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 The
descriptions of the sixth and seventh plagues have attracted a great deal
of speculation. The battle of Armageddon is thought to be a military conflict
involving Israel and the Arabs or other nations. I see it as the last struggle
between Christ and Satan for the souls of people. I expect that there will
be chaos and bloodshed.
While
the plagues come after the close of probation or after its close for those
who are ready to give the final warning, they picture events of this final
period. The sixth plague pictures the final struggle. |
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| .Re 16:12 ¶ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. | Sixth
angel As with the sixth seal and the sixth trumpet, the sixth plague
deals with the critical time of the final decisions of the people of the
world to follow the popular way of darkness or the straight and narrow
way of truth.
Euphrates We consider the river in the context of the fall of Babylon which pictures the fall of spiritual Babylon v19. The "drying up" helps us understand. See note 12dup. Compare is4427. See note 12a. Kings of the east See note 12b. |
| .13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. | Unclean
spirits We find several stories where Jesus cast out such spirits.
mr0123,
mr05,
and see re1802.
See note 13a.
Out of the mouth of The evil partners have a hypnotic power over the world. See note 13b. Dragon ... beast ...false prophet We see the three-part power in more places than this verse. See table. |
| .14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. | Devils
working miracles Or "demons performing signs" to convince the kings.
See the miracles also in re1313,
re1920,
2th0209.
Kings ... whole world See note 14. Battle of that great day Or "the day of the Lord." re1414, v12, re1714, re1911. It would seem counterproductive for the devils to gather the kings to be defeated. Satan is counting on this prophecy not being fulfilled. See note 16a. |
| .15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. | Thief
Why is this warning here? See notes.
Garments Of Christ's righteousness is6110. See note page 15b.... |
| 16
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue
Armageddon.
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Place
From topos which may mean "situation." See its use in ac2516
as "license" and in he1217.
"Mageddon," the last part of the cryptic word, comes from mo'ed
which means "congregation." See it in ex2721,
ex2843,
le2302,
la0115.
This points to the conflict between Christ and Satan. See har-mo'ed
as "mount of the congregation" in is1413.
I have followed the geographical interpretation but the "conflict" track
may be better or perhaps both provide light for understanding this verse.
[How we can be ready] Note 16b. Hebrew tongue Note 16c. |
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| 17 ¶ And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. | Into
the air Curse on Satan's domain and the unholy spirit (Spirit, air,
and breath are from the same Greek word). See note
17a.
Temple Place of judgment It is done See the interesting connection with chapter 10, note 17b. |
| .18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. | Voices ... earthquake World trouble re0701 as well as a physical shaking. See note 18. |
| .19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. | Great city ... divided See note 19. Also see the table showing the three-part alliance or coalition in other passages. |
| 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. | Every island ... mountains Total chaos, but God will protect his faithful ones ps04602. Also note 20. |
| .21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. | Hail ... men blasphemed Not even the "exceeding[ly] great hail will bring confession from the wicked. See note 21. |
