Thursday, August 23, 2012

Darkness Covers the Beast's Kingdom

Arch of Constantine in Rome
Reflections on Revelation 16:10-11

The fifth bowl is poured out on the throne of the beast which ascended from the bottomless pit (see Revelation 11:7; cf. the fifth trumpet in 9:1-2).  This beast, as stated earlier, represents human, godless government.  The beast's kingdom, or human government, is plunged into spiritual darkness.  People do what is right in their own eyes rather than obeying God's commands, so they suffer the due penalties of their errors and are covered with sores which cause them great pain.  Human government is powerless to protect its people from the retributive acts of God.  Consequently, the impenitent people curse God.


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