"The Revelation is obviously not a prose composition. It is a drama, a moving picture of the unfolding kingdom of Christ in a world of carnality, sin, and death — a picture taken not with a cinematograph, but with the camera of divine revelation. Again and again throughout the book of Revelation we have noted that the vast majority of the events portrayed in the visions of John takes place in one of three realms — heaven, earth, or sea. These, of course, are not the literal, outer heavens of the universe, nor the physical planet earth, nor the actual seas of water. As we know, these symbolize three realms of life through when we pass on our journey from the depths of the kingdom of darkness unto the heights of the kingdom of life and light in Christ. As the voice from heaven declared, "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…" (Rev. 12:12)."
Much more in the text:
"There is a very important truth in these words, "And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth, and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast" (Rev. 16:2). How very meaningful is the divine signification as to upon whom the plague falls — "upon the men which had the mark of the beast." How tremendously important, how vitally significant is EVERY WORD OF GOD! We need to pay attention and give earnest heed to the precise terminology of the Holy Spirit for He never speaks carelessly nor apart from divine purpose. It is instructive to note that in every case the collective noun "men," throughout the entire Revelation, refers to men other than the overcoming company of firstfruits — the spiritual elect of the Lord. The singular word "man" is used of both overcomers and men in general, but "men" is never so used, in every case applying only to unbelievers or to those carnal religious folk who bear the mark of the beast and who pay homage to his image — the worldly church systems of man. The chosen and separated elect are "redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb" (Rev. 14:4). The message here is clear and unmistakable — "men" signifies the natural man, the carnal man, the Adamic man — indeed, the FLESH! Does that not reveal to us clearly and unquestionably who it is that God is dealing with by the seven last plagues! He is dealing with the earth-realm of carnal Christians who are walking after the flesh! God is laying His hand of dealing upon the flesh within His people and within His church!"