CHAPTER SIXTEEN - THE WRATH OF GOD IS POURED OUT UPON THE EARTH - DAY OF ATONEMENT

NOTE: “…the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. Col 3:6

“For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord…” 1 Thess 5:9

Believers go through this period but they are not afflicted with God’s wrath unless they are disobedient false Christians. Believers are persecuted and martyred, but they are not appointed to the wrath of God as the wicked are. Persecution is trial by fire--and fire purifies--it burns away the dross--it makes the bride spotless.

16:1-2 John hears a great voice coming out of the temple telling the angels to go their way and pour out the vials of wrath upon the earth. The announcement in the previous chapter is now being carried out. The first angel pours out his vial and grievous sores come upon those who have the mark of the beast.

If the mark of the beast is an implant beneath the skin these sores could be related to that. There have already been reports of sores and infections in implants in people. This could be sores under the skin. In reality, it is probably futile to try and figure out what the mark of the beast is at this time. The “image” of the beast is in reality the “image” of the deception of this false religious system. Sores are often a type of uncleaness--sinners are unclean in God’s eyes. Prior to entering the Holy of Holies the High Priest was required to wash and put on clean clothes.

16:3-7 The second angel pours his vial on the sea and it becomes as the blood of a dead man. All creatures in the sea die. The third angel pours out his vial in the rivers and fountains and they become blood. The angel of the waters proclaims God’s righteous judgment on men because they have killed God’s saints and prophets. They now have blood to drink themselves.

In the natural these wraths could be oil spills or nuclear contamination. Spiritually they could indicate civil unrest, rioting, and deadly warfare. Often seas indicate many nations or people. Many people could be experiencing civil war and war. This could also be people turning against the religious system--the provider of water--poisoned water.

16:8-9 The fourth angel pours out his vial upon the sun and men are scorched with fire, heat, and blasphemed God and still they did not repent. Men still curse God and refuse to repent. This plague could be weather related. Sun storms, drought, excessive heat, no power to cool homes and business. Climate change could create excessive heat. It could also be the fire of war.

16:9-10 The fifth angel pours out his vial on the seat of the beast and his kingdom is full of darkness. Once again men curse God because of their sores and pains and refuse to repent. The seat of power--the Beast, is losing control--anarchy. The world is falling into darkness.

16:10-14 The sixth angel pours out his vial upon the river Euphrates and it dries up! This prepares the way for the kings of the east to come to the middle east for a final battle. Unclean spirits that look like frogs come out of the mouth of the beast and the false prophet performing miracles. They are demons gathering the nations to do battle on the great day of the Almighty. The demons are in a panic, jumping like scared frogs! Their time is short!

Today if the Euphrates dried up and nations came from the east they would be China, Russia, and other Islamic goat nations in a coalition of nations. Today China is the rising power in the world. Russia is also a major supplier of energy to much of Europe (gas and oil). China and Russia are currently forming alliances with each other and Muslim countries in their region. If the Beast is a German led power I could easily see conflict between the German led Beast and the kings of the east. It could be about energy in addition to the main prize: Jerusalem. Everyone wants Jerusalem: The Muslims, the Vatican, and the Jews!

Islamic nations that were not defeated in the war That divides Jerusalem would most likely be aligned with this new coalition of nations. The Kings of the East.

16:15-16 The Lord warns He is coming as the thief in the night! He warns the believers to watch and keep pure in this

turbulent time. The nations are gathered into the Valley of Jezreel also known as Armageddon. Daniel 11:44-45, Daniel 12:1-4

I believe the Lord is giving his people a tip off here
of His impending return! He says He is coming like a thief, stay clean, and then He mentions Armageddon. Har means mountain, Megiddo is the name of the city. Har-Megiddo. If you stand on Mt. Carmel in Israel you see this valley spread out below. Millions of soldiers could fight in this valley. I was there and saw it. When we see the armies gather we know the time of His return in the clouds is very near!

16:17-21 The seventh angel pours his vial into the air and a voice out of heaven says it is done. Voices, thunder, lightening, and a great earthquake take place. The earthquake breaks the great Mystery Babylon into three parts. Cities in many nations collapse. Hail falls from heaven with great force and men curse God and refuse to repent.

The great battle is taking place, the earth is shaken. Nations and cities are collapsing. The beast system is being destroyed along with the kings of the east. After man has destroyed himself in war great hail falls. I believe this is about the time the Lord appears. Rev 19:11-16 This is when I believe we meet Him in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4.15-17 The resurrection of the dead and rapture take place together! Key witness chapter to read is ISAIAH 24