Revelation 16

13 Then John saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs. One came out of the mouth of the dragon Satan (Revelation 12:3,9), the second came out of the mouth of the beast (Revelation 13:1), and the third came out of the mouth of the false prophet.³⁸

14 According to John’s vision, these three evil spirits will deceive the people of the world by means of miraculous signs (Mark 13:22; Revelation 13:13-14). The three spirits will gather together all the evil rulers and kings of the world to fight in the final battle against God (Revelation 19:19). That battle will occur, when Christ will finally destroy the beast and the false prophet and their followers (see Revelation 19:11-21). On that day Christ will begin His reign on earth (Revelation 11:17).

15 Here Christ warns His own followers to remain ready. “Behold, I come like a thief’ (see Matthew 24:42-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). “Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him.” Christians must be dressed in Christ’s righteousness, and they must wear the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).

16 Armageddon is the place where the final battle will take place between Christ and Satan and his two beasts. The meaning of the word Armageddon is not known. Neither is the location of Armageddon known.

17-18 When the plague in the seventh bowl was poured out, God said, “It is done!” The plagues were now finished. Now Satan’s final defeat and the end of the world was about to occur. Then John saw a great and terrible earthquake (see Revelation 11:15,19).

19 Then John watched as the great city—that is, Babylon the Great (Revelation 14:8)—was split into three parts; in other words, it was totally destroyed. John considered the great city to be Rome. But Rome (that is, the Rome of John’s time) has been destroyed now for 1500 years, and the end of the world has not yet come. Therefore, we can understand that the great city-Babylon the Great—represents all worldly authorities, kings, and countries that do not obey God. All those who disobey God will in the end drink from the cup filled with the wine of the fury of [God’s] wrath (see Revelation 14:9-10 and comment).

20-21 Even after enduring such a terrible earthquake and a hailstorm with hundredpound hailstones, men still did not repent (Exodus 9:22-26; Joshua 10:11). Instead, they cursed God. Their final judgment was now at hand.