Vile Vials

Image used by permission of artist Pat Marvenko Smith, Copyright 1992.
Visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site at https://revelationillustrated.com/.

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. (Revelation 16:1)

In the words of an old country-western song, “Turn out the lights; the party’s over.” According to my understanding, we have arrived at the final 21 months of the seven-year Tribulation. The first three and one-half years brought the seven seal judgments.[1] When Jesus, the Lamb, breaks open the seventh seal, the seven trumpets begin to sound.[2] Around the midpoint of the Tribulation, according to Daniel the Prophet, the Antichrist, a.k.a. the Beast, defiles the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. If he was not recognized when he confirmed “the covenant” securing peace for Israel, which initiated the seven-year Tribulation, there will be no doubt about his identity at this time.[3]

As we follow the progression of the judgments, we notice that they become increasingly severe. At the same time, there is no indication that one judgment ends when another begins. With a few exceptions, the effects of the judgments continue throughout the Tribulation period. There are wars, economic collapses, famines, pandemics, natural disasters, and more, and now things are about to get worse.

“And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever” (Revelation 15:7, emphasis mine). John does not tell us which of the four beasts gives the seven vials (or “bowls”) to the angels, but I think it might be the third beast having “a face as a man.”[4] I come to that conclusion because the judgments that come upon the earth, while they affect all of nature, are aimed at a sinful and rebellious human race. The other beasts (lion, calf, and eagle) represent the animal kingdom which does not have a sin nature. “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” (Revelation 16:1). Here it comes!

“And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image” (Revelation 16:2, emphasis mine). This “grievous sore” only affects those having the “mark of the beast.” With the advancement of modern technology, things like RFID chips, which can be embedded under the skin, or quantum dot tattoos[5] (that can not only contain all of one’s personal information, including health, financial, and social credit records, but they can be tracked) already exist and can easily be used as “the mark of the beast.” Because these things penetrate the body, it is possible that the human body will react to the foreign invader and produce these sores. In the case of the quantum dot tattoos, right now they are being promoted as a way to vaccinate people while also providing proof of vaccination. Many of the proposed vaccines of the mRNA type have the potential of modifying a person’s DNA. I have heard that altering a person’s DNA by only one percent renders them no longer human. If that is true, that person (being no longer human) loses any possibility for salvation – Jesus died for humans. Also, considering that only those with the “mark” contract these horrible sores implies that not all earth dwellers take the mark of the beast. These are either Tribulation saints that have survived in the midst of all these judgments or those who potentially will be saved before Christ returns.

“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea” (Revelation 16:3, emphasis mine). The sea does not turn into blood; “it became as blood,” which suggests some sort of pollution. When the second trumpet sounded, a third part of the sea was turned to blood.[6] However, here all the ocean waters are affected; all marine life dies. Imagine the stench of the rotting flesh and the potential for the spread of diseases!

“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood” (Revelation 16:4, emphasis mine). Here the waters are turned into blood, just like in the plagues of Egypt.[7] In that case, the plague lasted only seven days; here there is no indication of cessation. What does one drink when there is no water to drink? All soft drinks are made with water. Alcoholic drinks do not quench thirst, and worse, they promote dehydration. Then imagine the chaos resulting from an intoxicated population! Milk might work, but the climate alarmists want to do away with cows, so that option may not be available.

While things here on earth are dire, in heaven God’s righteousness is acknowledged and celebrated. “And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments” (Revelation 16:5-7, emphasis mine). To us, the judgment may seem like cruel and unusual punishment, but God is always righteous in all of His acts. I have often stressed God’s mercy, even during this time of Great Tribulation. He gives mankind every opportunity to repent, but they rebelliously continue to reject Him. Even when they recognized that the judgments are from God, they curse God rather than repent.

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory” (Revelation 16:8-9, emphasis mine). The adage “When you’re in a hole, stop digging” is lost on these people. The fact that they have already pledged their allegiance to the Antichrist has sealed their doom. They are beyond redemption.

“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds” (Revelation 16:10-11, emphasis mine). Notice that this darkness is localized. It is only “upon the seat of the beast,” or the capital of the Antichrist. There is debate as to where his seat will be located. Some think that his capital will be in Rome, the seat of the old Roman Empire. Others suggest that it might be Jerusalem since it is there where he desecrates the Temple.[8] Still others believe it is literal Babylon as we shall see later. The argument against today’s Babylon is that it is insignificant on the world stage, unlike its historical past. However, considering modern technology, any place can serve as a control center; so why not Babylon? Wherever “the beast” chooses to make his capital, it will experience such a dreadful darkness that it causes the inhabitants to “gnaw their tongues for pain.”

“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. 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. 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” (Revelation 16:12-14, emphasis mine).

If I have not done so in previous articles, I need to make it clear now. The Antichrist will not rule the entire world. He wants to, but he will not achieve his goal. The Asian nations, China, North Korea, India, Pakistan, and many of Muslim nations, will oppose his rule. The Muslim nations, because they are monotheistic, will reject him when he demands to be worshipped as God. China and many other Asian nations desire their own domination of the world. They do not want to submit to the leadership of “the West.” These “kings of the east” will be enticed by the demonic spirits sent by the “unholy trinity” (the dragon, the beast, the false prophet) to come against the Antichrist. He thinks he will finally crush his opposition, but little does he know that this is God’s doing “to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” We learn in the next verses that this is the infamous “Battle of Armageddon.”

Jesus speaks now. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Revelation 16:15). He is not speaking to the Church because the Church is with Him in heaven. No, this is addressed to those saints that are suffering through the Tribulation. They are studying this book. They see the signs. They know the sequence of events. They know what comes next. They are watching. They know that they need to hang on for just 21 more months. Jesus here encourages them to remain steadfast and faithful in their trials. They will be blessed, as they watch the heaven split open and their long-awaited Lord descend on a white horse followed by all of His saints. Hang in there, Saints! It will not be much longer. Jesus comes “as a thief,” but not to these saints; they are expecting Him. The sudden surprise of His appearing is reserved for God rejecting sinners.

“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (Revelation 16:16). God is the one gathering all the armies of the world into this one valley. The name in Hebrew means Mount Megiddo and it actually refers to the valley north of this mountain. “This valley in northern Israel extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Joran River south of Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee). It covers an area of roughly 380 square kilometers or 146.7 square miles. The blood of Jesus’ enemies will fill this “winepress” as high as a horse’s bridle. It is “the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:15).”[9]

“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” (Revelation 16:17, emphasis mine). That is it! It is over! What follows describes the result of this final battle.

“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. 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. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 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” (Revelation 16:18-21, emphasis mine).

Earthquakes of 5.5 magnitude and above are on the increase albeit rarely publicized and occurring in locations where earthquakes are rare. The earth is groaning. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). At the beginning of the Tribulation when the sixth seal is opened, we are told that there was “a great earthquake” great enough to blot out the sun and turn the moon blood red.[10] So great is this earthquake that it causes heaven to appear as if it is rolled up like a scroll. That earthquake is small compared to this one. This one is greater even than those that split the “fountains of the deep” at the time of the Great Flood.[11] The earthquake causes “the great city” (Jerusalem) to split three ways. This will not be a localized earthquake. It will eradicate islands and demolish mountains. The tectonic upheaval created by this earthquake will spawn volcanoes worldwide, spewing dust and ash high into the atmosphere. Increased evaporation from superheated oceans will send water vapors high into the atmosphere to return to the earth as massive hailstones weighing in excess of 120 pounds.

Men on earth recognize that these things are truly “an act of God,” and rather than repent, they curse and blaspheme God. The text says that at this time “Babylon came in remembrance before God.” That does not mean God had forgotten and then suddenly said, “Oh yeah! I forgot about Babylon.” No, God’s timing is always perfect, and He does not forget (which, by the way, is why hell is eternal. Sin offends the Eternal God eternally and the only remedy is the sin-atoning, sin-covering blood of Jesus.). The time has come for Babylon to be judged. We will see that in the chapters that follow.

I take no pleasure when I think about the horrors that will come upon mankind during the Tribulation. That is why I am writing this series on the Book of Revelation. I hope that my efforts will lead as least some to avoid the judgments that are coming. And, if they do not heed the warnings before the Rapture of the Church and the coming Tribulation, perhaps they will reconsider during the Tribulation while they still have a chance. Reader, if you do not know the Savior, do not wait any longer. The time is short. Please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”