Primary References: Revelation 16:10-11

The fifth vial judgment is a plague of darkness and the angel pours it out on two places: the seat of power of the beast and his kingdom. Most likely, this darkness covers both Mystery Babylon and the ten-ruler confederation that is his basis of power. This plague may be the catalyst God uses to turn the ten nations against the antichrist, and more importantly, Mystery Babylon. Somehow, the darkness is so painful that people literally bite their tongues; but even then, they still do not repent. This is another plague the Egyptians suffered (Exodus 10:21-23), but there was no evidence of this kind of pain associated with the Egyptian’s darkness. If the source of the darkness is some form of caustic airborne pollution, it might explain the pain. As with so many mysteries in prophecies, the causes of this darkness must remain a mystery.