REVELATION CHAPTER 16
The message of this chapter is that there will be great destruction before the Millennium begins. Read D&C 97:22-25; D&C 112:24-26; 1 Nephi 22:16-25 and D&C 45:65-71. Look for damage to the ecology.
“Some commentators believe the judgments in this chapter are a repetition of the plagues seen in Revelation 8, 9, and 11. That is one possible reading; there are remarkable parallels between the two sections. But it seems more likely that Revelation 16 represents a later and more severe occurrence of plagues. In Revelation 8, for instance, a third of the sea become blood and a third of the creatures in the sea die (8:8-9). But in 16, all the sea become blood and all creatures therein die (16:3). A comparison of the plagues in both sections shows a similar progression-as God continues to plead with and to punish the earth through his judgments, those judgments become more severe.” (Parry, p. 202)
The 4 elements of the ancient world can be traced in this chapter. These were the 4 basic elements of life. People once believed that all things were composed of earth (vs. 2), water (vs. 3,4), fire [the sun}(vs. 8), and air (vs. 17).
Verse 1 - Look out! Here come the 7 angels with stuff in their bowls that were mentioned in 15:1.
Verse 2 - Similar to the 6th plague (boils) of Ex. 9: 8-12. Could it be a nuclear war? See D&C 29:19 (skin falls from the body) and Zech. 14:12. It will be interesting to see how God protects those who do not have the mark of the beast.
Verse 3 - A person’s blood gives life to the body as water gives life to the world. A dead man’s blood is corrupted and no longer sustains life. Similar to 1st plague of Ex. 7:19-21 (water to blood). See also D&C 61:4-5;14-16. (danger in water)
“IN VERSE THREE, THE LORD INCORPORATES AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL IN CONSTRUCTING HIS MESSAGE. IN CHAPTER 13, THE FIRST MONSTER AROSE FROM THE SEA. THERE THE TERM SEA DENOTED A LARGE SEGMENT OF SOCIETY OUT OF WHOSE UPHEAVALS THE BEAST CAME. IN 17:15 AN ANGEL STATES THAT THE WATERS “ARE PEOPLES, AND MULTITUDES, AND NATIONS, AND TONGUES”. HERE, IN VERSE 3, THE SEA MAY HAVE A DOUBLE CONNOTATION: THE REAL SEA, AND A SPIRITUALLY DEAD SOCIETY THAT HAS ABANDONED ITSELF TO IDOLATRY AND IMMORALITY. AS ONE SCHOLAR HAS NOTED; “IN SUCH A SOCIETY, MORALS DECLINE TO THE LOWEST LEVEL; THE FAMILY COLLAPSES, SCHOOLS BREED ANARCHY AND REBELLION, BUSINESS ETHICS ARE FORGOTTEN, ENTERTAINMENT BECOMES BASE AND SORDID, AND PRINTING PRESSES EXUDE SMUT AND FILTH, UNTIL THE WHOLE IS STRANGLED IN ITS OWN DEATH BLOOD AND SUFFOCATED BY ITS OWN STENCH.” (DRAPER, P. 174-75)
Vs. 4 - The third angel’s plague is similar to the 2nd.
Vs. 5 - Anciently, the Jews believed that different angels had charge of different elements of nature. In this verse we see the “water angel”. In 7:1-the “wind angel” and in 14:18 the “fire angel.”
Vs. 6- What prophets have been killed? 1 Kings 18:13- Jezebel slew prophets; 2 Chron. 24:20-21Zechariah killed by King Joash; Mark 6:25-28-John the Baptist; Acts 7:57-60-Stephen; Acts 12:1-2 James, the brother of John; Rev. 2:13-Antipas from Pergamos; Rev. 11:7-Two prophets in Jerusalem; Mosiah 17- Abinadi; Alma 25:7-Lamanites by children of Amulon and other Priests; Matt. 23:29-38 (34)-Zacharias and others; Matt. 24:9 -Apostles; D&C 135-Joseph & Hyrum
Joseph was in conversation with some of the militia officers in Carthage. “General Smith asked them if there was anything in his appearance that indicated he was the desperate character his enemies represented him to be;. The reply was, ‘No, sir, General Smith; but we cannot see what is in your heart,.’ To which Joseph replied, ‘Very true, gentlemen, you cannot see what is in my heart, but I can see what is in your hearts, and will tell you what I see. I can see that you thirst for blood, and nothing but my blood will satisfy you. It is not for crime that I and my brethren are thus continually persecuted, but there are other motives, and inasmuch as you and the people thirst for blood, I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that you shall witness scenes of blood and sorrow to your entire satisfaction. Your souls shall be perfectly satiated with blood, and many of you who are now present shall have an opportunity to face the canon’s mouth from sources you think not of; and those people that desire this great evil upon me and my brethren, shall be filled with regret and sorrow because of the scenes of desolation and distress that await them. They shall seek for peace, and shall not be able to find it.” (DHC 6:566) This prophecy was fulfilled during the Civil War.
Water being turned to blood demonstrates the bloodthirsty nature of men and nations. (W) See Moroni 9:5-Thirst for blood continually. To be drunk with blood signifies slaughter by the sword. Vs. 7- Another witness who says God's judgments are just
Vs. 8 - the Fourth plague - In 7:16 the righteous were give protection from the sun. A nuclear war could destroy the ozone protection.
Note that 3 Nephi 9:9 indicates that the people of Jacobugath were destroyed by fire because their wickedness exceeded all other.
Vs. 9 - See D&C 64:23-24 or Fire Protection by paying tithing. (I will burn them up. I will not spare any who remain in Babylon.)
Vs. 10 - The 5th plague is directed at the seat or throne or headquarters of the beast. It reminds us of the 9th plague in Egypt. (Exodus 10:21-23). The darkness may be a spiritual darkness. For a scene even worse than gnawing their tongues for pain see Isaiah 9:19-20. (Eat own flesh)
Vs. 11 - In 9:20-21, the Beast was speaking Blasphemy. Now man has become like the Beast he serves.
There are over 50 different interpretations as to what it might mean that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. It appears that these Kings are the enemies of the people of the God of Israel.
Mike Wilcox likes to compare it to the story of how Persia (from the East) under Cyrus, captured Babylon by diverting the waters of the Euphrates River into a lake and were able to walk on dry ground into Babylon via the river bed.
In 9:14 the great river Euphrates is changed by the JST to the “bottomless pit.”
Vs. 13 - The 3 unclean spirits are agents of the unholy godhead, IE. the dragon, beast and false prophet.
An interesting parallel story is shared by Wilcox from 1 Kings 22, about how false prophets promised Ahab victory against Ramoth in Gilead. See especially vss. 6,8,13,19-23.
Sadam Hussein also appeared to be a frog out of Satan’s mouth as he promised victory and protection from God to his people at the beginning of the 2nd Gulf War in March, 2003.
Vs. 14 - Miracles of Satan and God are often indistinguishable to the outward senses. The Spirit of God is necessary. See D&C 50:1-3
Vs. 15 - an interjection for the righteous. See also 3:3-5 & Alma 7:25 for other references about keeping garments clean.
Vs. 16 - Armageddon = Har (hill) Megiddo, about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. It is an Historical battlefield, IE, Tuthmosis 1468 BC; Lord Allenby 1917 AD; Barak & Deborah Judges 4-5; Gideon, Judges 7; Saul & Jonathon 1 Sam. 31:1-6; Josiah vs. Egypt 2 Kings 23:29-30; Final Battle, Zech. 14:2-5. It can be thus seen as a symbol for all battles vs. Righteousness as represented Mount Zion. Another scriptural warning about war in the latter days is found in D&C 87. The contrast is found in the Olive leaf of D&C 88.
"The kings of the earth and of the whole world will gather to fight the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Their command center will be at Armageddon, overlooking the valley of Megiddo. All nations will be gathered against Jerusalem. Two hundred thousand thousand warriors and more-two hundred million men of arms and more-shall come forth to conquer or die on the plains of Esdraelon and in all the nations of the earth. At the height of this war, the Lord Jesus will put his foot on the Mount of Olives and save his ancient covenant people. This is truth will be a worldwide conflict; the sword that is wielded in the mountains of Israel will be the same sword that slays men in all nations." (BRM, Millennial Messiah, 476, 484-85)
Vs. 17 - the 7th vial going into the air. Would indicate a completeness effecting the whole world. The voice from the throne would be that of God the Father.
Vs. 18 – This is the 3rd earthquake mentioned in the Book of Revelation. The first was in 6:12 during the 6th thousand years. The earthquake of 1:13-14 is to take place in the 1st part of the 7th 1000 years. This earthquake is so great it seems to flatten mountains- see vs. 20. See also D&C 133:21-25
Vs. 19 - the Great City is Babylon. In Ezek. 5:3, God showed Israel what Babylon would do to them by having Ezekiel shave his beard and hair and divide it into three pieces. Now God is telling Babylon how they will be divided into three pieces and destroyed. (W) See D&C 87:6
Vs. 20 - See the 10th article of Faith. Remember Peleg and look at D&C 49:23; 109:74; 133:19-24
Vs. 21 - See Josh. 10:11 & D&C 29:16
A talent weighed between 45-90 pounds. The BD says 75.6 pounds. Draper says 60-80 lbs. Millet says 45-100 lbs.
Remember the lies coming out of the mouth of the dragon, beast and false prophet which convinced the kings of the earth to gather and fight the battle that they could not win!
