A Detailed KJV Study of Revelation’s Last Plagues and Satan’s Final Casting Down
By Junior Tate Ministries
The Book of Revelation reveals a series of judgments that will fall upon this world in the future Tribulation period. These judgments come in three main series:
- The Seven Seals (Revelation 6–8)
- The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8–11)
- The Seven Vials (or Bowls) (Revelation 15–16)
- 21 Total Judgments that will happen to this earth during the 7 year Tribulation.
The Seven Vial Judgments are described as “the seven last plagues”, for in them the wrath of God is finished. They are not symbolic human events—but direct, final, and supernatural judgments poured out from the very presence of God.
THE SETTING: HEAVEN PREPARES FOR THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES
Before the vials are poured out, Revelation gives us a scene in heaven.
The Seven Last Plagues Introduced
Revelation 15:1 (KJV)
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”
Scripture clearly states:
- These are “seven last plagues.”
- In them the wrath of God is “filled up”—reaching its completion.
The Victorious Saints and the Song of Moses and the Lamb
Revelation 15:2–4 (KJV)
“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”
Even as judgment is about to fall, heaven testifies:
- God’s works are great and marvellous.
- His ways are just and true.
- His judgments are holy, not unfair or cruel.
The Angels Receive the Vials of Wrath
Revelation 15:5–7 (KJV)
“And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.”
The vials are not man-made. They are “full of the wrath of God.”
THE COMMAND GIVEN TO POUR OUT THE VIALS
Revelation 16:1 (KJV)
“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”
A great voice from the temple (from God’s presence) gives the command. The time for mercy as a nation-wide reprieve has passed; the time for final wrath has come.
THE FIRST VIAL: GRIEVOUS SORES ON THE WORSHIPPERS OF THE BEAST
Revelation 16:2 (KJV)
“And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”
What Scripture Clearly States
- This plague is targeted: it falls only on those who
“had the mark of the beast, and… worshipped his image.”
- The sore is called:
- “noisome” – corrupt, foul.
- “grievous” – painful, severe.
This is a visible, physical judgment upon those who have aligned themselves with the Antichrist and openly rejected God. The text does not call it symbolic—it is a real, bodily affliction.
THE SECOND VIAL: THE SEA BECOMES AS BLOOD
Revelation 16:3 (KJV)
“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.”
Key Details
- The sea is struck.
- It becomes “as the blood of a dead man”—thick, congealed, lifeless.
- “Every living soul died in the sea.”
This goes beyond the earlier Trumpet judgments (where a third part of the sea life died). Here, all life in the sea is destroyed. This would completely collapse marine ecosystems, food sources, shipping, and global commerce.
THE THIRD VIAL: RIVERS AND FOUNTAINS BECOME BLOOD
Revelation 16:4–7 (KJV)
“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.”
What Scripture Shows
- All freshwater sources—rivers and fountains—become blood.
- An angel explicitly declares God to be righteous in this judgment.
- This is divine retribution:
“For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.”
The world that shed the blood of God’s people is now given blood instead of water. The Bible plainly connects this judgment to persecution of the saints.
THE FOURTH VIAL: SCORCHING HEAT FROM THE SUN
Revelation 16:8–9 (KJV)
“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.”
Clear Statements of Scripture
- The sun is affected.
- Men are “scorched with great heat.”
- Instead of repenting, they blaspheme God.
- Scripture notes plainly:
“they repented not to give him glory.”
This is a direct blow to the physical comfort and survival of mankind. Yet even in severe heat and judgment, many still refuse to repent.
THE FIFTH VIAL: DARKNESS AND PAIN UPON THE KINGDOM OF THE BEAST
Revelation 16:10–11 (KJV)
“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”
What the Text Reveals
- This vial targets the “seat of the beast”—his throne and kingdom.
- The kingdom becomes full of darkness.
- People gnaw their tongues for pain.
- They blaspheme God and do not repent.
This is not merely a dimming of light. It is a painful judgment, a spiritual and physical heaviness. Yet, Scripture emphasizes again their unrepentant hearts.
THE SIXTH VIAL: EUPHRATES DRIED UP AND ARMAGEDDON PREPARED
Revelation 16:12 (KJV)
“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.”
The drying of the great river Euphrates prepares the way for the “kings of the east” to move toward the land of Israel.
Unclean Spirits Gathering the Nations
Revelation 16:13–16 (KJV)
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
Key points:
- Three unclean spirits, like frogs, proceed from:
- The dragon (Satan)
- The beast (Antichrist)
- The false prophet
- They are called “the spirits of devils, working miracles.”
- Their purpose is to gather the kings of the earth to “that great day of God Almighty.”
- They are gathered at a real place:
“a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
This vial prepares the way for the final, climactic confrontation at Armageddon.
THE SEVENTH VIAL: “IT IS DONE”: THE GREATEST EARTHQUAKE AND FINAL COLLAPSE
Revelation 16:17–21 (KJV)
“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.”
Important Details
- The vial is poured “into the air.”
- A voice from the throne says: “It is done.”
- A unique, unprecedented earthquake occurs—worse than any in human history.
- The great city is divided.
- The cities of the nations fall.
- Every island fled away, and the mountains were not found—global topographical changes.
- Huge hailstones (about a talent in weight—very heavy) fall upon men.
- Even under this, they blaspheme God and do not repent.
Here, the vial judgments are completed, and the world is prepared for the visible return of Jesus Christ in glory (Revelation 19).
10. SATAN CAST DOWN: THE COMPLETION OF THE THIRD WOE
You also asked specifically about Revelation 12:9, where Satan is cast down, and how this relates to his role as “prince of the power of the air” and the third woe.
War in Heaven and Satan Cast to Earth with the Fallen Angels
Revelation 12:7–9 (KJV)
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Scripture affirms:
- A real war in heaven.
- Michael and his angels fight Satan and his angels.
- Satan “prevailed not” and “their place was found no more in heaven.”
- Satan and his angels are cast out into the earth with the fallen angels we know as demons today.
- These angels were cast out before man was created in the Gargen of Eden; when satan turned a third of God’s angels against him and they were all kicked out of Heaven.
The Resulting Woe Upon the Earth
Revelation 12:12 (KJV)
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
This verse directly pronounces “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!” because:
- The devil is come down unto them.
- He has great wrath.
- He knows “that he hath but a short time.”
This intensified satanic activity on earth, after being cast down and no longer having access to heaven, is directly tied to the third “woe” on earth.
“Prince of the Power of the Air” and His Princely Role
The Bible clearly calls Satan “the prince of the power of the air.”
Ephesians 2:1–2 (KJV)
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”
Scripture also gives other related titles:
- “the prince of this world”
- John 12:31 (KJV) – “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
- John 14:30 (KJV) – “for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
- John 16:11 (KJV) – “because the prince of this world is judged.”
- “the god of this world”
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) – “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…”
These verses show:
- Satan has a current ruling influence over the world’s systems.
- He is active in the air (the spiritual realm influencing this world).
- He blinds, deceives, and rules over the system of unbelief.
Revelation 12 and the Loss of His Heavenly Access
When Revelation 12 states that “neither was their place found any more in heaven” and that Satan is cast down to the earth, it shows a change in his allowed position:
- Before this casting down, Satan had some access to the heavenly realm, as seen in Job 1:6–7, where he appears before the LORD to accuse Job.
- After Revelation 12:9–10, Scripture says:
Revelation 12:10 (KJV)
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God, day and night.”
Here, the “accuser of our brethren” is cast down and no longer accuses before God’s throne. His realm of operation is now restricted to the earth, where he exercises intense wrath in a short remaining time.
While Ephesians 2:2 calls him “the prince of the power of the air” in this present age, Revelation 12 shows a point in prophetic history where he is expelled from heavenly access and confined to earth, unleashing greater trouble there. Scripture links this casting down with a pronounced “woe” upon those on earth and sea (Revelation 12:12), which is connected to the period of the third woe in Revelation’s sequence.
We must note:
- The Bible does not use the exact phrase “this is the moment he loses his princely title,”
- But it does show a transition where:
- He can no longer appear in heaven.
- He is cast down.
- His time is short.
- His wrath is great.
- A special woe is proclaimed on earth because of his presence there.
These are clear scriptural facts.
WHAT THE SEVEN VIAL JUDGMENTS TEACH US ABOUT GOD
From the plain reading of these passages, we can see:
- God’s Wrath Is Real and Holy
- The vials are “full of the wrath of God” (Revelation 15:7).
- Heaven repeatedly affirms that His judgments are “true and righteous” (Revelation 16:7).
- Judgment Comes After Persistent Rebellion
- Even under terrible plagues, people “repented not” and blasphemed God (Revelation 16:9, 11, 21).
- Judgment falls on a world that has rejected God, persecuted His saints, and shed their blood (Revelation 16:5–6).
- Satan’s Power Is Limited and Ultimately Broken
- He is called “the prince of the power of the air” now (Ephesians 2:2),
- But Revelation shows he is cast down and restricted, and finally judged (Revelation 12; 20:10).
- God Will Bring This Present World System to an End
- The vials affect earth, sea, rivers, sun, kingdom of the beast, Euphrates, cities, islands, and mountains.
- This present order will not continue forever. God will judge and then establish the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, who shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15).
If the Holy Spirit is convicting and pulling at your heart strings today, give in to Him and follow the prayer below for your salvation in Jesus Christ! You may not ever get another chance to except Christ as your personal Savior and Lord! Your next breath is not promised!
Come! He’s Waiting on You!
Prayer to Salvation
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today admitting that I am a sinner in need of Your mercy and grace. Your Word says in Romans 10:9–10 that if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, I shall be saved. Today, I confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and my Savior. I believe with all my heart that He died for my sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.
Lord Jesus, I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. Wash me clean in Your precious blood. I turn from my old life and surrender fully to You. Come into my heart, make me a new creature, and fill me with the Holy Spirit. From this day forward, I choose to follow You, live by Your Word, and walk in the new life You have given me.
Thank You, Lord, for saving me, for forgiving me, and for writing my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I give You all the glory, honor, and praise.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
