I have to admit that there is nothing more I can do than to summarize what is written. Hopefully, reading it repeatedly for several years, I may get a glimpse of what John intended to write. For the time being, I have to be patient and learn to be humble. So far, it is beyond my understanding.
Now, a big and wonderful sign appears in heaven. There are 7 angels with 7 plagues (ἀγγέλους ἑπτὰ ἔχοντας πληγὰς ἑπτὰ), in them the wrath of God (ὁ θυμὸς τοῦ θεοῦ) comes to a close (Revelation 15:1).
Then, there appears a sea of glass mingled with fire (Revelation 15:2). Standing next to this sea is an unknown number of souls which had defeated the beast and its images. These souls are holding harps of God to sing praises to God. Then the temple (of the tent of witness) in heaven is opened. The 7 angels with 7 plagues come out of the temple. Then one of the 4 living creatures gives the 7 angels 7 golden bowls of God's wrath (Revelation 15:7).
So the first angel went and poured his bowl on the earth, and foul and evil sores came upon the men who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (Revelations 16:2).
The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a dead man, and every living thing died that was in the sea (Revelation 16:3).
The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of water, and they became blood (Revelation 16:4).
The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch men with fire;
men were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory (Revelation 16:8-9).
The fifth angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was in darkness; men gnawed their tongues in anguish
and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores, and did not repent of their deeds (Revelation 16:10-11).
The sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east (Revelation 16:12).
From the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet (probably this is the beast from the land) come three foul spirits. They assemble the kings on earth for the final Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).
The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" (Revelation 16:17)
There are lightnings and thunders, a great earthquake (Revelation 16:18) and hailstones drop on men from heaven (Revelation 16:21).
Then came the picture of Judgment of the Harlot in chapter 17. Here, John employed a great number of symbols. It is highly likely that the author was trying to criticize the government. Yet, they came into contact everyday. He had no choice but to write in such an obscure manner.
There is a harlot who commits fornications with many nations. She is sitting on a scarlet beast which has 7 heads and 10 horns (Revelation 17:3).
And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Revelation 17:6).
The scarlet beast was, and is not and will be. Seven heads could mean 7 mountains or 7 kings.
The following verse is puzzling:
they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes he must remain only a little while.
As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to perdition. (Revelation 17:10-17).
These 10 horns will raise war with Joyce (did I mean John?). Of course, Of course. She will send you a big bundle of Christmas gifts.
My John,
Enlighten us so that more people may know what you want to say. Amen.
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