Revelation 16:8-9; Scorch Men with Fire

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Revelation 16:8-9 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. 

The fourth trumpet and the fourth plague have little in common except for the reference to the sun. The fourth trumpet sounded and a third of the sun was struck so that darkness ensued (Revelation 8:12). But in the fourth plague the sun is not eclipsed at all but shines in all its strength to burn the people, who are unable to protect themselves. Indeed, this plague is entirely new in the cycle of the seven bowls. The sun as the source of light and the source of heat that causes creation to flourish is now given power to destroy with torrid temperatures. The light of the sun normally provides warmth and comfort to all living beings, especially the human race; now the sun has become a destructive power. Instead of being a blessing, the sun has become a curse. The passive tense of the verb to give implies that God is the agent who causes this abnormality to happen.

God’s people are shielded from this ordeal. In a few places of Scripture God tells his people that “They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them” (Isa. 49:10; see also Ps. 121:6; Rev. 7:16). To his followers he is a sun and shield (Ps. 84:11).

Isaiah 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. 

Psalm 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 

Revelation 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 444–445). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Notice a contrast with earlier judgments[1] where the sun is made to emit such heat as to scorch men with fire. 

Luke 16:22-26 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

The rich man knew not God although he had all the material comforts in his earthly life. It yield him no help as he bath in the scorching heat of hell fire.

Whereas Lazarus did not have any of the good things of this earthly, eating the crumps from the rich man’s table. Yet, when he died, he was brought to paradise. What great eternal comfort!

Mark 8:36-38 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

What was the indictment? They would repent not and give God glory!

[1] Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

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.