Revelation 16:4

4 And the third let what was in his vessel come out into the rivers and the fountains of water; and they became blood.

Revelation 16:4 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 16:4

And the third angel poured his vial upon the rivers and
fountains of waters
Which also is not to be literally understood of a stagnation of them, before the burning of the world; nor of the destruction of Popish fleets and navies, such as the Spanish armada in 1588, and others since; but rather of Popish writings, of the most learned and subtle men among them, who like rivers and fountains, which supply and fill the sea, support and keep up the Romish jurisdiction and hierarchy; and of the confutation of them by Protestant writers; and of the utter destruction of their principal orders, and chief men among them, as cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, Jesuits though it seems chiefly to design the places near to Rome, such as Italy and Savoy; for as the third trumpet affects the rivers and fountains, ( Revelation 8:10 ) and brings in the Huns into Italy, and issued in the destruction of the empire; so the third vial affects the same, and brings terrible wars, and great effusion of blood, where so much of the blood of the saints have been shed: hence it follows, and they became blood; these countries will be covered with blood, and a reformation will ensue upon it; the allusion is to ( Exodus 7:19-21 ) .

Revelation 16:4 In-Context

2 And the first went, and let what was in his vessel come down on the earth; and it became an evil poisoning wound on the men who had the mark of the beast, and who gave worship to his image.

3 And the second let what was in his vessel come out into the sea; and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea came to an end.

4 And the third let what was in his vessel come out into the rivers and the fountains of water; and they became blood.

5 And the voice of the angel of the waters came to my ears, saying, True and upright is your judging, O Holy One, who is and was from all time:

6 For they made the blood of saints and prophets come out like a stream, and blood have you given them for drink; which is their right reward.