16 And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon .
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air , and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne , saying , " It is done ." 18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder ; and there was a great earthquake , such as there had not been since e man came to be upon the earth , so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty . 19 The great city was split into three parts , and the cities of the nations fell . Babylon the great was remembered before God , to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath . 20 And every island fled away , and the mountains were not found . 21 And huge hailstones , about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men ; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail , because its plague was extremely severe .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 16:16-21
Commentary on Revelation 16:12-16
(Read Revelation 16:12-16)
This probably shows the destruction of the Turkish power, and of idolatry, and that a way will be made for the return of the Jews. Or, take it for Rome, as mystical Babylon, the name of Babylon being put for Rome, which was meant, but was not then to be directly named. When Rome is destroyed, her river and merchandise must suffer with her. And perhaps a way will be opened for the eastern nations to come into the church of Christ. The great dragon will collect all his forces, to make one desperate struggle before all be lost. God warns of this great trial, to engage his people to prepare for it. These will be times of great temptation; therefore Christ, by his apostle, calls on his professed servants to expect his sudden coming, and to watch that they might not be put to shame, as apostates or hypocrites. However Christians differ, as to their views of the times and seasons of events yet to be brought to pass, on this one point all are agreed, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, will suddenly come again to judge the world. To those living near to Christ, it is an object of joyful hope and expectation, and delay is not desired by them.
Commentary on Revelation 16:17-21
(Read Revelation 16:17-21)
The seventh and last angel poured forth his vial, and the downfal of Babylon was finished. The church triumphant in heaven saw it and rejoiced; the church in conflict on earth saw it and became triumphant. God remembered the great and wicked city; though for some time he seemed to have forgotten her idolatry and cruelty. All that was most secure was carried away by the ruin. Men blasphemed: the greatest judgments that can befal men, will not bring to repentance without the grace of God. To be hardened against God, by his righteous judgments, is a certain token of sure and utter destruction.