Revelation 16:14-21

14 For they be spirits of devils, making signs [making signs, or wonders], and they go forth to kings of all earth, to gather them into [a] battle, to the great day of almighty God.

15 Lo! I come, as a night thief. Blessed is he that waketh, and keepeth his clothes, that he wander not naked, and that they see not the filthhood of him [and they see his filthhood].

16 And he shall gather them into a place [And he gathered them into a place], that is called in Hebrew Armageddon.

17 And the seventh angel shedded out his vial into the air, and a great voice went out of heaven from the throne, and said, It is done [saying, It is done].

18 And lightnings were made, and voices, and thunders; and a great earth-moving was made, which manner never was, since men were on earth [since men were upon earth], such earth-moving so great.

19 And the great city was made into three parts, and the cities of heathen men felled down [And the great city is broken into three parts, and the cities of heathen men fell down]; and great Babylon came into mind before God, to give to it the cup of wine of the indignation of his wrath.

20 And each isle flew away, and hills be not found.

21 And [a] great hail as a talent came down from heaven into men; and men blasphemed God, for the plague of hail, for it was made full great.

Revelation 16:14-21 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.