ACC ~ Revelation 16 v9

IT IS THE HABIT OF BLASPHEMERS TO BLAME GOD. PRIMASIUS: It is the habit of blasphemers that they prefer to blame God for wickedness and iniquity rather than themselves, and therefore [they] do not seek penance after plagues but, even though tormented, continue to throw insults. For just as a bronze vase, when subjected to a great fire, brings up bubbles from the inside that boil up on the outside and exceed its own capacity, so also those who belong to the beast, resisting the Unconquered, see the church of Christ struggle with a tireless constancy, and inflamed by the flames of an intolerable envy, exhale a fire conceived in the heart through the blasphemies of an impure mouth. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.9.

THE PLAGUES FROM GOD HARDEN THE SOUL. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: These plagues from God do not strike them in the body but in the soul. And, therefore, they do not consider God but progress toward greater evil and for that reason blaspheme [God] and persecute his saints. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.9, HOMILY 12.

THE FIFTH BOWL REVELATION 16:10-11

OVERVIEW: At the coming of the Lord in glory, the impious tyranny of the antichrist will come to an end (OECUMENIUS, ANDREW OF CAESAREA). Bereft of the light of the “sun of righteousness” (ANDREW OF CAESAREA), his subjects will become darkened in their minds and confused (OECUMENIUS). The plagues sent from God will give such pain that some will gnaw on their tongues in the hope that the tribulation might cease (OECUMENIUS, ANDREW OF CAESAREA). Even now the kingdom of the antichrist is darkened, for many rejoice and make merry in their earthly happiness and do not remember their sins (PRIMASIUS, BEDE). Exalted by the arrogance of their temporary prosperity, they do not recognize the wrath of God and continue to curse God by reveling in their sins (PRIMASIUS, BEDE).

Rev