Revelation 16:12-16

12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on 1the great river Euphrates, and 2its water was dried up, 3to prepare the way for the kings 4from the east.
13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of 5the dragon and out of the mouth of 6the beast and out of the mouth of 7the false prophet, three 8unclean spirits like 9frogs.
14 For they are 10demonic spirits, 11performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, 12to assemble them for battle on 13the great day of God the Almighty.
15 ("Behold, 14I am coming like a thief! 15Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, 16that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")
16 And 17they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called 18Armageddon.

Revelation 16:12-16 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.

Cross References 18

  • 1. Revelation 9:14
  • 2. Isaiah 11:15; Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38; Jeremiah 51:32, 36
  • 3. [Isaiah 41:2, 25; Isaiah 46:11]
  • 4. Revelation 7:2
  • 5. Revelation 12:3, 9
  • 6. Revelation 13:1
  • 7. Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; [Revelation 13:11, 14]
  • 8. Revelation 18:2
  • 9. [Exodus 8:6]
  • 10. [1 Timothy 4:1]
  • 11. See Revelation 13:13
  • 12. Revelation 20:8; [Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19; 1 Kings 22:20]
  • 13. See Revelation 6:17
  • 14. See Revelation 3:3
  • 15. Revelation 3:2, 3; See Matthew 24:42
  • 16. Revelation 3:18
  • 17. Revelation 19:19
  • 18. Zechariah 12:11; See Judges 5:19
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.