Revelation 16:1-9

1 And I heard a great voice from heaven, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and shed out the seven vials of God's wrath into the earth.

2 And the first angel went, and shedded out his vial into the earth; and a wound fierce and worst was made on all that had the character of the beast [and a wound fierce and worst was made on all that had the character, or mark, of the beast], and on them that worshipped the beast, and his image.

3 And the second angel shedded out his vial into the sea, and the blood was made, as of a dead thing; and each man living [and each soul living] was dead in the sea.

4 And the third angel shedded out his vial on the rivers, and on the wells of waters, [and blood is made]. [And the third angel shedded out his vial upon the floods, and upon the wells of waters, and blood is made.]

5 and said [And I heard the angel of waters, saying], Just art thou, Lord, that art, and that were holy [and that wast holy], that deemest these things;

6 for they shedded out the blood of hallows and prophets, and thou hast given to them blood to drink [and thou hast given them blood to drink]; for they be worthy.

7 And I heard another [angel] saying, Yea! Lord God almighty, true and just be thy dooms.

8 And the fourth angel shedded out his vial into the sun, and it was given to him to torment men with heat and fire.

9 And men parched with great heat [And men sweltered with great heat], and blasphemed the name of God having power on [upon] these plagues, neither they did penance, that they should give glory to him.

Revelation 16:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

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 Re 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, Re 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, Re 16:3. The third pours out his upon the rivers and fountains of water, which thereby became blood; upon which the angel of the waters applauds the justice of God, declaring the righteousness of his judgments, and giving a reason for it; and which is confirmed by another angel from the altar, Re 16:4-7. The fourth angel pours out his vial on the sun, the effects of which are, scorching men with heat, their blasphemy against God, and impenitence, Re 16:8,9. The fifth pours out his on the seat of the beast, the consequences of which are darkness in his kingdom, men gnawing their tongues because of their pains, their blasphemy of the name of God because of them, and their impenitence, Re 16:10,11. The sixth angel pours out his on the river Euphrates, and what followed upon it are, the drying up of that river to make way for the kings of the east; there unclean spirits are seen, described by their original, coming out of the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false prophet; by their form, like frogs; by their internal nature, spirits of devils; by their works, doing miracles; by the errand they are sent, and go upon, to gather the kings of the earth to the battle of God Almighty, which they succeed in; but before this is done, a declaration is made of the suddenness of Christ's coming, exciting the saints to watchfulness, and to keep their garments, that they might not be naked, and exposed to shame, Re 16:12-16 Then the seventh angel pours out his vial into the air, the consequences of which are, a voice from heaven declaring it is done: other voices, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake; a rupture of the great city into three parts; the fall of other cities; the remembrance of Babylon before God; the flight of every island and mountain, and a great hail storm, which causes men to blaspheme God, Re 16:17-21.