Revelation 16

The Seven Last Plagues parallel the plagues already listed earlier in Revelation. They are also similar to the plagues on Egypt in Moses' day. Scholars may argue whether the plagues of chapters 8-13 are the same as those in chapter 16. The scriptural title of "the seven last plagues" (Rev. 15:1) would suggest that they occur in the seventh seal subsequent to the plagues listed in chapters 8-13.

 

 

Each angel pours out his destruction on something different. The first is poured out upon the earth; the second upon the sea; the third upon the rivers and fountains; the fourth upon the sun; the fifth upon the "seat of the beast"; the sixth upon the river Euphrates; and the seventh into the air. The plagues will be so diverse and widespread that very little of God's creation will be able to avoid all of these plagues.

 

But if she observe not to do whatsoever I have commanded her, I will visit her according to all her works, with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire. (D&C 97:22-26)

 

We are living in this Territory, comparatively at peace, but unless the Latter-day Saints live according to the light which God has revealed to them, they cannot escape. If God sends judgments upon the nations, he will send them upon us... If he visits the inhabitants of the earth with pestilence and blood, he will visit us in a similar manner unless we keep his commandments. If the inhabitants of the earth who know not God are to perish because of their wickedness, how much more will he visit those who have greater light and knowledge if they will not keep his commandments? The Lord sent forth the destroyer in ancient times to lay waste the firstborn of the Egyptians, pointing out the means by which his people might escape, and those who failed to do as they were commanded had no promise of being preserved; so in these days when judgments come, they will begin among his Saints, and those who have not attended to the word of wisdom and the laws of life that he has pointed out and have no claim to mercy and favor. (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 15: 341.)

 

Noisome means noxious.

 

"The first plague, which is directed at the wicked, is of 'disgusting and virulent sores,' according to the Jerusalem Bible. This plague parallels the sixth plague that fell on the Egyptians in the time of Moses (Ex. 9:8-12). The contents of this bowl are poured out on the earth itself, and the affliction falls on those who dwell on the earth. The wicked have earlier worn the mark of the beast; now they will wear the mark of the wrath of God." (Donald W. Parry and Jay A. Parry, Understanding the Signs of the Times [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1999], 339.)

 

"The Lord declared that in the last days He has 'cursed the waters' by the mouth of John. Several passages in the book of Revelation tell us how and why the waters are cursed in our day. For example, speaking of the destruction preceding the Second Coming, John wrote concerning a great mountain burning with fire, which will be cast into the sea. As a result, a 'third part of the sea [will become] blood,' and 'the third part of the creatures ... in the sea' will die, and 'the third part of the ships' will be destroyed (Rev. 8:8-9).

 

"Next, John saw a great burning star fall upon the third part of the rivers and fountains of waters. The waters will therefore be 'made bitter,' which will cause the deaths of many men (see Rev. 8:10-11).

 

"Later, John describes the sea becoming 'as the blood of a dead man' (dark and clotted), this time causing the death of every living thing in the sea. The angel tells John that this curse will come because men have shed the blood of Saints and prophets (see Rev. 16:3-6).

 

"In John's vision of the two prophets who will minister and be slain in Jerusalem in the last days, he saw that they would have power to shut heaven so that it would not rain. In addition, John said the two prophets will have power to turn waters to blood and to smite the earth with plagues (see Rev. 11:6).

 

"Finally, John saw a connection between the waters and the great and abominable church, saying: 'I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: ... The waters which thou [seest], where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues' (Rev. 17:1, 15). In this passage, the waters appear to be figurative, rather than literal, but the resulting spiritual plague upon the world is equally real." (Jonn D. Claybaugh, "As Flaming Fire and a Ministering Angel," Ensign, Oct. 1999, 59)

 

I have the consolation of believing, that the innocent blood of the Saints, which has dyed the American soil for the truth's sake, will cry in the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, until the abettors and perpetrators of such horrid tragedies will have to pay the price of the blood of those righteous men whom they have martyred.

 

Should any of the Saints have formed an opinion that the apostles, prophets, or saints of God in the last days would not seal their testimony with their blood, I wish to mark it as an error by citing testimony upon the subject. John the Revelator, while wrapped in the visions of the Almighty, saw events that were to transpire in the last days, before the second advent of the Messiah; and in the opening of the fifth seal, he "saw under the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held; and when they asked how long before the Lord would judge and avenge their blood, on those that dwelt on the earth, they were informed they must rest for a little season until their fellow-servants and brethren should be killed as they were." (Rev. 6:9-11) Again, John said, in pouring out the plagues upon the earth, 16:3, that "he poured out his phial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man, and every living soul died in the sea: and the third angel poured out his phial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood; and the angel said the Lord was righteous in so doing, for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink, for they are worthy."

 

Some may say, it was in the days of Jesus Christ that this was fulfilled-but it was not so; for John lived after, and saw things that should come to pass in the future; and that in the last days the waters were to be turned into blood, because they had shed the blood of prophets and of saints, John also speaks of two other witnesses in Judea that were to be slain; and how many other of the servants of God may be called to seal their testimony with their blood before the coming of Christ is not for me to say. (History of Joseph Smith., Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, vol. 5 (June 1844-May 1845), No. 8. January, 1845. Vol. V. 135.)

 

"The righteous are promised in 7:16 that 'neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat,' meaning that they will not suffer from the heat of the sun. But here the wicked suffer from intense heat, perhaps from the sun. This may result from a breakdown of the ozone layer of the atmosphere, which could result from a nuclear blast and which would remove much of our protection from the sun's potentially deadly rays, or it may have a cause that we cannot yet imagine." (Donald W. Parry and Jay A. Parry, Understanding the Book of Revelation [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 206.)

 

Is [God] not able to cause the great centre of our system, the sun, to give forth more heat, sufficient to consume the wicked and melt the earth by its intensity? Yes, I recollect reading in one of the prophecies of Isaiah in relation to this matter. I recollect reading too in the revelations of St. John that men should be scorched with great heat. Revelation 16:8. It was to be one of the great judgments of the latter-days, as seen by that inspired man. And Isaiah in speaking on this subject, says, "Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold," (Isa. 30:26) etc. Suppose the heat should be increased in the same proportion that the light is increased; or, in other words, supposing that our thermometers, when standing at a hundred degrees Fahrenheit, should be increased to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, what would be the effect? A general conflagration over the whole face of the globe would be produced, thereby fulfilling the ancient as well as the modern prophecy. (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 20: 11 - 14.)

 

Like the highway which will be "cast up in the midst of the great deep" for the prophets from the north countries to gather to Zion (D&C 133:26-32), the great river Euphrates will be dried up so that righteous kings from the east may come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. Then again will Isaiah's prophecy be fulfilled, as they say, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." (Isa 2:3)

 

And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord. (Zech. 10:6-12, see also Isa. 11:15-16)

 

Megiddo is about 50 miles north, north-east of Jerusalem. The term Armageddon comes from the phrase har Megiddo meaning the mount of Meggido. While the saints and Jews are gathered to Zion and Jerusalem, Satan will gather his forces to the adjacent valley of Megiddo. The scriptures seem to prophecy of two main locations for this conflict-the valley of Megiddo and the city of Jerusalem. It would seem that the object of the multi-national armies gathered to the valley is to destroy the holy city (Zech. 14:2).

 

The size of this force will be intimidating, their numbers are described as "more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable" (Jer. 46:23). Joel was most descriptive about the gathering of these great armies.

 

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations... (Joel 3:1-2)

 

Tradition has it that the valley of Jehoshaphat is the valley between the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem, not the valley of Megiddo. However, the location of the valley of Jehoshaphat "is not mentioned in the Bible or Josephus, but is first encountered in the middle of the fourth century. Both Moslems and Jews believe that the last judgment is to take place there." (Dictionary of the Bible, William Smith, "Jehoshaphat, valley of") Most LDS commentators have accepted this tradition. However, as with most 4^th century traditions, this one should be abandoned. The scriptures would suggest that the valley of Jehoshaphat and the valley of Megiddo are indeed the same. See how well Joel correlates with Revelation in this regard.

 

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:9-14)

 

The scriptures are consistent in describing those nations who will be judged, Jehoshaphat means literally, Jehovah judges (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Gospel Symbolism [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1999], 176.) The judgment will come as a destruction on the nations which surround Israel. Those who have plagued the Israelites for millennia will now be recompensed. Nearly all the Old Testament prophets spoke of this judgment.

 

 

There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. (Zech. 11:1-3)

 

 

And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. (Zeph. 2:4-13)

 

 

... for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee. (Jer. 46:10, 28)

 

Jeremiah lists the nations which are to be destroyed: Egypt, the Philistines including Gaza, Tyre and Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, Damascus, Kedar (Arabia) and Hazor, Elam, and Babylon. See Jer. 46-51.

 

 

That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders (Isa. 14:25-26, see also Isa. 15-19; 31:8-9; 33:1-12)

 

 

See Ezek. 25-32.

 

 

Those times when the Lord fought the battles of ancient Israel, he often confused the opposing armies. Gideon's battle against the Midianites is one example. The Lord needed only 300 men to set separate fires and simultaneously blow their trumpets. Then, the whole host of the Midianites, numbered "as grasshoppers for multitude" (Judges 6:5), began fighting amongst themselves.

 

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled... (Judges 7:22)

 

Similarly, Armageddon will be a battle of confusion for the great army assembled against Jerusalem.

 

In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. (Zech. 12:3-4)

 

The term Joel uses, valley of Jehoshaphat, makes reference to a similar battle during the reign of this king of Judah. The battle of Jehoshaphat is a type for Armageddon.

 

And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. (2 Chron. 20:14-25)

 

"Most critics have suggested that 'the valley of Jehoshaphat' derived its name from the expectation that the future judgment would resemble in character the victory which God had given to Jehoshaphat." (Edersheim, Alfred, Old Testament Bible History, chapter 6, note 22)

 

 

Artistic Representations of the Second Coming don't show Christ coming on horseback. However, for the battle of the great God Almighty, He comes in regal red, on a white horse, leading the greatest cavalry charge imaginable.

 

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Rev. 19:11-14)

 

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. (Rev. 9:16-19)

 

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev. 19:15-20)

 

 

For years, commentators have equated the Battle of Gog and Magog with the Battle of Armageddon. The chronology of Ezekiel and D&C 29 might suggest that Gog and Magog occurs prior to the Millennium. However, the Prophet Joseph clearly teaches that the Battle of Gog and Magog comes later, declaring, "The battle of Gog and Magog will be after the millennium." (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5: 298.) The book of Revelation also suggests these are different battles, Armageddon coming first (Rev. 16:12-16), and Gog and Magog coming later (Rev. 20:7-9).

 

The Battle of Gog and Magog is described in detail in Ezekiel chapters 38-39. Ezekiel 40 begins his elaborate description of the Millennial temple. If one assumes a chronological relationship between chapters 39 and 40, then Gog and Magog would seem to precede the Millennium. However, these are separate visions. Ezekiel 40:1-2 declares that the temple vision was in "the five and twentieth year" of the Jewish captivity. It is a separate vision with a different subject matter and a different timeline than the content of the preceding chapters.

 

Truly, there are many similarities between Armageddon and Gog and Magog. In each, nations will come against Israel from the north. In each, destruction rains from heaven with "great hailstones, fire, and brimstone." (Ezek. 38:22) In each, the fowl and beasts are assembled to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the mighty. However, the battles will be separate. Gog will come against Israel in a day when they have dwelt safely in Israel-a safety enjoyed during the Millennium, "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?" (Ezek. 38:14) The Battle of Gog and Magog will be a case of history repeating itself.

 

The battle of Gog and Magog will be after the millennium. (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5: 298.)

 

This earthquake must be more destructive than the earthquake in the Americas at the time of Christ's crucifixion-an earthquake which buried some cities, covered up others, and changed the whole face of the land (3 Ne. 8:6-19). There have been some great earthquakes in recent history. They have brought unbelievable destruction and death. Apparently, a greater still awaits.

 

(http://topics.cnn.com/topics/earthquakes#aCurrentPage)

 

"The earthquake causes the fall of the cities of the nations: 'The great city was divided into three parts' (v. 19, KJV). The focus appears to be on Babylon, divided into thirds, symbolic of the fullness of the divine wrath that strikes her to her destruction. Men have long stood in fear of the power of the earthquake. Here the force of God rocks the lands, and entire civilizations fall at the blow. Babylon herself comes down, her division becoming a mortal wound." (Richard D. Draper, Opening the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1991], 182.)

 

That is to say, Babylon shall fall during the battle of Armageddon. She shall fall in the very hour when the Lord returns. She shall fall when the vineyard is burned and every corruptible thing is consumed. (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 436.)

 

"Thus the islands are to be moved out of their places; and as it is the time of restoration, they will in all probability return and join themselves to the main continent from whence they came. Isaiah speaking of the lands of Zion, and Jerusalem, that is, the Eastern, and Western continent, says: 'Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken: neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate; but thou shalt be called Hephzi bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.'-Isa. 62:4. Now according to the above, the islands and continents will be brought together, the mountains thrown down, and the great waters rolled back to the place where they were at the beginning." (The Millennium., Times and Seasons, vol. 3 (November 1841-October 1842), Vol. 3 No. 6 January 15, 1842 674.)

 

"Associated with the seventh bowl, John sees one last plague of tremendous proportions. As was the earthquake, this one is not directed at the cities and nations under the power of spiritual Babylon. The new threat is directed at the people who inhabit those cities: 'There fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent' (v. 21, KJV). From the days Moses brought this plague upon Egypt, hail has served as both the symbol and reality of God's judgment upon hardened mankind (see, e.g., Ex. 9:18-26; Ps. 78:47; 105:32; Josh. 10:11).

 

"Here the weight of each stone is between 60 to 80 pounds. Through this symbol, John describes the pounding power that will bring all men to their knees. But it will not bring penitence. Once again John notes how hardened these men have become who can only curse God and wish to die and who never for a second consider repentance. Little wonder that the angels declared that God's judgments against the wicked were entirely true and just." (Richard D. Draper, Opening the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1991], 182.)