Revelation – Chapter-16

The Seventh bowl:  (It is done!)   (16:17-21):

The 7^th bowl is the final outpouring of God’s wrath on sinners in this present earth.  It would be the worst calamity in the world’s history. The 7^th angel pours out his bowl upon the air.  The devil is “prince of the power of the air”. so perhaps this seventh bowl  has a special effect on his dominion (Eph.2:2). As the angel dumped his bowl, a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne of God  “it’s done.”  This describes a completed action with ongoing results.  It is similar to Jesus’ final words from the cross,  it is finished (Jn. 19:30).  Gods judgement of Christ on Calvary provided salvation for repentant sinners;  the judgement of the 7^th bowl brings doom to unrepentant sinners.  The bowl has affected the atmosphere, there were flashes of lighting and sounds  and peals of thunder.  Just like the 7^th seal (8:5),  and the 7^th trumpet (11:19), the 7^th bowl is introduced with imagery of a violent thunderstorm.  Suddenly there was mighty earthquake which  ripped the great city into 3-parts.  The mighty earthquake on the earth will in a way renovate or re-configure the earth in preparation for the millennial kingdom, restoring it to something like its pre-flood condition (16:20).  The mighty earthquake will destroy the mighty army that gathered at the plains of Armageddon.

The massive earthquake will cause a series of geophysical alterations to the city and its surrounding region for the preparation of the 2^nd coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.In (Zech. 14:4-10) gives some of the changes in detail.

• The Mt. Of Olives will split in two and a new valley running east and west will be created.
• A spring of water will flow year round from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean and Dead Sea causing the desert to blossom like a rose (Isa.35:1).
• Jerusalem city will be elevated and the surrounding regions will be flattened into plain.

But the main emphasis is the fall of Babylon, “the beast’s” great economic system, which subjugated the people of the world, would be completely destroyed by God.  The final effect of the earthquake is to prepare the earth for the millennial rule of Christ.  For this every island fled away and the mountains were flattened.

Those who escape the devastation caused by the earthquake will face another catastrophe, one unprecedented in earth’s history which are“huge hailstones” about 100 pounds each fall on men.  This judgement is similar to 7^th plague in Egypt (Ex. 9:22-26).   Just as Pharaoh and the Egyptian leaders did not repent, so the earth-dwellers will not repent; in fact, they will blaspheme God! No wonder the hail comes, for blasphemers are supposed to be stoned to death (Lev.24:16). John’s message is clear: it is possible to be victorious over “the beast” and be an overcomer! Movements of armies, confederations of nations, and worldwide opposition to God cannot hinder the Lord from fulfilling His Word and achieving His purposes. Men think they are free to do as they please, but in reality, they are accomplishing the plans and purposes of God! But in the last days, these events will accelerate and the Bible’s prophecies will be ultimately fulfilled. The church will not be on the scene at that time, but both Jewish and Gentile believers will be living who will have to endure Antichrist’s rule. The admonition in (16:15)  applies to us all: “Behold, I [Jesus] come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walknaked, and they see his shame.  Jesus Christ may return at any time, and it calls us to keep our lives clean, to watch, and to be faithful.