Vial Judgments Resumed: Revelation 16:16-21

Revelation 16:16‑21  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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The Seventh Vial
(Chap. 16:16-21)
Christ’s first act in judgment at His Appearing will be on the Western powers under the (personal) Beast as his massive navy comes to the land of Israel from the west (Num. 24:2424And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. (Numbers 24:24)). This judgment is described under the figure of “the great city” of “Babylon” being overthrown and destroyed. The overthrow of Babylon in history by Cyrus the Persian is a picture of this judgment. Cyrus is a type of Christ and Babylon is a type of the Western powers under the personal beast (Isa. 44:2828That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah 44:28)). The first thing that Cyrus did after he defeated the Babylonians was grant deliverance to the Jews who were captive in Babylon (Isa. 45:1-41Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. (Isaiah 45:1‑4)). This is exactly what the Lord will do when He appears. He will judge the western powers and deliver the faithful Jewish remnant from the persecution leveled at them.
(Christ’s Appearing in judgment is described in further detail when the thread of events is resumed in chapter 19:11).