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With the pouring out of God’s wrath from the seven bowls, the final judgment of the beasts and Dragon begins (16:1). In one sense the seven vials are a third heptad reemphasizing the judgments announced in the seven seals and trumpets. Beasley-Murray and Mounce compare these three sets of judgments. The bowls culminate against Babylon/Rome as the persecutor of the church (16:19) so that chs. 17-18 are expansions of 15:5-16:21. Ch. 17 identifies Babylon as the Roman Empire and 18:3 accuses Babylon of making nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries. Now, in retribution, Rome must drink the cup of God’s wrath. Ironically, Rome’s golden cup is filthy (17:4).
The parallels to the plagues against Pharaoh in Egypt are another way John establishes the significance of these judgments. However, Pharaoh had the chance to change his course of action because of the divine power he witnessed. John does not give Rome the opportunity to repent. The last call to repentance was in 9:20.
Remembering that Revelation often sets up contrasts, it seems that the evil trinity of 16:13 might be a parody on God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet frequently appear as deceptive antagonists in chs. 12-20.
How does one interpret 16:16? The original intention of vv.12-14 probably reflects the Roman fear that kings from Parthia would invade and defeat Rome. Evidently John knew of this Roman phobia, because he pictured the eastern kings and the evil trinity gathering the world for a war at Har Magedon. But the war did not occur! Instead, an earthquake symbolizing judgment split Rome into three parts. Even though a final battle does not occur at Har Magedon in Revelation some futurist interpreters, such as J.B. Smith, still anticipate a final battle near Mount Megiddo that “will be the great decision as to whether Satan or God Almighty will be the final and sole ruler of the earth” (Smith, 236). Adam Clarke listed options for translating and interpreting har meggido or har magedon. He complained of the ridiculous conjectures that have been made regarding this passage and did not give an opinion on its meaning. Because no place in biblical history accurately corresponds to this place name, it seems best to interpret har magedon as a symbol for the final clash between God and Satan. It is not a future place located in the physical land of Israel. Rev 5:5 announced the Lamb as victorious, thus the battle has already been won in the death and resurrection of Christ. We know who will be the final ruler. God has already triumphed over Satan. The return of Christ in the final judgment will be a gathering of the saints and damning of sinners (20:11-22:21).