Revelation 16:8-12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:10

The seat of the beast - Επι τον θρονον του θηριου· Upon the throne of the wild beast. The regal family was smitten by the fourth vial; they did not repent: then the fifth angel pours out his vial on the throne of the wild beast, or antichristian idolatrous power. Was full of darkness - Confusion, dismay, and distress. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:11

Blasphemed the God of heaven - Neither did they repent; therefore other judgments must follow. Some think that the sun was Vitellius, the Roman emperor, and that his throne means Rome; and the darkening refers to the injuries she sustained in her political consequence by the civil wars which then took place, from which she never entirely recovered. Others apply it all to papal Rome, and in this respect make out a very clear case! Thus have men conjectured, but how much nearer are we to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:12

Upon the great river Euphrates - Probably meaning the people in the vicinity of this river; though some think that the Tiber is intended. The water thereof was dried up - The people discomfited, and all impediments removed. The kings of the east - There seems to be an allusion here to the ruin of Babylon by Cyrus, predicted by the Prophet Jeremiah, Jeremiah 50:1-51:64. But what city or people is pointed out by this Babylon it is in vain to conjecture. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:1-11

The first five bowls. While we by no means follow the historical interpreters of this book in the attempt to identify any chronological sequence of actual events with the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls, respectively, yet (as is well pointed out by Professor Godet £ ) there is undoubtedly a moral progression indicated. The seal points out an event concealed as yet, but foreseen by God. The trumpet points out an event announced as forthcoming. The bowl points out the event in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:1-21

Trumpets. 1. Hail, fire, and blood cast upon THE EARTH ; one third trees, etc., burnt. 2. One third of SEA made blood; one third of creatures therein and of ships destroyed. 3. One third of the RIVERS made bitter; many men destroyed. 4. One third of the SUN , etc. smitten; one third of the day darkened. 5. Star from heaven falls into the ABYSS ; he sends forth locusts; men seek death; Hebrew name of their king is Abaddon. 6. Armies from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:1-21

"The seven vials:" predestined suffering in the government of the world. "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went," etc. "It is incredible," says Bishop Horsley, "to any one who has not made the experiment, what proficiency may be made by studying the Scriptures without any other commentary or exposition than what the different parts of the sacred volume naturally... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:8

And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun. ἀγγέλος , "angel," is omitted in nearly all manuscripts, though, of course, it is understood. For the first time we have ἐπί , "upon," instead of εἰς . "into" (see on Revelation 16:2 ). Another part of creation is visited, thus completing the visitation of the fourfold division of the universe—the earth, the sea, the rivers, the heavens—as foretold in Revelation 14:7 . And power was given unto him to scorch men with fire ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:9

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the Name of God. The men (see on Revelation 16:8 ). (On the meaning of the first clause, see on Revelation 16:8 .) This is the first mention in the vials of men blaspheming. As with Pharaoh and the Egyptians, the judgments of God, instead of awakening them to repentance, only serve to harden their hearts. This again occurs under the fifth and seventh vials. So also in the sixth trumpet, we are told, men repented not—a statement also... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:9

The hardened heart. "They repented not to give him glory." This impenitence is told of in Revelation 9:20 , and in this chapter again at Revelation 9:11 and Revelation 9:21 . This repeated reference is designed to, as it well may, impress our minds with a fact at once so sinful, so solemn, and so sad. For such impenitence is— I. A VERY CERTAIN FACT . The late Mr. Kingsley, in his book, 'The Roman and the Teuton,' draws out at length the evidence both of the horrible... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 16:10

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast. Omit "angel" as before (see on Revelation 16:8 ). The throne of the beast. That throne which had been given to him by the dragon ( Revelation 13:2 ), and which here typifies the centre and source of his power. While this throne may aptly refer to the Roman empire in St. John's time, its position varies at different times; wherever the world power is worshipped, there the beast has his throne. And his kingdom was... read more

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