariah 14:1-3). (John
F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Moody Press, p. 238).

Napoleon marched across this area and remarked that all the armies of
the world could do battle here because of the broad expanse of this
territory. Of course, it isn't actually that big, but it is a very broad
expanse perfect for a very large congregation of armies.

Other areas involved are:

1.. Joel 3:2, 13 the Valley of Jehoshaphat. This refers to an area further
south and east of Jerusalem (cf. Ezekiel 39:11, the Valley of Passengers
mentioned here is the same area).

2.. Isaiah 34 and 63 picture the Lord coming from Edom and Idumea south
of Jerusalem with blood on His garments which shows part of the conflict
occurs here as well.

3.. Then as Walvoord mentions, Jerusalem is itself invaded by the armies
of the world in the final phase of this campaign. Zechariah 12:2-11; 14:2;
Daniel 11:40-45; Ezekiel 38:9-16; and Revelation 14:20 all show us this
campaign covers the entire land of Palestine).

The participants in this war are: Participating will be the king of the
north and his allies (Ezekiel 38). While there is some disagreement here,
many believe this will include Russia, Persia (modern Iraq), Ethiopia
(northern Sudan or maybe Arabia), Put (Libya and the African block), Gomer
(Germany), Beth-togarmah (Turkey), and the king of the south consisting of
Egypt and the Arab states. Then there will be the king of the west, the ten
nation confederation of the Mediterranean states of Europe. Finally, it will
include the kings of the east, the oriental block or nations east of the
Euphrates.

8.6.6 The warning to believers (16:15)

This verse is a parenthesis written to the faithful remnant of the
Tribulation to give them comfort, hope, as well as a warning lest they
become discouraged and lose their testimony. These plagues are but a proof
that the Lord's return is near. So in this verse the Lord Himself now
speaks.

He says, "Behold." This means, "stop, and think, take note"! "I am coming"
is what we call a prophetic present which views a future event as certain,
as though already in the process of occurring. Here the Lord is assuring the
Tribulation saints that His coming is certain.

"As a thief" stresses the fact that while the general time of Christ's
return in the Tribulation can be known because of the signs and specific
events of the Tribulation (like the drying up of the Euphrates), the exact
moment cannot be known (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7). Therefore, Tribulation
believers are warned to stay awake, producing righteousness for the Lord.
They are to live with a view to His return. Some would try to apply this to
the church, but though there is some similarity to 1 Thessalonians 4:13f in
the fact that Christ will come silently for believers, take what is His, and
leave the world in disarray, the primary picture of Christ's coming for the
church is that of a Bridegroom. The thief concept primarily deals with the
Tribulation or the day of wrath (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).

Thus, special blessing or happiness is promised to the believer, even in
these horrible times of the Tribulation if he follows the warnings and
exhortations of this verse. They are told to do two things:

1.. "To stay awake" The Greek word here is gregarew and is used of alertness
and fellowship with the Lord (cf. its use in 1 Thessalonians 5:6f). It
refers to one who has the right priorities and is living for the Lord and
His return. To stay awake is to stay in fellowship. This is the root aspect.

2.. "He keeps his garments" Here is the fruit, the results. Keeping his
garments refers to righteous behavior or good works which the believer wears
like a garment; it is practical living from fellowship with Christ
(Revelation 14:13; 19:8; 11:18).

"Lest he walk about naked and men see their shame" Men cannot see the
imputed righteousness which God imputes to the account of believers which
gives them a righteous standing and access to God. But they can see the
practical results of this in Christian behavior, or the fruit of the Spirit
and the Word, Christ-likeness. Otherwise what they see is empty profession
or spiritual nakedness (i.e. carnality).

Romans 13:11-14 makes a similar application to believers for our day and in
this sense the passage in Revelation 16:15 has application for us today. We
can see events which are unfolding today that could very well be preparatory
to the Tribulation--politically, spiritually, morally and in other ways.
Since the Lord returns for the church before the Tribulation, this means His
coming for us, though always imminent, must be drawing nearer every day.
This along with the nature of our future with Him should likewise motivate
us to putting on the Lord Jesus Christ that we might be fully clothed with
His life and glorious character.

8.7 The Seventh Bowl: Widespread Destruction (16:17-21)

The seventh bowl, the final judgment of the Tribulation is actually a series
of judgments that will be poured out upon the whole earth. As the
Tribulation is a time of unprecedented trial or judgment, so the seventh
bowl is the most severe and totally devastating judgment of the whole
Tribulation, ending with the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to
earth. His personal return is not mentioned in these verses or this chapter,
but from the circumstances and the sixth plague, the return of Christ has to
be a part of this judgment.

The Greek word megas is repeated seven times in these verses. This
emphasizes the unprecedented nature and finality of this series of
judgments. It also stresses how this series of judgments perfectly (the
emphasis of the number seven) accomplishes and brings to an end God's
program of judgment. Of the eleven times the Greek word megas is used in
this chapter, seven are in relation to this last bowl.

8.7.1 The great voice (16:l7)

First, note that this bowl is aimed or poured out upon the air. "Air" is the
Greek aer which refers to our atmosphere, the air we breathe. Remember,
Satan and his demon hosts have been (since chapter 12, the middle of the
Tribulation), restricted to the earth which, however, would include our
atmosphere. Also remember that according to Ephesians 2:2 Satan is called
"the prince of the power of the air" (aer). This is the domain and the base
of operation for Satan and his spirit hosts and their strategies. Further,
in modern day our atmosphere has become vitally important in military
matters over which Satan will have control. This points to a principle: This
series of judgments, though its final effect is upon the earth, is a final
judgment upon Satan and his domain or rule.

Second, as John saw this bowl poured out, a voice is heard. It is describe
as "loud" or "great." It is the voice of God, perhaps that of the Son
Himself to whom all judgment has been given (John 5:27). The voice comes
"out of the temple (naos) from the throne." This is the smoke-filled temple
into which no one was able to enter because of the absolute and undiluted
wrath of God being poured out in these seven bowls. So with the pouring of
the seventh, John hears "it is done." This is a Greek word gegonen, a
consummative perfect that refers to action as not merely ended, but which
was brought to its appropriate end and with results that continue. At this
point, God's purposes of judgment in the Tribulation will be perfectly
accomplished by this final series of divine wrath.

If you recall, there was another moment in history when our Lord made a
similar statement. When on the cross, in those final hours of darkness, he
cried out tetelesqai "it is done”or it is finished.” At this point, Christ
had borne our iniquities and His substitionary work was complete. He had
been judged for man's sin. This too was a consummative perfect emphasizing
that God's work of reconciliation was accomplished with nothing more to be
done other than for men and women to personally believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ (John 3:14-21, 36; 6:28-29).

But, as the above verses also show, if one rejects the work of God in Christ
and his judgment for our sin, then he is under the wrath of God which must
also be accomplished; first in the Tribulation and then in eternal perdition
in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). As the author of Hebrews asks us,
"how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation"?

8.7.2 The great earthquake (16:18, 20)

Verse 16:18

Before the mention of the great earthquake, John sees "flashes of lightning"
and hears "sounds and peals of thunder" (vs. 18a). As it has been throughout
the Book, this is preparatory and a warning of the extreme judgment that is
about to fall.

Then we read "and there was a great earthquake." Several things are
important here: First, this earthquake is likewise unprecedented in history.
The rhetorical device of redundancy is employed to emphasize this. "Such as"
is the Greek hoios, a special qualitative relative pronoun meaning "of such
a nature or kind." "So great" is the Greek thlikoutos, a special
demonstrative or quantitative pronoun meaning "so great, so mighty."
"Mighty" is again the Greek megas mentioned before.

Verse 16:20

Verses 19-20 then give the extent and effect of this earthquake with its
worldwide devastation. In verse 20 we are shown two results that are not
only astounding, but mind boggling.

1.. "Every island fled away," i.e., they disappeared into the ocean. Imagine
the tidal waves this will cause.
2.. "And the mountains were not found" is literally, "and mountains were
not found." The word "mountains" does not have the article which implies not
all the mountains will be removed. Perhaps as a result of the great faults
in the earth breaking open and shifting about, the mountains will break up
and fall into the cracks of the earth.
Zechariah 14:4 tells us that at Christ's return to earth the Mount of
Olives will split or crack open and form a great valley. Perhaps it is at
this point, at Christ's return to earth, that this great earthquake occurs.

This mind stretching phenomena points to three important facts:

1.. The world will be left in great disorder. All man's monuments and his
great buildings will literally crumble before his very eyes.
2.. This judgment will drastically change the topography of the earth.
3.. Finally, these events will cause a tremendous loss of life on a
worldwide scale that is impossible to calculate.
8.7.3 The great cities (16:19)

"And the great city was split into three parts." There are two possible
interpretations:

1.. It refers to Jerusalem; or
2.. It refers to the rebuilt Babylon.
8.7.3.1 Jerusalem

This as a reference to Jerusalem because Jerusalem is called "the great
city" in 11:8. Also, the following two statements seem to indicate three
different areas are in view: "the great city," "the cities of the nations,"
and "Babylon, the great." Great topographical changes will take place around
Jerusalem in connection with the judgments at the end of the age (Zechariah
14:4). There does not, however, seem to be any clear evidence that Jerusalem
is destroyed with the judgments which overtake the earth at the end of the
Great Tribulation.

8.7.3.2 Rebuilt Babylon

Babylon, according to Scripture, is destined to be completely destroyed.
Whether this refers to Rome which is spiritual Babylon or, as some have
understood it, to a rebuilt city of Babylon on the Euphrates, it is clear in
any case the Babylon is the special object of the judgment of the God. The
fact that the judgment is an earthquake seems to indicate that a literal
city is in view, either in Rome or rebuilt Babylon, and that the judgment
results in its physical destruction. The time is just prior to the Second
Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John could just as easily have had something else in mind, i.e., the great
city Babylon and those cities that come under Babylon's yoke. The fall of
these cities will break the yoke of Gentile world dominion referred to by
the Lord as "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). This is "the period of
Gentile domination of Jerusalem, which probably began under Nebuchadnezzar
(587 B.C.), was certainly in effect in A.D. 70 and continues into the
Tribulation (cf. Revelation 11:2)". This should not be confused with what
Paul spoke of as "the fullness of the Gentiles" in Romans 11:25. The
fullness of the Gentiles refers to the completion of God's purpose in the
church age during which time God is calling out from among the Gentiles a
people for His name, namely the church (Acts 15:14; Ephesians 1:22-23;
Romans 11:7-32). The fall of these cities mentioned in Revelation 16 will
bring to an end the Gentile domination as it now exists over the nation
Israel.

I am personally convinced that Babylon will be rebuilt in the future and
will become a great city and the center and headquarters for the Babylonian
system of the last days, at least politically and commercially. In ancient
times Babylon was the chief center of Gentile dominion, the seat of
Babylonianism, and so it will be again in the future. Here she will be
judged and her dominion ended including the times of the Gentiles. The
details and evidence for this will come in chapters 17-18.

8.7.4 The great plague of hail (16:21)

We are told these hail stones are about 100 pounds each. The Greek word for
this weight is talantiaios, which referred to a weight of from 108-130
pounds. That's big hail and it will cause an awesome amount of damage on
earth. This judgment that might be compared to that of Sodom and Gomorrah or
to that on the king of the north or Magog mentioned in Ezekiel 38, only this
will extend to the whole earth.

This judgment is so severe that it is called a plague, extremely severe
(another use of megas). The amazing thing is that at this point, all of
man's dreams will crumble--houses, fortunes, kingdoms,
mountains--everything, but man's stony heart. What irony! His heart will
have become so hard and rebellious from continued rejection of God's grace
that he can only blaspheme God. His heart will be harder than stone.

Chronologically, the next event will be the return of the Lord to earth as
King of kings (chapter 19). The next two chapters, however, halt the
sequence and give us a parenthetical look at Babylon because of her
prominence historically and in the future kingdom of the system of the
beast.

Though from the contemporary point of view all the details of these dramatic
judgments are not immediately understood, the unmistakable impression of the
Scriptures is that the whole world is being brought to the bar of justice
before Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no escape from
divine judgment except for those who avail themselves of the grace of God in
that day by faith in Jesus Christ. The utter perversity of human nature,
which will reject the sovereignty of God in the face of such overwhelming
evidence, confirms that even the lake of fire will not produce repentance on
the part of those who have hardened their hearts against the grace of God
(John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Moody Press, p. 242).

Please tell your friends to visit the following Bible study web sites
regularly:
網上聖經課程 Bible Studies On the Internet http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/
香港以馬忤斯聖經函授學校 http://home.hkstar.com/~emmaushk
Week End Web Page http://www.patriot.net/users/premil/weekend.html

God bless you!

Yours in Christ,
John K.C. Fok
Hong Kong
11 Nov 1997

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<FONT=20
size=3D3>Revelation (16:12-21) God Intervenes<FONT=20
size=3D3> Part 7
<FONT=20
size=3D3>Hello,<FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> 
<FONT=20
size=3D3>The same passage=20
can be found at: <A=20
href=3D"http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/Revelation/9GodIntervenes.htm">h=
ttp://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/Revelation/9GodIntervenes.htm</A><=
/FONT>
8.6 The Sixth Bowl: =
The Euphrates=20
Dried (16:12-16)
In verse 12 the bowl is =
poured and we are=20
told of its purpose; it prepares the way for the kings of the east. Then =
in=20
verses 13-16 we are given a commentary on this judgment. First, there is =
divine=20
activity followed up by increased demonic activity (vss. 12-14a). Then =
there is=20
the effect of this on human activity (vs. 14); and finally again, divine =

activity (vss. 15-16).
8.6.1 The object of the bowl=20
(16:12a)
"The great river, the =
River=20
Euphrates." Literally the Greek says "the river, the great =
one,=20
Euphrates." This word order and the word "great" stresses =
the=20
prominence of this river. This is the largest river in western Asia and =
has=20
figured largely in history and prophecy. The following are a number of =
important=20
facts about this great river.
<OL>
<LI>It formed the Eastern =
boundary of=20
ancient Rome and its conquests.</LI>
<LI>It forms the Eastern =
boundary of the=20
land as promised to Abraham (cf. Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 1:7; =
11:24;=20
Joshua 1:4)</LI>
<LI>For a brief season David =
and Solomon=20
extended their authority to the Euphrates (I Kings 4:21; 1 =
Chronicles 18:3;=20
2 Chronicles 9:26).</LI>
<LI>The river is 1,800 miles =
long and=20
has always stood as a natural barrier separating the east from the=20
west.</LI>
<LI>The river forms in =
Armenia and 1,800=20
miles later empties into the Persian Gulf. About 90 miles from the =
Persian=20
Gulf it is joined by the Tigris.</LI></OL>
8.6.2 The purpose of this bowl=20
(16:12b)
"And its water was dried =
up that the=20
way might be prepared for the kings of the east." Isaiah 11:15b and =

Zechariah 10:11 are similar prophecies of the drying up of this river. =
The=20
purpose? To facilitate the movements of the troops of the oriental kings =
or the=20
eastern confederacy for the final Battle of Armageddon.
"The kings from the =
east" is=20
literally "the kings from the rising sun." This is a poetical=20
expression signifying the kings from where the sun rises, as China, =
Japan,=20
India, Persia, and Afghanistan. So here we see God's divine activity; =
God acting=20
in His sovereignty using the wrath and rebellion of Satan and man to =
carry out=20
his own purposes. Knowing the mind of Satan and man, the Lord will dry =
up this=20
natural barrier to an invasion of the land of Palestine.
8.6.3 The =
demonic activity=20
(16:13-14a) 
It is God's purpose to deal =
with the=20
nations in judgment in the land of Palestine. Knowing Satan's purpose =
and=20
objectives, God will use him and his demonic activity to inspire the =
nations to=20
move into Palestine.
The immediate source of this =
activity,=20
acting on their own objectives, is the trinity from hell--the Dragon or =
Satan,=20
the beast (the dictator of the revived Roman Empire in its final form), =
and the=20
false prophet who works miracles on behalf of the first beast =
(Revelation 12:3,=20
9, 13).
The appearance of these unclean =
spirits=20
resembles that of "frogs." The Levitical standards declared =
frogs to=20
be unclean animals and an abomination to God's people (Leviticus =
11:10-11, 41).=20
Frogs recall the second Egyptian plague (Exodus 8:5; Psalms 78:45;=20
105:30).
The means of accomplishing =
this are three=20
demonic spirits who proceed from the trinity to go out into the =
nations=20
working miraculous signs. This will somehow will be used to act on the =
minds of=20
the kings and people of the nations to move against Palestine. Exactly =
what=20
these signs are we are not told. But undoubtedly they somehow stir up =
old=20
desires and hostilities:
<OL>
<LI>
Strong =
anti-Semitism=20
(Zechariah 14:1-3; Revelation 12:17). The Arabs have long hated the =
Jews and=20
of course in our time this has taken on increased proportions. There =
appears=20
even now growing sentiment against Israel among much of the world. =
The=20
actions of these demons will somehow bring this to a climax at this=20
time.</LI>
<LI>
Then there =
is the lust of=20
the nations for control of Palestine and its warm water seaports =
which would=20
enable the one controlling Palestine to control the oil of this part =
of the=20
world (Ezekiel 38:12).</LI></OL>
8.6.4 The divine activity=20
(16:14b-16)
The kings of the world will =
be gathered=20
together for war with one another, but it is a war in which man is =
ultimately=20
brought against God. The armies do not know this, they think they are =
coming to=20
gain control of Palestine, but God uses this to accomplish this =
confluence of=20
nations for his own divine purposes (Joel 3:1-3; Zechariah 14:1-3) The =
war is=20
called "the war of the great day of God, the Almighty"(vs. 14) =
and the=20
place it is fought is called "Har-Magedon" (vs. 16). Modern =
man often=20
refers to this conflict as Armageddon, the final conflict that will be =
fought in=20
the Valley of Megiddo.
8.6.5 An explanation =
of the day,=20
time, and place 
The Greek literally says, =
"unto the=20
campaign (or war) of the day, the great one, the one of God, the =
Almighty=20
One." 
The phrase "of God, the=20
Almighty" is designed to emphasize that this day or period (it =
covers more=20
than one day) will fully demonstrate the omnipotence and sovereignty of=20
God.
The word "war" is =
the Greek=20
word palemos which signifies a war, an entire campaign =
and not=20
merely one isolated conflict or battle. What is in view here is a major =
war as=20
in World War II. Here we have World War III--assuming it is the next =
world war.=20
So here is World War III which extends over the entire last half of the=20
Tribulation involving several phases or invasions of Palestine and =
conflicts.=20
This will finally culminate in the gathering of all nations at the very =
end of=20
the Tribulation at Har-Magedon. Ezekiel 38; Daniel 11:40-45; Zechariah =
14:1-3=20
and Joel 3:1-17 all describe these military events that will culminate =
in the=20
return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The location of the war (vs. =
16) is=20
"Har-Magedon." Concerning this place Walvoord=20
says:
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Geographically, it relates to the =
Mount of=20
Megiddo located adjacent to the plain of Megiddo to the west and the =
large=20
plain of Esdraelon to the northeast. Megiddo is the Hebrew word=20
corresponding to the Greek word Armageddon. This area was the scene =
of many=20
of the great battles of the Old Testament such as that of Barak and =
the=20
Canaanites in Judges 4 and the victory of Gideon over the =
Midianites=20
in Judges 7. Here also occurred the deaths of Saul and Josiah. The =
area,=20
though it is a large one, is not sufficient for the armies of all =
the world,=20
though the valley of Esdraelon is fourteen miles wide and twenty =
miles long.=20
What this Scripture seems to indicate is that this area is the =
central point=20
for the military conflict which ensues. Actually the armies are =
deployed=20
over a 200-mile area up and down from this central location (cf. =
14:20). At=20
the time of the second coming, some of the armies are in Jerusalem =
itself=20
(Zechariah 14:1-3). (John F. Walvoord, The =
Revelation of=20
Jesus Christ, Moody Press, p. =
238).</BLOCKQUOTE>
Napoleon marched =
across this=20
area and remarked that all the armies of the world could do battle here =
because=20
of the broad expanse of this territory. Of course, it isn't actually =
that big,=20
but it is a very broad expanse perfect for a very large congregation of=20
armies.
Other areas involved =
are:
<OL>
<LI>
Joel 3:2, 13 =
the Valley of=20
Jehoshaphat. This refers to an area further south and east of =
Jerusalem (cf.=20
Ezekiel 39:11, the Valley of Passengers mentioned here is the same=20
area).</LI>
<LI>
Isaiah 34 =
and 63 picture=20
the Lord coming from Edom and Idumea south of Jerusalem with blood =
on His=20
garments which shows part of the conflict occurs here as=20
well.</LI>
<LI>
Then as =
Walvoord=20
mentions, Jerusalem is itself invaded by the armies of the world in =
the=20
final phase of this campaign. Zechariah 12:2-11; 14:2; Daniel =
11:40-45;=20
Ezekiel 38:9-16; and Revelation 14:20 all show us this campaign =
covers the=20
entire land of Palestine). </LI></OL>
The participants in this war =
are:=20
Participating will be the king of the north and his allies (Ezekiel 38). =
While=20
there is some disagreement here, many believe this will include Russia, =
Persia=20
(modern Iraq), Ethiopia (northern Sudan or maybe Arabia), Put (Libya and =
the=20
African block), Gomer (Germany), Beth-togarmah (Turkey), and the king of =
the=20
south consisting of Egypt and the Arab states. Then there will be the =
king of=20
the west, the ten nation confederation of the Mediterranean states of =
Europe.=20
Finally, it will include the kings of the east, the oriental block or =
nations=20
east of the Euphrates.
8.6.6 The warning to believers =
(16:15)=20

This verse is a parenthesis =
written to=20
the faithful remnant of the Tribulation to give them comfort, hope, as =
well as a=20
warning lest they become discouraged and lose their testimony. These =
plagues are=20
but a proof that the Lord's return is near. So in this verse the Lord =
Himself=20
now speaks. 
He says, "Behold." =
This means,=20
"stop, and think, take note"! "I am coming" is what =
we call=20
a prophetic present which views a future event as certain, as though =
already in=20
the process of occurring. Here the Lord is assuring the Tribulation =
saints that=20
His coming is certain.
"As a thief" =
stresses the fact=20
that while the general time of Christ's return in the Tribulation can be =
known=20
because of the signs and specific events of the Tribulation (like the =
drying up=20
of the Euphrates), the exact moment cannot be known (Matthew 24:36; Acts =
1:7).=20
Therefore, Tribulation believers are warned to stay awake, producing=20
righteousness for the Lord. They are to live with a view to His return. =
Some=20
would try to apply this to the church, but though there is some =
similarity to 1=20
Thessalonians 4:13f in the fact that Christ will come silently for =
believers,=20
take what is His, and leave the world in disarray, the primary picture =
of=20
Christ's coming for the church is that of a Bridegroom. The thief =
concept=20
primarily deals with the Tribulation or the day of wrath (cf. 1 =
Thessalonians=20
5:2-3). 
Thus, special blessing or =
happiness is=20
promised to the believer, even in these horrible times of the =
Tribulation if he=20
follows the warnings and exhortations of this verse. They are told to do =
two=20
things:
<OL>
<LI>
"To =
stay awake"=20
The Greek word here is gregarew and is used of =
alertness and=20
fellowship with the Lord (cf. its use in 1 Thessalonians 5:6f). It =
refers to=20
one who has the right priorities and is living for the Lord and His =
return.=20
To stay awake is to stay in fellowship. This is the root=20
aspect.</LI>
<LI>
"He =
keeps his=20
garments" Here is the fruit, the results. Keeping his garments =
refers=20
to righteous behavior or good works which the believer wears like a =
garment;=20
it is practical living from fellowship with Christ (Revelation =
14:13; 19:8;=20
11:18).</LI></OL>
"Lest he walk about =
naked and men=20
see their shame" Men cannot see the imputed righteousness which God =
imputes=20
to the account of believers which gives them a righteous standing and =
access to=20
God. But they can see the practical results of this in Christian =
behavior, or=20
the fruit of the Spirit and the Word, Christ-likeness. Otherwise what =
they see=20
is empty profession or spiritual nakedness (i.e. carnality).
Romans 13:11-14 makes a =
similar=20
application to believers for our day and in this sense the passage in =
Revelation=20
16:15 has application for us today. We can see events which are =
unfolding today=20
that could very well be preparatory to the Tribulation--politically,=20
spiritually, morally and in other ways. Since the Lord returns for the =
church=20
before the Tribulation, this means His coming for us, though always =
imminent,=20
must be drawing nearer every day. This along with the nature of our =
future with=20
Him should likewise motivate us to putting on the Lord Jesus Christ that =
we=20
might be fully clothed with His life and glorious character.
8.7 The Seventh Bowl: =
Widespread=20
Destruction (16:17-21)
The seventh bowl, the final =
judgment of=20
the Tribulation is actually a series of judgments that will be poured =
out upon=20
the whole earth. As the Tribulation is a time of unprecedented trial or=20
judgment, so the seventh bowl is the most severe and totally devastating =

judgment of the whole Tribulation, ending with the personal return of =
the Lord=20
Jesus Christ to earth. His personal return is not mentioned in these =
verses or=20
this chapter, but from the circumstances and the sixth plague, the =
return of=20
Christ has to be a part of this judgment.
The Greek word =
megas is=20
repeated seven times in these verses. This emphasizes the unprecedented =
nature=20
and finality of this series of judgments. It also stresses how this =
series of=20
judgments perfectly (the emphasis of the number seven) accomplishes and =
brings=20
to an end God's program of judgment. Of the eleven times the Greek word=20
megas is used in this chapter, seven are in relation to =
this=20
last bowl.
8.7.1 The great voice (16:l7)=20

First, note that this bowl is =
aimed or=20
poured out upon the air. "Air" is the Greek =
aer which=20
refers to our atmosphere, the air we breathe. Remember, Satan and his =
demon=20
hosts have been (since chapter 12, the middle of the Tribulation), =
restricted to=20
the earth which, however, would include our atmosphere. Also remember =
that=20
according to Ephesians 2:2 Satan is called "the prince of the power =
of the=20
air" (aer). This is the domain and the base of operation =
for Satan=20
and his spirit hosts and their strategies. Further, in modern day our =
atmosphere=20
has become vitally important in military matters over which Satan will =
have=20
control. This points to a principle: This series of judgments, though =
its final=20
effect is upon the earth, is a final judgment upon Satan and his domain =
or=20
rule.
Second, as John saw this bowl =
poured out,=20
a voice is heard. It is describe as "loud" or =
"great." It is=20
the voice of God, perhaps that of the Son Himself to whom all judgment =
has been=20
given (John 5:27). The voice comes "out of the temple =
(naos) from=20
the throne." This is the smoke-filled temple into which no one was =
able to=20
enter because of the absolute and undiluted wrath of God being poured =
out in=20
these seven bowls. So with the pouring of the seventh, John hears =
"it is=20
done." This is a Greek word gegonen, a consummative =
perfect that=20
refers to action as not merely ended, but which was brought to its =
appropriate=20
end and with results that continue. At this point, God's purposes of =
judgment in=20
the Tribulation will be perfectly accomplished by this final series of =
divine=20
wrath.
If you recall, there was =
another moment=20
in history when our Lord made a similar statement. When on the cross, in =
those=20
final hours of darkness, he cried out tetelesqai "it is=20
done”or it=20
is finished.” At this point, Christ had borne our iniquities and His =
substitionary work=20
was complete. He had been judged for man's sin. This too was a =
consummative=20
perfect emphasizing that God's work of reconciliation was accomplished =
with=20
nothing more to be done other than for men and women to personally =
believe in=20
the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:14-21, 36; 6:28-29).
But, as the above verses also =
show, if=20
one rejects the work of God in Christ and his judgment for our sin, then =
he is=20
under the wrath of God which must also be accomplished; first in the =
Tribulation=20
and then in eternal perdition in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). =
As the=20
author of Hebrews asks us, "how shall we escape if we =
neglect so=20
great a salvation"?
8.7.2 The great earthquake =
(16:18, 20)=20

Verse =
16:18
Before the mention of the =
great=20
earthquake, John sees "flashes of lightning" and hears =
"sounds=20
and peals of thunder" (vs. 18a). As it has been throughout the =
Book, this=20
is preparatory and a warning of the extreme judgment that is about to=20
fall.
Then we read "and there =
was a great=20
earthquake." Several things are important here: First, this =
earthquake is=20
likewise unprecedented in history. The rhetorical device of redundancy =
is=20
employed to emphasize this. "Such as" is the Greek=20
hoios, a special qualitative relative pronoun meaning =
"of=20
such a nature or kind." "So great" is the Greek=20
thlikoutos, a special demonstrative or quantitative pronoun meaning =

"so great, so mighty." "Mighty" is again the =
Greek=20
megas mentioned before.
Verse =
16:20
Verses 19-20 then give the =
extent and=20
effect of this earthquake with its worldwide devastation. In verse 20 we =
are=20
shown two results that are not only astounding, but mind =
boggling.
<OL>
<LI>"Every island fled =
away,"=20
i.e., they disappeared into the ocean. Imagine the tidal waves this =
will=20
cause.</LI>
<LI>"And the mountains =
were not=20
found" is literally, "and mountains were not found." =
The word=20
"mountains" does not have the article which implies not =
all the=20
mountains will be removed. Perhaps as a result of the great faults =
in the=20
earth breaking open and shifting about, the mountains will break up =
and fall=20
into the cracks of the earth. </LI></OL>
Zechariah 14:4 tells us that =
at Christ's=20
return to earth the Mount of Olives will split or crack open and form a =
great=20
valley. Perhaps it is at this point, at Christ's return to earth, that =
this=20
great earthquake occurs.
This mind stretching =
phenomena points to=20
three important facts:
<OL>
<LI>The world will be left =
in great=20
disorder. All man's monuments and his great buildings will literally =
crumble=20
before his very eyes.</LI>
<LI>This judgment will =
drastically=20
change the topography of the earth.</LI>
<LI>Finally, these events =
will cause a=20
tremendous loss of life on a worldwide scale that is impossible to=20
calculate.</LI></OL>
8.7.3 The great cities (16:19)=20

"And the great city was =
split into=20
three parts." There are two possible interpretations:
<OL>
<LI>It refers to Jerusalem;=20
or</LI>
<LI>It refers to the rebuilt =

Babylon.</LI></OL>
8.7.3.1=20
Jerusalem
This as a reference to =
Jerusalem because=20
Jerusalem is called "the great city" in 11:8. Also, the =
following two=20
statements seem to indicate three different areas are in view: "the =
great=20
city," "the cities of the nations," and "Babylon, =
the=20
great." Great topographical changes will take place around =
Jerusalem in=20
connection with the judgments at the end of the age (Zechariah 14:4). =
There does=20
not, however, seem to be any clear evidence that Jerusalem is destroyed =
with the=20
judgments which overtake the earth at the end of the Great=20
Tribulation.
8.7.3.2=20
Rebuilt =
Babylon
Babylon, according to =
Scripture, is=20
destined to be completely destroyed. Whether this refers to Rome which =
is=20
spiritual Babylon or, as some have understood it, to a rebuilt city of =
Babylon=20
on the Euphrates, it is clear in any case the Babylon is the special =
object of=20
the judgment of the God. The fact that the judgment is an earthquake =
seems to=20
indicate that a literal city is in view, either in Rome or rebuilt =
Babylon, and=20
that the judgment results in its physical destruction. The time is just =
prior to=20
the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John could just as easily =
have had=20
something else in mind, i.e., the great city Babylon and those cities =
that come=20
under Babylon's yoke. The fall of these cities will break the yoke of =
Gentile=20
world dominion referred to by the Lord as "the times of the =
Gentiles"=20
(Luke 21:24). This is "the period of Gentile domination of =
Jerusalem, which=20
probably began under Nebuchadnezzar (587 B.C.), was certainly in effect =
in A.D.=20
70 and continues into the Tribulation (cf. Revelation 11:2)". This =
should=20
not be confused with what Paul spoke of as "the fullness of the=20
Gentiles" in Romans 11:25. The fullness of the Gentiles refers to =
the=20
completion of God's purpose in the church age during which time God is =
calling=20
out from among the Gentiles a people for His name, namely the church =
(Acts=20
15:14; Ephesians 1:22-23; Romans 11:7-32). The fall of these cities =
mentioned in=20
Revelation 16 will bring to an end the Gentile domination as it now =
exists over=20
the nation Israel.
I am personally convinced =
that Babylon=20
will be rebuilt in the future and will become a great city and the =
center and=20
headquarters for the Babylonian system of the last days, at least =

politically and commercially. In ancient times Babylon was the chief =
center of=20
Gentile dominion, the seat of Babylonianism, and so it will be again in =
the=20
future. Here she will be judged and her dominion ended including the =
times of=20
the Gentiles. The details and evidence for this will come in chapters=20
17-18.
8.7.4 The great plague of hail=20
(16:21)
We are told these hail stones =
are about=20
100 pounds each. The Greek word for this weight is talantiaios, =
which=20
referred to a weight of from 108-130 pounds. That's big hail and it will =
cause=20
an awesome amount of damage on earth. This judgment that might be =
compared to=20
that of Sodom and Gomorrah or to that on the king of the north or Magog=20
mentioned in Ezekiel 38, only this will extend to the whole =
earth.
This judgment is so severe =
that it is=20
called a plague, extremely severe (another use of megas). The =
amazing=20
thing is that at this point, all of man's dreams will crumble--houses, =
fortunes,=20
kingdoms, mountains--everything, but man's stony heart. What irony! His =
heart=20
will have become so hard and rebellious from continued rejection of =
God's grace=20
that he can only blaspheme God. His heart will be harder than =
stone.
Chronologically, the next =
event will be=20
the return of the Lord to earth as King of kings (chapter 19). The next =
two=20
chapters, however, halt the sequence and give us a parenthetical look at =
Babylon=20
because of her prominence historically and in the future kingdom of the =
system=20
of the beast. 
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Though from the contemporary point =
of view=20
all the details of these dramatic judgments are not immediately =
understood,=20
the unmistakable impression of the Scriptures is that the whole =
world is=20
being brought to the bar of justice before Christ as King of kings =
and Lord=20
of lords. There is no escape from divine judgment except for those =
who avail=20
themselves of the grace of God in that day by faith in Jesus Christ. =
The=20
utter perversity of human nature, which will reject the sovereignty =
of God=20
in the face of such overwhelming evidence, confirms that even the =
lake of=20
fire will not produce repentance on the part of those who have =
hardened=20
their hearts against the grace of God (John F. Walvoord,=20
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Moody Press, =
p.=20
242).</BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
</BLOCKQUOTE><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D""><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D""><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D""><FONT=20
color=3D#000000 face=3D"">
<DIV>Please tell =
your friends=20
to visit the following Bible study web sites regularly: <A=20
name=3D=BA=F4=A4W=B8t=B8g=BD=D2=B5{><TT>=BA=F4=A4W=B8t=B8g=BD=D2=B5{</A> </TT>Bible=20
Studies On the Internet <A=20
href=3D"http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfok1/">http://home.hkstar.com/~johnfo=
k1/</A> <FONT=20
face=3D"" =
size=3D3>=AD=BB=B4=E4=A5H=B0=A8=CA=DE=B4=B5=B8t=B8g=A8=E7=B1=C2=BE=C7=AE=D5=
<A=20
href=3D"http://home.hkstar.com/~emmaushk">http://home.hkstar.com/~emmaush=
k</A> Week=20
End Web Page <A=20
href=3D"http://www.patriot.net/users/premil/weekend.html">http://www.patr=
iot.net/users/premil/weekend.html</A><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"></DIV>
<DIV>God bless=20
you!</DIV>
<DIV> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"></DIV>
<DIV>Yours in Christ, John =
K.C.=20
Fok Hong Kong 11 Nov=20
1997 </DIV></F=
ONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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