The seven angels/messengers are sent to pour out the seven vials containing the wrath of God upon the earth which is where those who persecuted and killed God's people were located. The first vial was poured out upon those who had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The mark of the beast indicates those who supported Roman authorities and worshipped the image of Caesar. This would specifically be Jews who had said, "We have no king but Caesar", denying Jesus as they said, "crucify Him". The second angel/messenger poured his vial upon the sea and it became as blood. In Revelation, the sea represented people and this indicates the coming bloodshed that would accompany Jerusalem's destruction. The third angel/messenger poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters indicating further bloodshed. A declaration of the righteousness of the Lord for His judgment is made. The reason for His judgment is given. It is because these people shed the blood of saints and prophets. We should remember what Jesus said in Matthew 23 when He made that generation of Jews responsible for all the righteous blood shed from Abel to Zacharias. Another from the altar declares the judgments of the Lord to be true and righteous. The effect of the fourth, fifth and sixth vials being poured out are recorded by John. Go to the study to see the specifics on these actions. When the seventh vial is poured out, there is a great voice heard out of the temple of heaven from the throne and it says, "It is done." Again, go to the study and see the discussion on what this is referring to.

1. 1
SECTION OUTLINE 16 (REVELATION 16:1-21)
A. Verses 1-5
1. What did John hear? Great - #3173 – big, literally or fig. in wide appl.
Voice - #5456 – phone – through the idea of disclosure, a tone
(articulate, bestial or artificial), by impl. An address (for any
purpose), saying or language
a. Where did it come from?
It came out of the temple. See 15:8 – filled with smoke from the
glory of God. God is speaking from the heavenly temple.
b. Where were they to go?
Go - #5217 – to lead oneself under, ie, to withdraw or retire (as if
sinking out of sight), lit. or fig. :- depart, get hence, go.
Each had a mission to perform and a way to go. God had given
them the directions. Remember the significance of the number 7.
As in completeness per God rested the 7th
day, completed
creating.
We saw 7 seals in chapter 5 and 7 trumpets in chapter 8. Jesus’
declarations and actions began that section in chapter 1, the
punishments being revealed in those specific chapters ended in
that first section with chapter 11.
This chapter continues to reveal the actions ready to be taken by
God through the Roman Army upon the Jews and the coming
destruction of Jerusalem.
These plagues are like those visited upon Pharaoh for mistreating
and refusing to let Israel go. The Jews used Roman rulers to
crucify Jesus. The punishment executed upon the Jews, Nero and
his followers is here revealed.
c. What were they to do?
They were to pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth
(place of the nations). Each messenger/angel had a specific action to
take which was contained in their individual vials. This is the same as
Rev 14:10. The wine of the wrath of God was in the cup of His
indignation. The time has come to pour it out. Jesus’ prophesy of Matt

2. 2
23:32-36 and Matt 24 is about to be fulfilled according to Jesus’
Revelation. The actual event is several years away.
2. What was the first vial poured upon?
The first vial was poured upon the earth. This would be upon the people
in Israel, where the city and temple were.
a. What was the result?
It resulted in horrible, painful sores (#1668- ulcers) to appear on
people. See Exodus 9:8-11 for similar result upon Egyptians.
b. Who was affected? V3
Those who had the mark of the beast and those that worshipped his
image. See Rev 13:15-18.
3. What was the second vial poured upon? V3
The second vial was poured out upon the sea. See Rev 13:1 - society,
people
a. What was the result?
The sea became as the blood of a dead man.
See Ex 7:19 for similar result.
b. Who was affected?
Every living soul died in the sea.
4. What was the third vial poured upon? V4
It was poured upon the rivers and fountains of waters. See Rev 8:10-11
a. What was the result?
They became as blood. Again similar to Ex 7:20
5. What did these three vials signify?
They signify God’s answer to the prayers of the saints in Rev 6:9-11, their
souls that were under the altar who asked, “How long, O Lord, holy and
true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on
the earth? KJV
What do they represent?
They represent that though God’s wrath was contained previously, it was
now to be poured out. God is long suffering, He waited almost 40 years
before executing His vengeance upon the Jews for their continued killing
of those He sent. The final straw their crucifixion of their Messiah.

3. 3
Examples, the flood, Israel in the OT, Jerusalem per Matt 23 & 24, coming
end of the age per 2 Pet 3:9-10
6. Which angel/messenger spoke? V5 – 7
The angel of the waters, the third angel/messenger. He explained who
executed the punishment and why.
a. List each attribute of the Lord that is mentioned. V5
Righteous - #1342 – equitable, innocent, holy
Lord - #2962 – supreme in authority, as a noun, controller
Shalt be - #3741 – right – holy in 7 out of 8 passages used in Rev
b. Why were they punished?
Because they shed the blood of saints and prophets
Gal 6:5-8 ..whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap
c. Do you find this mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament? Yes.
2 places
Matt 23:30 and 34 shed blood of prophets, scribes, righteous
Rev 6:9-11 slain for the word of God and their testimony
d. What is literal and what is figurative in verse 6?
Shedding the blood of the saints and prophets is literal.
Giving them blood to drink is figurative meaning they are worthy to
be punished. See Is 49:26 for similar wording
e. What attributes of God are listed in verse 7 and who said them?
Lord - #2962 – kurios – supreme in authority, controller
God - #2316 – theos -deity. With definite article #3588, the supreme
divinity
Almighty - #3841 – pantokrator – the all ruling (absolute universal)
omnipotent
True - #288 – truthful, true
Righteous - #1342 – equitable, innocent, holy
Judgments - #2920 – decisions, justice, i.e. divine law
Heb 6:18 – cannot lie
John 5:22 – all judgment to the Son
Another out of the altar spoke
B. Verses 8-16

4. 4
1. What was the 4th
vial poured upon? V8 & 9
It was poured out upon the sun.
a. What was the result?
The men were scorched with heat from the sun.
b. What did the men do?
They blasphemed God. See Is 30:26-33 for similar language when God
punished Assyria.
Isaiah started out in 30:1-2 by pronouncing woe unto those in Israel
who trusted in the strength of Pharaoh and Egypt and not the Lord.
Here we have those who worshipped Caesar and trusted in Rome and
not the Living God.
c. What did the men NOT do?
They did not repent. They were given the chance through the gospel
but chose not to. We are reminded that God always gives nations and
individuals a chance to repent and turn back to Him.
Jer 18:7-11 - …if that nation turn from their evil..
Ezek 18:30-32 … repent and turn …O house of Israel
Acts 17:30 ..commandeth all men everywhere to repent
Rev 2:5,16,21 & 3:3, 19
2. What was the 5th
vial poured upon? Explain. V10
The 5th
vial was poured out upon the seat of the beast.
Seat/throne - #2362 – a stately seat “throne”; by implication, power or
(concretely) a potentate. Used throughout Revelation (46 of 62 times in
NT)
Acts 7:46 – Heaven is My throne, earth is my footstool
Rev 2:13 – Even where Satan’s seat/throne is
The seat/throne indicates authority. The beast had authority. In Rev 13:2
it was said that the dragon gave the beast his power, his seat/throne and
great authority. The beast here is the ruling authority in Israel whose
power came from the emperor who was serving Satan. Both Jewish and
Roman authorities persecuted Christians. God’s wrath was now upon
them. His long-suffering had ended.
a. What was the result?
His kingdom was full of darkness. Note:

5. 5
Col 1:13 – from the power of darkness
Eph 6:12 – against the rulers of darkness
Eph 5:11 – unfruitful works of darkness…reprove them
Is 13:9-10 – everything darkened – fall of Babylon by Medes vs 11-17
The seat of authority in Judah and Rome served Satan and Satan gave
authority to the beast per Rev 13:2. Per Rom 13, they were not ruling
as God required.
Jesus uses the same figurative language as Isaiah to describe what
was going to happen to Judah in Matt 24:27-30. Remember verse 34.
b. Again, what did the men do? V10
They gnawed their tongues with pain. These had deceived the people
with their words, produced by their tongues, into worshipping the
beast and not God.
See Rev 13:14. Deceive - #4105 – cause to roam from safety, truth or
virtue - KJV - go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.
See Rev 2:18-20 the church at Thyatira seduced
Their tongues produced the lies that they used to persecute and kill
Christians.
They blasphemed the God of heaven (specific). The language here
similar to verse 8 & 9.
Blaspheme- #987 – to vilify, speak impiously,..defame, rail, revile,
speak evil.
When God is defamed, railed on, reviled, or accused of evil, He is
blasphemed.
1 John 1:5 – no darkness in God
James 1:13-17 – Father of lights
c. What did the men NOT do? V11
They did not repent. God always gives men the opportunity to repent.
He has no pleasure in the death of the unrepentant per Ezek 18:30-32
and 2 Pet 3:9.
3. What did the 6th angel/messenger do with his vial? V12
He poured it out upon the great river Euphrates, and it dried up.
a. Is this literal or figurative? Explain.
This continues to be figurative as most previously have been.

6. 6
Jere 50:35-38 – the coming destruction of Babylon
Jere 51:36-37 – Babylon again
b. What is being prepared?
This is a reference to where Israel’s enemies of old came from. They
came from the east, crossing the Euphrates on the way. God was in
control of the situation. Nothing would prevent Him from completing
His vengeance (Lk 21:22) upon those that shed the blood of the
righteous ones and prophets He sent per verse 6 and Matt 23:34-36.
4. List each thing mentioned in verses 13 & 14.
Three unclean spirits like frogs – Ref to Ex 8:2 – there was an Egyptian
female goddess, Hekt with a frog’s head, symbol of fertility and birth.
Roman fertility goddess was Ceres. Among the false manmade gods
One out of the mouth of the dragon. One out of the mouth of the
beast One out of the mouth of the false prophet
a. What does each represent? Similar terms and wording elsewhere
will help.
Mouth of the dragon – Rev 12:9 – Satan. John 8:44 liar and the father
of it.
Mouth of the beast – Rev 13:1 – Rome, its rulers
Mouth of the false prophet – Mat 24:11 & 23-25 – Jesus’ reference and
warning
Identified as spirits of demons that work miracles (#4592- signs,
wonders) and go forth to the kings of the earth (local authorities in
Israel like Herod) and the whole world (Roman authorities/rulers) who
were serving Satan, the serpent, not God. The mouth is where the lies
came out of.
1 John 4:1-6 – believe not every spirit
2 Thess 2:1-12 lying wonders (#4592)
2 Cor 11:13-15 – not always so easy to detect
b. What are they preparing for?
The great day of God Almighty. See 16:5-7 which is a response to the
prayer of Rev 6:9-11 and fulfillment of what Jesus said in Matt 23:35-
36.

7. 7
See Zech 14:1-2 – Jerusalem taken when the day of the Lord comes.
5. Is this the first time that the idea of coming as a thief is mentioned
in Revelation?
No. See Rev 3:3. Also previously in
Matt 24:43-44 …therefore be ye also ready
Lk 12:39-40 be ye therefore ready for you know not when your Lord
comes
1 Thess 5:2-3 the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night
2 Pet 3:10 the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night
a. Who is to be blessed?
He that watches and keeps his garments. Again, this looks like a
specific reference to what Jesus said to some in the church at Sardis in
Rev 3:4 and 3:18. This then places these events directly in the time of
the people in the first century, not our time.
b. Explain what this means.
Lk 12;37-40 be ye also ready
These are those servants who are ready when their Lord comes
1 Pet 3:15 ready to give an answer
Tit 3:1 ready to every good work
2 Tim 4:6 ready to be offered as Paul was
John 8:31-32 if you continue in my word
c. Where are they gathered? V16
They are gathered in a place in Hebrew that is Armageddon or
Megiddo/Megiddon
d. Look up Megiddo or Megiddon in your concordance. What
happens there?
Judges 5:19 Barak and Deborah led Israel against the Canaanites
there
2 Kings 9:27 – Ahaziah king of Judah died there
2 Kings 23:29-30 king Josiah was killed there
Is 13:9 – the day of the Lord cometh. V17 the Medes against V1
Babylon

8. 8
Zech 12:11 a mourning for the land for the coming day of the Lord
upon Jerusalem per Zech 14:1-2 which fits the destruction of
Jerusalem in AD70.
C. Verses 17-21
1. Where was the 7th
vial poured?
Into the air – Air is needed for life and is everywhere in the world.
Rev 9:2 sun and air darkened
Eph 2:2 prince of the power of the air
Eph 6:12 against spiritual wickedness in high places
a. What does this signify?
Life is the final vial poured upon the kingdom of Satan. The persecutors
are going to die. Fleshly Israel had gotten Rome, who was serving Satan,
to crucify their Messiah. Their punishment was now at hand. Again, the
Roman government was largely following Satan with their emperor
worship. God would punish Israel using Satan’s own followers – Caesar
Nero, Titus the general. We know that Rome would ultimately fall as well,
as all wicked kingdoms/governments do as already recorded in the Old
Testament. So, Rome’s ultimate destruction doesn’t have to be illustrated
specifically here.
Is 26:13-14 other lords have had dominion over us…they are
dead..thou ..destroyed them.
Jesus’ kingdom/church and His followers continue.
Dan 2:44 set up a kingdom that shall never end
Dan 7:13-14, 27 everlasting dominion, ..everlasting kingdom
Lk 1:33 of His kingdom there shall be no end
1 Cor 15:24-26 He must reign till last enemy, death is destroyed
b. Where did the voice come from and what did it say? Explain
Out of the temple of heaven, from the throne. It is specified so there
is no misunderstanding where the order came from,
It said, “It is done”.
This is connected to verses 9 and 11. God always gives people and
nations an opportunity to repent.

9. 9
2 Pet 3:9-10 not willing for any to perish. But there comes a time when
there is no more opportunity for repentance.
Prior to the flood while Noah built the ark
Israel before the captivity
Israel between AD 33 and AD70.
But now, It is done. There is no more delay. Time for Israel to pay for
the murders of the prophets God sent over the centuries and other
righteous servants and the Messiah..
c. What else is mentioned?
Voices - #5496 – phone – 55 times in Rev out of 139 in the NT
Thunders – #1027 - bronte – 10 times in Revelation out of 12 in the NT
Lightnings - #796 – astrape - 4 times in Rev out of 9 in the NT
Earthquake - #4578 – seismos – 7 times in Rev out of 14 times in NT
d. Is this earthquake literal? Explain.
No. In keeping with the theme of Revelation set down in Rev 1:1 -
things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it
by his angel unto his servant John: KJV Many physical things
mentioned are not literal. The context and use by prophets in the OT
dictate our understanding.
This great earthquake had to do with the impending fall of Jerusalem
and the Jewish nation. See the following use in figurative language by
Isaiah, same city.
Is 29:1-8 – Fall of Ariel (Jerusalem) where David dwelt…thou shalt be
brought down …visited of the Lord with thunder and an earthquake-
by Babylon.
e. What city is being talked about?
The great city, the same one in verse 18 – Babylon is mentioned as
coming in remembrance ( #3415 – the idea of a fixture in the mind, or
mental grasp; to bear in mind, i.e. recollect; by impl. Reward or
punish) before God.
See Is 14:4-24 for the record of the punishment of the Babylonian
empire. As Babylon was punished, so will the nation of Israel.
The city is Jerusalem as in Rev 17:6 drunken with the blood of the
saints

10. 10
Rev 11:8 spiritually called Sodom and Egypt
Rev 6:9-11 How long..
Matt 23:34-36 Jesus’ prophesy
a. What was she given?
The great city divided into 3 parts
Ezek 5:1-17 Babylon’s attack upon Jerusalem previews the Roman
destruction
See verse 12 for the 3 parts – each part signifies aspects of the siege –
pestilence, famine, death by the sword
Rev 16:19 to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his
wrath.
God’s judgment - DONE
b. Where else is this mentioned?
Rev 14:10 & 19 – wine of the wrath of God …winepress of the wrath of
God
Ps 75:8 - in the hand of the LORD there is a cup …
Is 51:17 – Jerusalem … drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his
fury;
Jer 25:15 Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand,
f. List each item mentioned in verses 20 and 21.
Islands – Rev 6:14
Mountains – Rev 6:14
Men – Rev 16:9 & 11
Hail – Rev 11:19
Plague – Rev 9:20; 11:6; 15:1, 6, 8; 16:9
God – Rev 11:19
Blasphemy – Rev 16:9 & 11
a. Are these mentioned elsewhere in Revelation?
See above.
b. Are they literal or figurative?
The men, God and blasphemy are literal.
The rest are figurative expressions.
c. Explain their significance.

11. 11
They signify the permanent destruction of Israel as a theocracy. God’s
city and temple and nation were about to be destroyed. This would be
the end of the remaining physical portions of the Old Covenant. It
could no longer be practiced.
Col 2:14 the ordinances themselves had been nailed to the cross
Heb 9:16 New covenant instituted at the death of the testator – Jesus
Heb 10:9 the first taken away to establish the second
Jesus’ new instructions were per:
Matt 28:18-20 into all the world and preach the gospel
John 4:23-24 worship of God must be in spirit and in truth