EIGHT CHAPTERS
EXPLAINING THE SPIRITUAL BATTLES, PEOPLE,
AND EVENTS OF THE GREAT
TRIBULATION TO THE
RETURN OF KING JESUS TO
RULE THIS EARTH:
PART VI – THE FIFTH,
SIXTH, AND SEVENTH BOWL JUDGMENTS
FINISH YAHWEH’S FINAL
WRATH
Revelation 16:10-21
As taught by Dave
Lindstrom
I. The fifth bowl judgment brings total
darkness to the throne and kingdom of the beast
(Revelation 16:10, 11).
A. Yahweh’s wrath is specifically
being poured out on the throne and kingdom of the beast
(Antichrist). Those who willingly have chosen to follow and
worship the beast, who is under Satan’s authority, instead of the
true God and His Christ receive these judgments. These judgments
originate from Yahweh’s throne and temple (Rev. 8:2-5, 11:18, 19,
15:1, 2, 8, 16:1, 17) and are delivered to the beast’s throne
and kingdom (verse 10; Rev. 13:4-18, 16:2).
B. This is similar to the ninth
Egyptian plague (Ex. 10:21-29) as well as the fourth trumpet
judgment (Rev. 8:12), however, more intensive and extensive. The
Egyptian plague lasted for three days only in Egypt with an intense
“darkness to be felt” (Ex. 10:21-23). The fourth trumpet
judgment brought total darkness (no moon, stars, or sun shining) to
the entire earth for one-third of every 24 hour day for what was
probably months (Rev. 8:12).
C. During this plague, total darkness
came to the area of the beast’s throne and kingdom. This would
have been most of the world since the bowl judgments are being given
after the Antichrist’s reign has been in full force throughout
the 3 ½ year Great Tribulation (verse 10; Rev. 11:1- 14:13).
1. This total darkness was probably
for a number of days during the 30 to 75 days after the ending of
the Great Tribulation (Dan. 12:11, 12).
2. This total darkness brings great
anguish to its recipients to the point where they “gnawed their
tongues” from the pain caused by this plague, the other plagues,
and especially the sores on their bodies. However, instead of
repenting and recognizing their powerlessness, they chose to
blaspheme (curse) the God of heaven (verse 10c, 11).
THOUGHT: The “God
of heaven” is a phrase found in Scripture which implies supreme
rulership over everything and commands deep respect and awe. Even
Nebuchadnezzar learned to praise and extol the only God of heaven
(Dan. 2:18, 19, 37, 44; 4:1-3, 34-37;
See also Rev. 11:13).
II. The sixth bowl judgment prepares
the area around Israel for the final battle of Armageddon which will
happen right before Christ’s return to rule and reign (Revelation
16:12-16).
A. This bowl first stops the flow of
the great Euphrates River so the eastern kings can join the battle
in Israel (verse 12a).
1. This river flows through modern
Iraq (ancient Babylon) and marked the eastern boundary of Israel’s
Promised Land from Yahweh (Gen. 15:18; Deut. 1:7, 8; Josh. 1:4) as
well as the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire at the time of
the writing of the book of Revelation.
2. During this time of the sixth bowl
judgment, right before Christ returns to rule and reign, demonic
spirits will convince kings from the whole earth (areas that are now
Russia, Iran, India, China, etc.) to come to a great battle in
Israel (verses 12b-14).
a. Through the mouths of the dragon
(Satan, Rev. 12:9), the beast (Antichrist,
Rev. 13:5) and the false prophet
(the Antichrist’s prophet, Rev. 13:12), demons convince these
leaders through various deceits and false wonders to come to Israel
to a great battle. The frog was an “unclean” creature in the
Jewish dietary laws (Lev. 11:10-11) and, therefore, the
message by the demons was an unclean message of deceit and
falsehood (verses 13, 14).
b. This is going to be the
prophesied, Scriptural event called “the battle or war on the
great day of God the Almighty” (verse 14) or the “battle of
Armageddon” (verse 16). Some of the Scriptures that seem to
prophecy this event include Ezekiel 38:1 - 39:29, Daniel 11:36 –
12:1, Joel 2:11, 3:1-16, Zechariah 12:1 – 14:15, and 2 Thes. 2:8.
B. Yahweh Jesus encourages his saints
during this time to stay awake and fully clothed. Christ’s
return is now only days to a month or so away and they should stay
on guard so as not to be ashamed. Those that are believers are
very close to entering their reward (verse 15; 2 Peter 3:10; Rev. 19:8). This is
the third beatitude or blessing out of seven in Revelation (Rev.
1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 14).
C. These kings will be assembled at a
place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon (verse 16).
1. The most natural reading of this
Greek transliterated word from Hebrew is mountain or hill (Hebrew
– “har”) of Megiddo (Hebrew – “Megiddon”). The area of
Megiddo would be well known to Hebrew readers of the Old
Testament. It is found as the battlefield with Barak in Judges
4-5, Gideon in Judges 7, and was where King Saul, his sons, and
Josiah fell to their deaths (I Sam. 31:1; 2 Chron. 35:22). It is
found in a key prophetic passage in Zechariah 12:11 right next to
the Apostle John’s theme verse of Zechariah 12:10 (Rev. 1:7).
2. The main problem in the minds of
Bible students and teachers is that there is no identification
of a Mount Megiddo. Megiddo is really a plain or valley
approximately 15 miles wide and 20 miles long. It is close to Mt.
Carmel and part of the Esdraelon Valley and is approximately 60
miles northwest of Jerusalem. Since the Hebrew word “har” can
also mean “hill country” or the fact that Megiddo has
mountains like Carmel and Gilboa around it, the apostle seemed to
be identifying this particular geographical area.
3. More than likely, given all the
prophecies of Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, and Zechariah (and others),
this was only one of the areas of the final war, although a major
one. Scripture identifies specific events in and around Jerusalem
itself in other prophesies at Christ’s return (Zech. 14:1-5).
III. The seventh bowl judgment finishes
the wrath of Yahweh on this earth bringing a great earthquake and
great hailstones (Rev. 16:17-21).
A. Yahweh’s message from His throne
is that after this is poured out, His wrath is officially done.
This is a momentous event in the history of eternity! (verse 17)
B A great earthquake larger than at
anytime in history wraps up the wrath of Yahweh
(verses 18-20).
1. Jerusalem, the great city, was
divided into three parts (verse 19a; Revelation 11:8;
Zechariah 14:1-5).
2. Whole cities in Gentile nations
fell (verse 19b).
3. Babylon the great (the
Antichrist’s national headquarters and capital city) was judged by
this earthquake as well as many other plagues. This will be
discussed in more detail in Revelation chapters 17 through 19.
4. The topography of the earth
substantially changed. Every island fled (which means either
totally disappeared or moved substantially) and mountains were
substantially changed (some not found any longer) (verse 20).
C. Great hailstones of approximately
100 pounds fell from heaven bringing blasphemy (cursing) from the
beast’s followers and an end to Yahweh’s wrath (verse 21).
