Revelation 16:17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The seventh angel poured out his vial, &c.— The seventh vial is poured into the air, the seat of Satan's residence, who is emphatically styled, the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2. and is represented, Revelation 16:13. as a principal actor in these latter scenes; so that this last period will not only complete the ruin of the kingdom of the beast, but will also shake the kingdom of Satan every where. Upon the pouring out of this vial, a solemn proclamation is made from the throne of God himself: It is done; in the same sense as the angel affirmed, ch. Revelation 10:7. that in the days of the seventh trumpet the mystery of God should be finished. Of this vial, as of all the former, the completion is gradual, and the immediate effects and consequences are voices, &c. Revelation 16:18-21. These portend great calamities. Voices, and thunders, and lightnings, are the usual attendants of the Deity, especially in his judgments. Great earthquakes, in prophetic language, signify great changes and revolutions; and this is such a one as men never felt and experienced before. Not only the great city is divided into three parts, or factions, but the cities of the nations fall from their obedience. Her sins are remembered before God, and, like another Babylon, she will soon be made to drink of the bitter cup of his anger, Revelation 16:19. Nay, not only the works of men, the cities, fall; but even the works of nature, the islands fly away, and the mountains are not found; (Revelation 16:20.) which is more than was said, ch. Revelation 6:14. that they were moved out of their places; and can import no less than an utter extirpation of idolatry. Great hail too, Revelation 16:21. signifies the judgments of God, and these are uncommon judgments. Diodorus speaks of hailstones which weigheda pound or more. Philostorgius mentions hail that weighed eight pounds. But these are about the weight of a talent, or about a hundred pounds; a strong figure to denote the greatness and severity of these judgments! But still the men continue obstinate, and blaspheme God for the hail; they remain incorrigible under the divine judgments, and will be destroyed before theywill repent, or be reformed. See as above. "The seven vials poured out," says Mr. Burton, "are to be the seven last plagues; (see Revelation 15:1.) for in them is to be filled up the wrath of God." Here, as in every other part of the Apocalyptical descriptions, the number seven seems to be the prevailing number by which to calculate their appearance. As yet the five first vials only, I apprehend, are poured out, and the two last are yet to come. It becomes us therefore to draw a veil over the judgments that are still future, lest by our rashness we provoke a judgment upon ourselves: it becomes us likewise, as men actuated by reason, seriously to reflect on the part we are to act, while the judgments of God are visiblyupon the earth. God's promises are ever conditional with respect to us; and distant events are never pointed out to us with any degree of certainty, but for very apparent and wise reasons, that the almost may become an altogether Christian; and that the infidel and unbeliever may be afforded an opportunity of shunning the folly of impiety; and by being guarded against the means of exercising fruitless endeavours to thwart the divine decrees, he may not thereby add sin to sin, but learn betimes to repent of his impious folly, and become wise unto salvation.

Inferences and REFLECTIONS.—How manifestly righteous are the judgments of God, which shall be executed, in due season, upon antichristian idolaters and persecutors, and all the wicked and ungodly of the earth! They act under the influence of unclean diabolical spirits, which deceive the nations, and set them as in battle-array against the Almighty: and, instead of being reformed by one and another judgment, they obstinately persist in their iniquitous courses, and blaspheme the name of God, as though he dealt unjustly in punishing them. But, how long soever he may bear with them, he will call their sins to remembrance, and pour out the vials of his righteous wrath upon them. And, ah! how dreadful are the calamities, which he, sooner or later, will inflict upon them! They are as grievous and tormenting as the sorest ulcers; as nauseous and mortal as seas and rivers of blood; as distressing as the most scorching heat of the sun, which burns up all before it; as doleful as the thickest darkness; as exposed to every invading misery, as a country that has no barrier for its defence; and as terrifying and overwhelming, as inexpressible tempests of thunder, lightning, earthquakes, and the heavier storms of hail, beyond all that ever was felt on the earth. In this manner shall the worshippers of the beast, and all antichristian enemies, drink of the wrath of God, till, at length, they, together with the whole kingdom and power of Satan, shall be utterly destroyed. And who must not say that they are worthy of all this, as a just return upon them for the blood of the saints, which they have shed; and for all their abominable idolatries, and other multiplied corruptions in doctrine, worship, and manners? God will be applauded, as holy, righteous, and true, in these executions of wrath; and his church must say Amen to his judging thus, concerning all that oppressed and tyrannized over them during the reign of the beast! With what sudden and unexpected surprise will this tremendous day of the Lord come, like a thief in the night! Blessed are they that shall then be found upon their watch, and appear with spotless robes of righteousness and honour before him.