One of the ten Egyptian plagues and the eighth in line is the locust invasion. For several recent years, locusts have been attacking Russian fields, and this year was no exception. In the Book of Revelation, it is said that the earth awaits plagues similar to the Egyptian ones. Specifically, in Chapter 16, it describes the seven bowls of God’s wrath. Some of these bowls of wrath strikingly resemble the Egyptian plagues.
Metaphors of Cups and Suffering
Cruel, festering sores appear on people after the first cup is poured by the Angel onto the earth. This is because people marked themselves with the image of the beast on their right hand or forehead and worshipped the beast’s likeness. The sixth plague in Egypt was similar.
The second Angel pours his cup into the sea, and it turns into blood, like that of a dead man, causing all living creatures in it to die. The third Angel pours his cup into rivers and springs, turning the water into blood as well. The waters became blood due to the shedding of the blood of saints and prophets.
The Angel adds: ‘They deserve this!’ The first Egyptian plague was the turning of water throughout Egypt into blood, likely a consequence of the shedding of innocent Israelite blood.
The fourth cup brings scorching heat. The fourth Angel pours his cup onto the sun, causing it to scorch people with fire. Severe heat afflicts people, but they continue to blaspheme God’s name. The Almighty holds power over these afflictions, yet the people do not repent to give Him glory.
The fifth cup represents God’s wrath against the beast’s kingdom. The Angel pours his cup onto the beast’s throne, and his kingdom becomes shrouded in darkness. People bite their tongues in agony; painful sores afflict their bodies. Nevertheless, they continue to blaspheme the heavenly God and refuse to repent for their deeds.
The kingdom of the beast and his throne may well be represented by Russia, with the beast potentially being none other than Putin, the ruler of Russia. Why ‘almost’? Not all prophecies concerning him have been fulfilled. Perhaps an attempt on his life is yet to come, as the Bible suggests that this beast will receive a fatal sword wound, only to recover from it.
Prophecy About the Beast’s Kingdom
If I’m not mistaken, and this is indeed him, then his throne is Moscow, and his kingdom is Russia. Let’s clarify. When the Angel pours his cup onto his throne, the entire kingdom turns dark—what does this mean? We witness a colossal decline in the Russian economy, a stifling of freedom of speech, people living in fear and poverty, and these signs are worsening.
Technological lag and a global economic blockade lead to the loss of technologies, resulting in technological disasters. Airplanes and helicopters are crashing more frequently, trains derail, there’s reckless environmental destruction, rampant deforestation. Forest fires reach catastrophic proportions, and the death toll of animals is in the millions.
These fires, by the way, spread to residential areas, causing many to lose their homes, health, and some even their lives. We should also remember the mentioned locusts, crop failures, and soon there will be terrible sores afflicting people. Currently, due to cotton shortages during a special military operation, more and more families are buying white cars in memory of their sons for their funeral processions.
Amidst all this, it’s clear to say that the kingdom of the beast is becoming increasingly dark! Furthermore, let’s note that the Angel doesn’t pour his fifth cup just anywhere; he pours it onto the beast’s throne. It seems that the capital, Moscow, won’t escape punishment either. However, people will remain unrepentant for their deeds.
Prophecy of the Euphrates Drying Up and Contemporary Environmental Challenges
The sixth Angel pours his bowl into the great, finishing river Euphrates. The river dries up to prepare the way for the kings from the east. I believe this speaks of the Beast’s campaign with allies towards the Promised Land, Israel. Not all of the allied forces will approach from the north; some will come from the east. This region east of Israel is home to many nations that may join the Beast in looting and destroying Israel, spanning from Iraq to China.
We are direct witnesses to the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy about the Euphrates River. Perhaps even John himself, when recording these words about the great river drying up, was amazed. How much more astonished would later generations be?
But if we look at modern maps, we can hardly call this river ‘great.’ In recent months, the Euphrates has, in some places, turned into a narrow strip from its once raging flows. For the people living along the Syrian stretch of this river, a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe is unfolding before their eyes. According to Euronews, this catastrophe affects up to 5 million Syrians, not to mention the Iraqi side. All of this is happening right now, before our very eyes. Who still doubts that we are in the century of the Antichrist’s coming?
At this moment, from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs emerge. John explains that these are demonic spirits performing signs, turning to all the kings of the earth with the idea of attacking Israel and gathering at a specific location known in Jewish tradition as Armageddon.
Grim Events in the End Times
And the seventh Angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the heavenly temple from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’ Presumably, this word marks the end of the period of great tribulation. Following this, there were thunder and lightning, and the greatest earthquake in Earth’s history occurred. It is written that pagan cities fell.
Apparently, these are cities in countries that, at the state level, reject Christianity and openly embrace pagan cults. It is also said that the great city split into three parts. Most likely, Jerusalem is implied here. The earthquake will divide this city into three parts. Islands will suffer, and mountains will be destroyed. John does not specify which islands and mountains.
Hail the size of a talent fell from the sky onto people. If we believe Wikipedia, a Jewish talent was equivalent to nearly 45 kilograms. After the hail, people also developed severe sores, yet they continued to blaspheme God because of these afflictions. The seventh plague in Egypt — thunder, lightning, and fiery hail. It certainly seems so.
To conclude this overview of Revelation 16, I will read verse 15: ‘Behold, I come as a thief…’
