The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.
Here we have an account of the seventh and last angel pouring forth his vial, contributing his part towards the accomplishment of the downfall of Babylon, which was the finishing stroke. And here, as before, observe, I. Where this plague fell - on the air, upon the prince of the power of the air, that is, the devil.
Commenting on Revelation 16:17-21
And every island fled away,.... This may be understood either of the dissolution of the world, the present heavens and earth, when there will be no more sea, Rev 21:1 and so consequently no islands: and the mountains were not found; for the earth and the heaven will be fled away at the appearance of Christ the Judge, and there will be no place found...
Verse 19. And the great city was divided into three parts. The city of Babylon; or the mighty power that was represented by Babylon. . The division here mentioned into three parts was manifestly with reference to its destruction--either that one part was smitten and the others remained for a time, or that one form of destruction came on one part, and another on the others.