Rev 16:13-21 | RWP | e4.org | Coming out of ( εκ alone, no participle ερχομενα ). Of the dragon ( του δρακοντος ). That is Satan ( , ). Of the beast ( του θηριου ). The first beast ( , ) and then just the beast ( .; , ; ; , ), the brute force of the World-power represented by the Roman Empire" (Swete). Of the false prophet ( του ψευδοπροφητου ). Cf. ; ; ; ; . Identified with the second beast ( ) in ; . So the sixth bowl introduces the dragon and his two subalterns of chapters ; (the two beasts). Three unclean spirits ( πνευματα τρια ακαθαρτα ). Out of the mouths of each of the three evil powers (the dragon and the two beasts) comes an evil spirit. See the use of mouth in ( .; ; ; , ) as a chief seat of influence. In we have "the breath of his mouth" (the other sense of πνευμα ). For ακαθαρτον (unclean) with πνευμα see .; ; .; ; . Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth" (Swete). See "the false prophets and the unclean spirits." As it were frogs ( ως βατραχο ). Cf. ; . Old word, here alone in N.T. Like loathsome frogs in form.

‏ Revelation of John 16:13-21

Coming out of ( εκ alone, no participle ερχομενα ).

Of the dragon ( του δρακοντος ). That is Satan (12:3, 9).

Of the beast ( του θηριου ). The first beast (13:1, 12) and then just the beast (13:14ff.; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2, 10), the brute force of the World-power represented by the Roman Empire" (Swete).

Of the false prophet ( του ψευδοπροφητου ). Cf. Mt 7:15; Ac 13:6; 1Jo 2:22; 4:3; 2Jo 1:7. Identified with the second beast (13:11-14) in 19:20; 20:10. So the sixth bowl introduces the dragon and his two subalterns of chapters Re 12; 13 (the two beasts).

Three unclean spirits ( πνευματα τρια ακαθαρτα ). Out of the mouths of each of the three evil powers (the dragon and the two beasts) comes an evil spirit. See the use of mouth in 1:16 (9:17f.; 11:5; 12:15; 19:15, 21) as a chief seat of influence. In 2Th 2:8 we have "the breath of his mouth" (the other sense of πνευμα ). For ακαθαρτον (unclean) with πνευμα see Mr 1:23f.; 3:11; 5:2ff.; Ac 5:16; 8:7. Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth" (Swete). See Zec 13:2 "the false prophets and the unclean spirits."

As it were frogs ( ως βατραχο ). Cf. Ex 8:5; Le 11:10ff. Old word, here alone in N.T. Like loathsome frogs in form.

Spirits of devils ( πνευματα δαιμονιων ). "Spirits of demons." Explanation of the simile ως βατραχο. See 1Ti 4:1 about "deceiving spirits and teachings of demons."

Working signs ( ποιουντα σημεια ). "Doing signs" (present active participle of ποιεω ). The Egyptian magicians wrought "signs" (tricks), as did Simon Magus and later Apollonius of Tyana. Houdini claimed that he could reproduce every trick of the spiritualistic mediums.

Which go forth ( α εκπορευετα ). Singular verb with neuter plural (collective) subject.

Unto the kings ( επ τους βασιλεις ). The three evil spirits (dragon and the two beasts) spur on the kings of the whole world to a real world war. "There have been times when nations have been seized by a passion for war which the historian can but imperfectly explain" (Swete).

To gather them together ( συναγαγειν ). Second aorist active infinitive of συναγω, to express purpose (that of the unclean spirits).

Unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty ( εις τον πολεμον της ημερας της μεγαλης του θεου του παντοκρατορος ). Some take this to be war between nations, like Mr 13:8, but it is more likely war against God (Ps 2:2) and probably the battle pictured in 17:14; 19:19. Cf. 2Pe 3:12, "the day of God," his reckoning with the nations. See Joe 2:11; 3:4. Paul uses "that day" for the day of the Lord Jesus (the Parousia) as in 1Th 5:2; 2Th 1:10; 2:2; 1Co 1:8; 2Co 1:14; Php 1:6; 2:16; 2Ti 1:12, 18; 4:8.

Behold, I come as a thief ( ιδου ερχομα ως κλεπτης ). The voice of Christ breaks in with the same metaphor as in 3:3, which see. There comes one of seven beatitudes in Rev. (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). For γρηγορων (watching) see 3:2, and for τηρων (keeping), 1:3.

Lest he walk naked ( ινα μη γυμνος περιπατη ). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη and the present active subjunctive of περιπατεω, and note predicate nominative γυμνος (naked).

And they see his shame ( κα βλεπωσιν την ασχημοσυνην αυτου ). Continuation of the final clause with present active subjunctive of βλεπω. Ασχημοσυνην is old word (from ασχημων, indecent, 1Co 12:23), in N.T. only here and Ro 1:27, a euphemism for την αισχυνην (Re 3:18).

They gathered ( συνηγαγεν ). Second aorist active indicative of συναγω, singular (the three unclean spirits), like εκπορευετα in verse 14.

Har-Magedon ( Hαρ-Μαγεδων ). John proceeds now after the interruption in verse 15. Perhaps "the mountains of Megiddo" though not certain. Megiddo is in the valley of Esdraelon, and by the waters of Megiddo (the Kishon) Israel gained a decisive victory over Sisera (Jud 5:19), celebrated in Deborah's song. See also Re 20:8ff. and Eze 39:2, 4.

Upon the air ( επ τον αερα ). All men breathe the air and this is worse than the smiting of the earth (verse 2), the sea (3), the fresh waters (4), the sun (8).

A great voice ( φωνη μεγαλη ). The voice of God as in 16:1.

It is done ( Γεγονεν ). Perfect active indicative of γινομα. Like Γεγοναν in 21:6. The whole series of plagues is now complete.

And there were ( κα εγενοντο ). "And there came" (same verb ginomai). See 8:5; 11:19 for this list of terrible sounds and lightnings, and for the great earthquake ( σεισμος μεγας ) see 6:12; 11:13 (cf. Lu 21:11).

Such as was not ( οιος ουκ εγενετο ). Qualitative relative with γινομα again, "such as came not."

Since there were men ( αφ' ου ανθρωπο εγενοντο ). "Since which time ( χρονου understood) men came."

So great an earthquake, so mighty ( τηλικουτος σεισμος ουτω μεγας ). Quantitative correlative τηλικουτος rather than the qualitative τοιουτος, to correspond with οιος (not οσος ). And then ουτω μεγας repeats (redundant) τηλικουτος. Cf. Mr 13:19 for οια--τοιαυτη about like tribulation ( θλιψις ).

Was divided into three parts ( εγενετο εις τρια μερη ). "Came into three parts" ( γινομα again). In 11:3 a tenth part of the city fell. Babylon (Rome) is meant (17:18).

Fell ( επεσαν ). Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω ( -αν form in place of -ον ).

Was remembered ( εμνησθη ). First aorist (prophetic) passive indicative of μιμνησκω. Babylon (Rome) had not been overlooked. God was simply biding his time with Rome.

To give unto her ( δουνα αυτη ). Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμ, epexegetic use as in 11:18; 16:9.

The cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath ( το ποτηριον του οινου του θυμου της οργης αυτου ). "The cup of the wine of the wrath of his anger," using both θυμος (boiling rage) and οργη (settled anger). See both in Jer 30:24.

Fled ( εφυγεν ). Second aorist active indicative of φευγω. Islands sometimes sink in the sea in earthquakes (6:14).

Were not found ( ουχ ευρεθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of ευρισκω. See 20:11 for the same idea.

Hail ( χαλαζα ). As in 8:17; 11:19.

Every stone about the weight of a talent ( ως ταλαντιαια ). Old adjective (from ταλαντον ), here only in N.T., but in Polybius and Josephus. See Ex 9:24 for the great hail in Egypt and also Jos 10:11; Isa 28:2; Eze 38:22 for hail as the symbol of God's wrath. In the LXX a ταλαντον ranged in weight from 108 to 130 pounds.

Because of the plague of hail ( εκ της πληγης της χαλαζης ). "As a result of the plague of hail." This punishment had the same effect as in verses 9, 11.

Exceeding great ( Μεγαλη--σφροδρα ). Emphatic positions at ends of the clause (great--exceedingly).