ACC ~ Revelation 16 v3

BLOODY RIVERS, STREAMS AND SEA. OECUMENIUS: The blood in the sea suggests those who are killed in naval battles, while the blood in the rivers and streams would refer to, most likely, the deaths of those who were killed in battles while encamped alongside such waters. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.2-7.

WORSHIPING THE ANTICHRIST. PRIMASIUS: [It says that] water turned to blood. It is easy to turn the soul from spiritual matters and think after the manner of the flesh, which we knew without difficulty to be symbolized in that first of the plagues that we read was inflicted upon the Egyptians. For then it reports that the fresh waters were turned to blood, whether the rivers of Egypt or the rain waters, as some translations have it, saying, “And their rain waters [were turned] to blood.” … However, the present passage raises a question, because here it says that the second bowl was poured into the sea, that is, into waters that are bitter and salty. And [the waters] became blood, it says, and every living thing in the sea died. It seems to me that this passage signifies those among the Jews who did not interpret the law spiritually but understood it in a fleshly manner, and therefore they could not discern Christ in it. As the apostle says, “Had they recognized [him], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”But in addition to this, they are led by the burden of their deserts to such an extent, as though struck by the second wound of an even worse plague, that they desire the image of the beast and, possessing the mark of its name, think that they ought worship the beast rather than Christ. And so, perhaps in this passage what is described in the exodus to have happened in the first plague is placed in the second bowl, in that from the sterile waters [of the sea] they also move to the filth of blood, through which it says that every living thing in the sea, that is, [every soul] in this world, has been killed, referring to the part from the whole, as in this passage, “There is no one who does good, no, not one.” To be sure, those are characterized by a manifest sterility of whom it is said, “I looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded thorns.” And these are those whose tongues became so enfeebledthat they said to their own condemnation, “his blood be on us and on our children.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.3.

THE CREATOR WILL REVEAL HIS POWER THROUGH ENOCH AND ELIJAH. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: It is not surprising that to expose the weakness of the antichrist and the light-mindedness of the deceived, the divine power would through the holy prophets, Enoch and Elijah, change the sea into “blood as of a dead man,” that is, as of one who had been slain, and would effect the corruption of all in it, just as long ago in Egypt he worked through Moses to expose the hardheartedness of Pharaoh and to demonstrate his own power. And therefore, those who were of secure faith were strengthened and the unstable were made fearful, seeing the creation arrayed against those who fought for the honor of the destroyer. It is also possible that through these words the slaughters that will happen in wars at the coming [of the antichrist] are indicated. For when Gog and Magog will move against each other in the four parts of the world and, in addition, the kings who had not obeyed will be annihilated with their whole armies and there will be slaughter in every place, then the sea will be defiled by sea battles, and the rivers will be mingled with the blood of those who were killed there. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.3.

BLOODIED BY A SPIRITUAL REVENGE. BEDE: Those who are marked not only by the sign of the beast but also attack the steadfast servants of Christ by the waves of persecution will be punished by a spiritual revenge, which here he calls “blood.” And those who boasted that they are alive will be proved to have served the author of death. EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 16.3.

THE THIRD BOWL REVELATION 16:4-7

OVERVIEW: God is good. Therefore, he has desired that the holy angels also assist him in the providential succor and aid of those on earth who are in need of everything. So God gives to the angel set over the water the task of providing water to those in need of it because they are caught in drought and famine and sickness (OECUMENIUS). However, as though it were water turned to blood, the teaching of the nations contains within itself both natural error and impure lusts that have captured people’s minds in death and hostility toward God (PRIMASIUS). Persons who give foul teaching to the innocent and unaware will themselves be smitten by revenge (BEDE). Such persons have shed the blood of the prophets and have understood the spiritual law only in a fleshly way. Rightly, then, they are handed over to the corruptions of flesh and blood (PRIMASIUS). It is as though God had given them blood to drink, for those who turn from the prophets become participants in their murder (ANDREW OF CAESAREA). Those who serve at the heavenly altar give thanks to God for his righteous judgments (OECUMENIUS). Indeed, while angels above give thanks to God, a divine angel attends to each one of us. This angel converses with our minds and rejoices when those who have been darkened by sin become contrite and confess to God. May our manner of life give cause for joy among the angels (ANDREW OF CAESAREA).

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