These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
The sixth angel poured out his vial; and observe, I. Where it fell - upon the great river Euphrates. Some take it literally, for the place where the Turkish power and empire began; and they think this is a prophecy of the destruction of the Turkish monarchy and of idolatry, which they suppose will be effected about the same time with that of the papacy...
Commenting on Revelation 16:12-16
Behold I come as a thief,.... These are the words of Christ, inserted in a parenthesis in this account, before it is concluded, to acquaint his people with his near and sudden approach, and to give them a word of caution and exhortation in these times of difficulty; for he is the Lord God Almighty, who sent forth these angels to pour out their vials...
Verse 14. For they are the spirits of devils. On the meaning of the word used here, . It is used here, as it is in , in a bad sense as denoting evil spirits. Compare Barnes on "Mt 4:1-2,24". Working miracles. Working what seemed to be miracles; that is, such wonders as to deceive the world with the belief that they were miracles.