Revelation 16:10

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

And {G2532} the fifth {G3991} angel {G32} poured out {G1632} his {G846} vial {G5357} upon {G1909} the seat {G2362} of the beast {G2342}; and {G2532} his {G846} kingdom {G932} was {G1096} full of darkness {G4656}; and {G2532} they gnawed {G3145} their {G846} tongues {G1100} for {G1537} pain {G4192},

The fifth one poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom grew dark. People gnawed on their tongues from the pain,

And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish

And the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

Revelation 16:10 describes the pouring out of the fifth of the seven bowls of God's wrath, intensifying the divine judgments upon the earth during the end times. This particular judgment targets the very heart of the oppressive, anti-God system.

Context

This verse is part of a series of escalating judgments, known as the bowl judgments (or vials), which are unleashed after the seven trumpets and parallel the final plagues upon Egypt. Each bowl brings a specific, severe affliction upon humanity and the earth for their rebellion against God. The fifth bowl directly impacts the power structure of the 'beast' and its kingdom, following judgments on the earth, sea, rivers, and sun.

Key Themes

  • Targeted Judgment: The pouring of the bowl "upon the seat of the beast" signifies a direct assault on the authority and headquarters of the antichristian power. The Greek word for "seat" here is thronos, meaning a throne or seat of power, emphasizing that God's judgment directly challenges the very center of this wicked dominion.
  • Spiritual Darkness: The resulting "kingdom was full of darkness" is a profound biblical motif for judgment, chaos, and spiritual blindness. It recalls the plague of darkness in Egypt, where the unrepentant Pharaoh and his people were enveloped in a palpable gloom. This darkness represents not only physical obscurity but also a spiritual void, a removal of God's light and favor.
  • Intense Suffering Without Repentance: The chilling phrase "they gnawed their tongues for pain" vividly portrays extreme agony and frustration. Despite this unbearable suffering, the subsequent verses (like Revelation 16:11) confirm that these judgments do not lead to repentance but rather to increased blasphemy against God. This highlights the hardened hearts of those who reject divine truth.

Linguistic Insights

The term "seat" in "seat of the beast" translates the Greek word thronos (θρόνος), which literally means a throne. This choice of word underscores that the judgment is not just a general affliction but a direct blow to the source of the beast's authority and dominion. It implies a challenge to its claim of kingship and power, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty.

Practical Application

While depicting future eschatological events, Revelation 16:10 offers timeless insights. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent rebellion against God and the ultimate futility of human power that opposes divine will. It underscores that even in the face of overwhelming judgment, a hardened heart may refuse to repent. For believers, this verse reinforces the importance of choosing God's light over spiritual darkness and remaining steadfast in faith, knowing that all earthly powers are subject to God's supreme authority. It also points to the ultimate triumph of Christ over all opposing forces, offering hope amidst prophecies of judgment, as seen in the beast's final defeat.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 9:2

    And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

  • Matthew 8:12

    But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Exodus 10:21

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness [which] may be felt.

  • Exodus 10:23

    They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

  • Isaiah 8:21

    And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

  • Isaiah 8:22

    And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and [they shall be] driven to darkness.

  • Revelation 18:23

    And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

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