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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Revelation 16
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Rev_15:1 to Rev_16:21
A. The seven bowls which are introduced in Revelation 15 and described in Revelation 16 are the third in a set of three cycles of divine plagues sent for the purpose of redemption (cf. Rev_9:20-21; Rev_14:6-7; Rev_16:9; Rev_16:11). Each cycle gets progressively more severe: 1/4, 1/3, and total destruction (the judgment and isolation of evil). This is possibly based on "the cursing and blessing" section of Deuteronomy 27-28.
B. There is a literary relationship between these cycles. The seventh seal is the seven trumpets. The first four trumpets are also directly parallel to the first four bowls.
C. The seventh bowl is the fall of Babylon, which is a symbol of fallen human society organized and functioning apart from God. In John's day it was Rome. In Daniel 2 each successive world empire becomes more and more anti-God until the last world-wide, anti-God empire in which the Messiah is born which is Rome (see Introduction to Daniel 8, hyperlink.
D. Chapters 15 and 16 draw their imagery from the Exodus experience of Israel (as did Revelation 12-14). This end-time deliverance from evil is seen as the ultimate Exodus (i.e., deliverance).
E. The beasts and the whore of Babylon (rebellious human society) are defeated at Armageddon (Rev_16:12-16), while Satan is defeated along with Gog and Magog (rebellious humans) at the very end (cf. Rev_20:7-10). The Second Coming of Christ in Revelation 19 is an extension and fulfillment of the seventh seal and the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl judgments. This is God's answer to the martyrs' question of Rev_6:9-11.
F. The difficulties in interpreting these end-time battles are:
1. The type of literature in which they are expressed, apocalyptic/prophetic.
2. They are dealt with in successive stages, cycles, or dramatic acts.
3. There is fluidity between the groups and symbols.
4. There is difficulty separating first century fulfillment from end-time fulfillment.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. What does the "sea of glass" symbolize?
2. Why does God show John a vision of the heavenly tabernacle?
3. List the similarities between the seals, trumpets, the bowls, and the plagues of Egypt.
4. How are the kings of the east in Rev_6:12 related to the kings of the whole earth in Rev_6:14?
5. What or where is Armageddon? (Rev_16:16)
6. To what does the "great city" refer? (Rev. 6:19)