Sabbath: The Seven Last Plagues
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 15:1; Rev. 7:1-3; Rev. 14:9-10; Rev. 16:1-12; Daniel 5:1-31; Rev. 15:1; Rev. 16:16; 2 Thess. 2:9-12.
Memory Text: “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested” (Revelation 15:4, NKJV).
Revelation 11:18 summarizes events on earth right before the battle of Armageddon: “The nations were angry”. This state of affairs on earth matches Jesus’ description of the last days (Luke 21:25) and is followed by God’s wrath, which are His judgments in the form of the seven last plagues upon the unrepentant (Rev. 15:1).
Revelation 15 opens with the picture of seven angels with seven bowls filled with this divine wrath. But before this outpouring happens, we have a future glimpse of God’s faithful people (Rev. 15:1-4). They are described as victorious “over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name” (Rev. 15:2, NKJV), as they stand on something resembling a sea of glass and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb – all images reminiscent of the Hebrews on the shores of the Red Sea, celebrating God’s victory over the Egyptians (Exodus chapter 15).
These victorious saints are the same ones referred to as the 144,000 in Revelation 14:1-5. Having refused the mark of the beast, they are protected from the seven last plagues. Then, at the Second Advent their mortal bodies are transformed and clothed with immortality (1 Cor. 15:51-54), and they will join the resurrected saints when Jesus comes in power and glory (1 Thess. 4:17).
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 16.
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Here are a few things to think about:
I am a bird photographer and I find that birds often give us a little glimpse of the health of our environment. I have noticed the increasing number of dead and injured birds resulting from human debris. In particular, the incidence of seabirds with fishing line injuries such as loss of legs. I am also very much aware of the devastating loss of about 80% of migratory shorebirds that occurred in the last 20 years. I could cite many more personal observations but I think you get the picture. Such loss is an indication of something seriously wrong with our oceans and waterways. Huge islands of floating debris in the middle of the ocean, large lakes which have become almost sterile, or infected with toxic algal bloom; all an indication of the growing impact of our greedy impact on our planet.
We are destroying huge tracts of forest, the lungs of our earth to grow beef, palm oil, cotton and other commodities that are ubiquitous to our modern self-centered society.
Skin cancer is on the increase, particularly in places like Australia. Where once, the structure of the atmosphere absorbed the more harmful rays of the sun, the loss of ozone etc due to our lifestyle use of chemicals has resulted in us being exposed to harmful UV radiation. Even in my own extended family, we have lost several relatives to melanoma.
A century ago, the seven last plagues were probably perceived as supernatural events, but today many of us recognize that they could be self-inflicted. That does not make them any less important but reinforces the idea that the effect of sin is devasting.
Perhaps we are seeing the commencement of the seven last plagues already. Are we simply ignoring them to salve our feeling that we still have time to get ready? Maybe it is time to remind ourselves that the Second Coming is unexpected.
And if what you are saying is correct (and I believe it is a biblically-consistent view), it has significant implications for the portrayal of God. It would mean that the view of God as the source of the plagues is actually Satan’s misportrayal of God as a punisher and destroyer via transposition of Satan’s own character upon God.
And if we recall Jn 10:10, we can also add the words steal, kill and destroy to the list of character attributes that Satan has attributed to God.
Maurice, you wrote,
While I think humanity's abuse of the environment can contribute to the "last plagues," I believe there's more to it. Here's why: The last plagues appear to be a parallel to the plagues of Egypt with a somewhat similar purpose.
The plagues of Egypt were to demonstrate to a proud monarch that he was defying the God of creation. With each plague, he was given a chance to repent. But he did not.
Note that God takes full responsibility for the last plagues. (Note there are only five actual "plagues." See Rev 16:1-10) And at the conclusion of the fifth plague, we read "...they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God." (Rev 6:10) This implies that, like the Egyptian monarch, rebellious humans could repent if they wished to, but they will not. This demonstrates to the onlooking universe that there's nothing more that God can do to awaken rebellious humanity to its need.
It seems to me that this point would lose much of its force if the plagues were merely self-inflicted -- though I don't doubt that humanity will blame them on natural causes, to avoid being responsible to God.
The Bible actually speaks of "bowls containing God’s wrath," rather than plagues, although the first five can legitimately be described as plagues. I'd now like to call on Phil's description of "God's wrath":
This is the way God acts from His character of self-renouncing love. As humanity hurtles towards earth's final moments, God brings about events that will leave no doubt as to where individuals' allegiance lies. He is preparing to set things right - they way they ought to be, and He makes sure that the issues are crystal clear to everyone.
When the sixth bowl is poured out, it will look as though the dragon, the beast and the false prophet are in control. But this series of "bowls of wrath" being poured out assures us that even then, God is still in control. He is still the Almighty.
Again, to my mind, the idea that these are just "natural" man-caused events seems to strip these passages of their power.
God has a history of using natural events in a supernatural way.
Maurice, can you elaborate on God's "history of using natural events in a supernatural way," please? (For instance, in these events, is it clear that God is doing something supernatural, or would most observers only see "natural events"?)
Thanks.
The signs of the sun, moon, and falling stars. They were natural (explainable) events, yet God used those to draw attention to the need to preach the soon coming of Jesus.
Ah, I thought maybe that's what you meant. Those happened in post-biblical times, and I believe God caused minds to turn to "the end of the world" to awaken them from their spiritual stupor.
But I was also wondering if there were any in biblical times, because I can't think of any off the top of my head.
Inge, I agree these events are sudden and out of the ordinary, the last chance to choose the LORD's side in the controversy.
I do agree mankind are destroying nature, I don't see the process being reversed, Rev 11:18 tells it is one of the reasons for God's wrath and why He will destroy those who destroy the earth.
Inge, I know what you mean about robbing the passages of their power and appreciate your thoughts here. It seems to me that there is that tension between God being passive or active in the pouring out of His wrath. Some see it as God actively bringing about the harsh results. Others see God withdrawing His active compassions that have sustained all living, keeping natural results from reaching a complete fulfillment. I am not so sure any of us can fully detect which is which. There is even a third category of people who see God using the devil as some kind of a puppet (think Job) when it comes to disasters. That God doesn't actually bring it about, but He allows the devil to do the "dirty work."
I am really appreciating the opportunity for 'peer review' on this topic. Thanks guys.
Maurice, may I extend your thought a little further: "God has a history of using natural events in a supernatural way."
What if God, in His Omniscience, so intimately knows how reality works that He utilises that reality to bring about the optimal abundant life outcome?
If so, this would be consistent with Rom 8:28 and the sequence where Paul outlines the phenomenological expression of God's wrath in Rom 1:18, 24, 26, 28.
And if it is so, would the Masterful utilisation of reality (the perfect 'orchestration' suggested by Rom 8:28) perhaps amplify the power of God rather than reducing it? [To me, just contemplating this as I write on Sabbath morning calls forth within my spirit the expression towards God "You are so Awesome!"]
Phil, you ask:
In this you ascribe "omniscience" to God, and you suggest further that
And thus you suggest that God's omnipotence is demonstrated by his "perfect 'orchestration'" of a reality apparently existing apart from Him. (If I misunderstood, please clarify.)
The problem I see with this is that in your scenario God's power appears to be limited to manipulating a reality that exists apart from Him. And that's especially concerning because that's not far removed from what the serpent suggested to Eve at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He suggested that a break with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe would not result in death, but rather in a higher state of existence. He suggested that there is life (a reality) apart from the Creator. (Again, please clarify if you were not wishing to suggest a reality apart from the Creator.)
You see, I believe that God was telling the exact truth when He told Adam and Eve that in the day they ate of the tree, they would start to die, as some Bible interpreters put it. But I'd take it one step further to suggest that they would have died instantly if the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" had not stepped into the breach between Creator and creature to prevent this death from happening - so that Adam and Eve might have a period of probation. (If God is the Sustainer of life, then a break from the Sustainer means cessation of life, just as surely as an electric light bulb separated from the source of power will cease to have light.)
Although Paul apparently failed to convince any of the philosophers on Mars Hill about the Good News of salvation , he did leave us with some important truths:
When Paul speaks of "having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands and territories," he suggests that God exercises a certain amount of control over the nations of the earth and their "appointed times" and "boundaries." Certainly the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation provide substance to that concept. In other words, God does not just allow "reality" to take its course, but He actively directs what and how "reality" happens on this planet (and, by extension, the rest of the universe) within the context of allowing the great controversy to run its course. (1 Cor 4:9 suggests that life on this planet holds the interest of the universe and is closely integrated in it.)
I want to focus particularly on "in Him we actually have our being." To me that implies that God is the Sustainer of life. It also implies to me that God exists outside His creation and thus has total control over it, as opposed to just knowing all possibilities of what may/will happen and prophesying what He knows will take place. (For example, I don't believe God manipulated Korah, Dathan, Abiram and their families to stand directly over a sink hole that He knew would suddenly open up and then close again. He had and has the power to make such things happen. He actively intervenes in His creation to limit and/or destroy evil.)
(I will leave the discussion of the judgement for another time.)
I would just like to share some thoughts Inge. I heard a sermon a month or so ago by an elder of a church. The sermon was all around a preface of God does not destroy. It seemed to me he was even talking about judgement. He had several text and a quote I remember from EGW that reads, God does not destroy, we destroy ourselves. Yes true from that context. Yes, God does not want anyone to be lost as evidenced by His mercy. I believe there are different meanings of destroy, one is as related to our salvation the other as related to Judgement. To me the the 7 last plagues are God's judgement on those who have not listened, or obeyed the three angels message, and would like to kill those who do, and as you have mentioned just one there are many others.———-The time line(commencing of the 7 last plagues), Paul Blanke, appears to me to be about the time, God’s people are about to be consumed by those who refuse to obey, as we are fleeing to the mountains, very shortly before Christ second coming. And shortly before the close of probation, by one or two plagues. Someone once said we will know if we are saved or not by whether or not we get rash. He was certainly smart lipped. I do believe we will know, before then because of our close relationship with Christ, giving us trust in Him, thus dissolving fear of uncertainty.
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify...
It would appear that there is an “abundant life” reality (the Kingdom of God) where God is Sovereign. This reality is contingent upon a source of life and God is that Source (as per Acts 17 texts you cited) and is also contingent upon the order that alone is provided by constants/principles/‘laws’ that constitue this reality. Paul refers to this reality as the law of the Spirit of life (Rom 8:2).
Then there is a ‘reality’ outside of the Kingdom of God due to the existence of Satan and his Kingdom of Darkness. This reality is characterised by the “lawlessness” of self-seeking and therefore produces chaos (as opposed to order). Consequently, this reality steals, kills and destroys. Paul refers to this reality as the “law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2). It is a ‘reality’ because it currently exists.
The potential for this ‘reality’ is always in existence because of the free choice that is necessary under the Kingdom of God reality of non-compulsive love. Typically, the activation of this potential would be very short lived because lawlessness can do nothing other than result in annihilation of life (that is the nature and character of lawlessness).
However, because of the nature of the insinuated allegation that Lucifer made against God, God needed to let the evidence of Lucifer’s proposed alternative ‘play-out’ so that the evidence would ‘speak for itself’ and vindicate God’s nature and character. Hence, God has needed to restrain/modulate the inherent consequences of lawlessness such that we are currently under a state of ‘restrained lawlessness’ (Rev 7:1).
The modulated reality of lawlessness (metaphorically referred to as darkness by John) is the part of reality that is outside of God and His Kingdom because God only dwells within lawfulness (metaphorically referred to as light by John). This is why I do not believe God is responsible for what happens within the zone/‘reality’ of lawlessness. But this does not mean that God is not able to orchestrate what occurs within the zone/‘reality’ of lawlessness to a resolution of the problem/s posed by its co-existence (as per Rom 8:28).
Bottom line is that the Kingdom of Darkness exists (therefore it is a reality and therefore presently an actuated part of reality), but that it’s nature and character is at odds with the nature and character of God. Therefore, God is not the initiator of what that reality produces (steal, kill and destroy) and therefore is not legitimately responsible for such initiation - Satan as the prince of darkness is. But in His Omniscience and Omnipotence, God is able to overarchingly orchestrate that which He is not responsible for to nevertheless ultimately bring about a return once again back to the way things were before the reality of the kindom of darkness was actuated (Rom 8:28 in action).
You might say to me that this is mere speculation. Yes, it is speculation, but I would propose it is evidence-informed speculation in that it is consistent (rather than inconsistent) with key aspects of scripture regarding the nature and character of God and His kingdom and the nature and character of Satan and His Kingdom. It upholds God and
His Kingdom exclusively as the Source of Life and Satan and his Kingdom exclusively as the source of death and destruction. Hence it is true to key passages such as Jn 10:10, Jn 3:16,17; 2 Pet 3:9; Gal 6:8; Jas 1:14-15; etc.
That is the best I can explain it at this point ... and I am only a fallible human who is trying to understand as much as I can of God’s ways so I can honour and serve God and serve others. As I have said before, I would sooner surrender my eternal life than lead someone astray through promotion of false notions of God.
Thank you for the clarification, Phil. I believe I understand your view a bit better, but I'm guessing I'm still missing a lot. You say that God is the Source of all life in the Kingdom of God. But what about life in the "Kingdom of Darkness"? Who keeps its citizens alive?
Here's how I see it:
I believe the two kingdoms referenced in the Bible are of a spiritual nature.
The Kingdom of God requires a new birth to enter. It requires responding to the true Light that lightens every person who comes into this world. (See John 1:1-9).
Note what John says about Christ: He is the "true Light" which "enlightens every man." (John 1:9 NASB) This leaves no one out. Thus I believe God actively pursues every person born on this planet and seeks to woo them into His Kingdom of Light. God's angels watch over and protect even those who have not yet responded to the Light. I believe that's what Christ refers to in Matt 5:45.
So I do not see a "kingdom of darkness" distinct from the Kingdom of God, except in its teachings. Satan is a usurper and has claimed this planet for His own, but that doesn't mean he is its rightful owner. When Christ walked incarnate on this planet, He acknowledged Satan as "prince of this world," but Christ invaded the "kingdom of darkness" and by His own life He cast out the "prince of this world." (John 12:31) Adam and Eve reigned only subject to Christ, and when Satan usurped their place as son and daughter of God, Satan was still subject to Christ. But, Christ, in His incarnation, took even that victory from Satan. Henceforth, the "Son of Man" is also the rightful human representative of this planet. (What an awesome Saviour!)
The kingdoms are Kingdoms of the mind and heart (Luke 17:21), and the War of Armageddon is a war over minds. God is always present and active in every part of this world and every individual until that individual permanently reject the offer of salvation.
Part of God's plan of "setting things right" is to utterly destroy the marks of sin on this planet. And that includes the annihilation of all proponents of sin. Granted, He could just cut off His life-sustaining power, and they would all be gone in a poof!, but it seems that is not how He has chosen to do it, judging by what I read in my Bible. In fact, Revelation tells us that God will go so far as to resurrect the wicked (See Rev 20:5-9) to allow them to see what they have rejected and to demonstrate that their hearts are utterly evil as they prepare to attack the holy city. I don't quite see how to interpret Rev 20:9 metaphorically, and I don't see why we should. God has created humans with an inner drive to see justice done, and part of that is to see that those who have caused great suffering will get to understand a little suffering themselves.
Within the last year I read a personal account of a woman who had been terribly sexually abused. When a church tried to help her, the pastor told her she was supposed to forgive what her abuser had done to her and forget all about it. Her spirit rebelled against this injustice. And then she began to read the Bible for herself. She discovered a God who goes to bat for the helpless and the abused - a God who will exact vengeance and says, "I will repay." (See Rom 12:19, Heb 10:30 and Deut 32:41.) And that's what allowed her to give her resentment to God and truly accept His grace. She finally found safety and peace in the arms of God. I suspect there are many in her shoes, and I believe we should hesitate to take away the force of Bible texts that give comfort to those who need it most.
Thanks for your perspective Inge. I will keep what you have outlined in mind as I study further.
(Rest assured I am particularly mindful of your last paragraph as I have and continue to work/walk along with many people with such experiences.)
Thanks, Phil. I particularly appreciate your parenthetical remark.
My dear brother Maurice, if I read and understand the text correctly, your interpretation of the nature of the last plagues is not in concert with the timing of the same:
1. The mark of the beast is not far distant, but yet future
2. The image of the beast is still being formed, and quickly so, but yet future.
The last plagues are poured out in the context of the above.
These plagues will fall when probation ends, and Jesus completes the investigation of those whose names were written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Let us remain true to the text, and carefully consider the context.
Bear in mind that I posted my thoughts as something to think about, not as an alternative truth. There are a lot of issues regarding the Seven Last Plagues and one of the problems that I have wrestled with is the timing issue. I wrote an essay on the timing of last day events back in 1963 as a first-year College student. I saw many of the events/times in sequence clearly back then, but now, I am more concerned that I get the big picture relationship right. One thing has emerged from my struggle: it would be a sad thing to sacrifice the relationship I have with Jesus because I did not get the sequence of events right. I remain with open questions and possible answers; and I hope that our discussion is open enough to improve the relationship with Jesus and put the sequence of prophecied events into the appropriate perspective.
Make no mistake, the plagues originate from the Throne of the universe. Only the Sovereign could perpetrate what these plagues will accomplish upon those who would destroy God's faithful servants who have placed their lives in His hands, while they will be saved from them. Satan would not bring this upon himself and his followers. These are not the natural result of sin or nature, but God is in this prophecy taking full responsibility.
Please, to any who doubt the truth of this word, search your heart, for something lurks unknown and unseen that plants the seed of doubt and unbelief(this is not an accusation, but the conclusion of God's word and an observation of our present condition as a church). This is the waning hour for such soul-searching, and no one is exempt from this need(2 Cor 13:5).
This chapter of the Revelation is very clear.
The personal opinions expressed above are of some interest. We look for the soon return of Jesus! It is with eager anticipation that we seek an indication,or a sign, to determine when this might be. God has determined when, where, and how. We need to be ready always.
I have always been intrigued with the wonder of how people would refuse the gospel as expressed by the redeemed upon the sea of glass. They appear to reveal an astonishment that man would reject the grace and mercies of God, refuse to behold His true character in Jesus Christ. Yet, that is what has happened. The out pouring of the Spirit of God has settled people either into the truth or, though rejecting, into the Lie. The plagues will sort those two classes out.
Just a second note as we enter into this study. The bowl plagues are all poured out on something that brings about an affect. The first is upon the earth, and boils spring up upon man. The second, upon the seas and they become blood. Third upon the springs of water and they become blood, too. Fourth upon the sun and heat becomes intense. Fifth upon the throne of the beast, its center of power that was given it by the dragon. The sixth upon the river Euphrates, which dries it up and then enters another attempt at deception by the false trinity (the time of the counterfeit of Satan coming as Christ). The seventh upon the air and the city of Babylon collapses into three parts, due to a mighty earthquake, the time when Jesus comes in power and great glory (revealed in chapter 19). It's a fascinating and even horrifying succession of events that I hope we can further insight through this week.
Kevin, do you know the time line for the plagues mentioned? One may wonder who is affected; our life time here and now, or another time? The locations that are mentioned I would assume are familiar to John.
Hello Paul:
Forgive me, but I am not sure what you are asking in "do you know the timeline for the plagues." Can you clarify, please.
Comparing scripture with scripture, when reading Rev 16:1, compare and contrast it with Rom 1:18.
If Paul and John are both talking about the same "God's wrath", then Paul's explanation of 'mechanism' of God's wrath in Rom 1: 24, 26 and 28 will suggest a different conceptualisation of what is going on in Rev 16 - that God is revealing (as per the book's title Revelation) the natural cascade of what is going to unfold as opposed to being the manufacturer of it.
The metaphor of pouring out a bowl can be interpreted as 'manufacturing' the resulting phenomenon or it can be interpreted as releasing the previous confinement (as per the concept expressed in Rev 7:1) to the inherent cascade of outcomes that result from the nature and character of sin/lawlessness - steal, kill and destroy.
Hence, understanding the mechanism of God's wrath will help us identify which interpretation is the more likely.
Another clue that will help us rightly divide scripture (2 Tim 2:15) is keeping Isa 55:8,9 in mind. Which of the two options above is more like how we operate as humans? That is the one that is the least likely to represent how God operates.
There is always peril in our (fallen)human "reasoning" isn't there?
"...Casting down imaginations(reasoning), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;", would be Paul's response here wouldn't it?
There is a strange irony in using scripture to change the true meaning of scripture.
Just sharing my opinion, and a caution.
What am I to say to that Robert?
If what you are saying about me (and others are agreeing) is in fact the truth - that I am only using fallen human reasoning and even worse that I am using scripture to change the true meaning of scripture - then I rightfully deserve the condemnation outlined in Matt 18:6, 7.
I assure you, I am not being neither sarcastic nor spiteful by this comment.
Phil, as publisher of this blog, I want to offer my heart-felt apologies to you that the comment to which you are replying made it through the moderatorial process and was published.
I accept that you comment in good faith and are seeking a better understanding of the truths we hold dear, just as I am. You are helping us re-examine some beliefs we may not have examined before, and that is a good thing. After all, an unexamined faith is not worth having, and we cannot genuinely answer for a faith we have not examined for ourselves.
We strive to moderate for a safe and friendly discussion environment, and any comment that suggest that another writer is not posting in good faith, but rather "using scripture to change the true meaning of scripture" counters our purpose for this blog.
If that is not made sufficiently clear in our Comment Guide Lines, I invite readers to review them and suggest better wording.
(I believe our moderators generally do a great job moderating for a safe and friendly discussion environment. However, they lead active lives in the real world, and this weekend was a very busy time for the blog. Sometimes things slip by when things get too busy.)
Thanks Inge - but no apology is needed.
You and the moderators do an amazing job that I appreciate is very time-consuming on top of the busyness of life.
To all the ssnet team, your efforts are greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work...
Phil
It may be we will only come to a perfect agreement when the vials are poured out and we see them for what they really are. We might both be mistaken at the present time.
If you wish to use other scriptures to understand God's "wrath", what about the flood, the tower, the cities of the plain, and many more examples? God said He brought the flood, and the 1st angel reminds us that God "made...the fountains of water". Jude says the cities suffered "the vengeance of eternal fire". Perhaps God's wrath is different than some want to believe it is? I don't believe God gets angry as sinners get angry(just look at the cross), but who is saying anger must be the motivation for the "wrath of God", as when the earth is covered by water, or cities go up in smoke? Is a doctor angry at a patient when he cuts them open with a knife to remove a cancerous growth from their lung? The tumor might see it as anger, but what about the lung, or it's owner, or the owner's wife and children? Only the wicked will feel it as wrath.(If God was angry with the flood, why did He provide the means of escaping it? I believe that if the ark had been too small to hold all those wishing to board it, God would have canceled the flood, as He did with Nineveh. We know that the Lord would have spared the cities of the plain for only 10 righteous souls. What does this tell us about His wrath? And if we truly know the greatness of His love, we would realize the great peril those cities presented to the rest of the world if allowed to persist. We must trust God's judgment, or we will be mistaken about His motives. We must know Him and Jesus whom HE sent.)
Phil, you are in a public discussion, and this may bring observations and perhaps cautions at times. The kitchen can get heated, but only because things are being accomplished. My caution does not condemn you as wrong, it only acknowledges that I happen to believe you might be treading on a perilous course, but I could be the one mistaken. It's just how I see it today with the limitations of this flesh. I study, pray, and draw conclusion from these activities, but I'm seeking for truth, and I never doubt you are seeking the same. If you are sure of your conviction, my caution will be nothing but my view/opinion. Don't bemoan the caution, meet it with your best conviction or at least consider it's goodwill intentions.
Thank you Robert for your elaboration. That helps me more clearly understand where you are coming from.
Rather than bemoaning the caution, I was openly stating that I fully accept accountability for what I write.
I write both with conviction and full willingness to accept accountability.
A group of people who Will not need to drink of the wrath of God.
They followed the lamb whithersoever he goes.
They have preferred hardship and even death rather than rebel against God.
Some of them once belonged to the papal church itself = for they have gained victory over the beast.
Some once belonged to the fallen churches in Protestantism = have gained victory over the image of the beast.
All were willing to die rather than disobey the commandments of God = they have gotten victory over the mark of the beast.
Do you find it difficult understanding these chapters of Revelation? I recommend reading Psalm 79-86 which deal with the same issues. Ps 73- the author was envious of the prosperity of the wicked and questioned God and then found the answer in the sanctuary.
There are too many similarities to discuss in this short post so I will just list them to awaken your interest: how long?, covenant, blasphemy, creation, cup poured out, horns, judgement, commandments, plagues of Egypt, temple defiled, avenge blood of saints, dwell between cherubim, trumpets, confederacy against God, worship God.
These issues have all been part of the Great Controversy from the beginning and the good news is there will be an end and soon God will cleanse the world and everything and everyone will be in harmony with the character of the LORD. Amen, even so LORD come quickly.
When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God’s people.
The Book of Revelation, Ellen G. White Notes p.75
It is my belief that the view of the 144,000 given in the briefest chapter of the Revelation is their experience at that hour, before the falling of the plagues and Jesus' appearing, which is the 7th plague. There is no entering of the temple when the plagues are falling after probation has closed. This MUST be our experience if we would be found “faultless” at this time. Their description in both Rev 14 & 15 is the result of their having been judged. It is in the judgment that white robes are given to all who have overcome, while the sentence of death and the plagues are reserved for the ungodly who remain guilty before God, who will receive their final judgment at the close of the 1000 years. The plagues are judgments(7th Trumpet) upon the wicked who have united for the purpose of destroying the people of God, but at that time, prophecy reveals the fall of the wicked as Michael stands up for His people in that hour(Dan 11:44, 45; 12:1-3).
Children of God, we should not focus too much on a timeline. Study his word and know that his word brings truth.
Be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. God gave us enough warnings and information to prepare his children for the 2nd coming of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Be ready at all time because we will never know when he will burst through the clouds... Now is not a guessing time. It's time to be prepared and be ready.
Good point about time lining.
Being prepared and ready though is merely a by-product of how we need to live our lives every day: honouring and growing in God and serving others. Both are daily exercising of self-renouncing/Agape love that fosters character transformation into ‘light’ and ‘salt’.
The plagues, just like the trumpets are as a result of the need for God to avenge the persecution of His people. The story of Exodus gives us a historical background.
Let's consider the parallels between the trumpets and plagues:
First trumpet and plague: Afflict the earth
Second trumpet and plague: Afflicts the sea
Third trumpet and plague: Afflicts the rivers and fountains of waters
Fourth trumpet and plague: Afflict heavenly bodies
Fifth trumpet and plague: Heavenly bodies darkened
Sixth trumpet and plague: Mention of the Euphrates
Seventh trumpet and plague: Kingdom
On the trumpets, the KEY WORD is a THIRD (partial). On the plagues, the key word is ALL (worldwide, not necessarily universal).
The PLAGUES are also CONSECUTIVE and CUMULATIVE in their effects, with an increased level of FURY with the next one.
Each plague is also a specific punishment for a specific sin which has been committed in Babylon.
It is interesting to note the two contrasting groups in Revelation:
Babylon Jerusalem
1. Wicked follow beast 2. Righteous follow the Lamb
2. Babylon has false trinity 2. God is true trinity
3. False trinity gathers wicked 3. Three holy angels gather righteous
4. The wicked have the mark of the beast 4. The righteous have the seal of God.
5. Wicked gathered as grapes outside the city 5. Righteous gathered INSIDE the city.
6. Destination of wicked: Lake of fire 6. Destination of the righteous - SEA of glass.
Dear Brethren,
Greetings! I am happy for this blog! Sometimes I dont agree but it helps me to dig deeper and I appreciate seeing things from another angle. We are to have an opened mind and in so doing, it will help us meet objections when witnessing. I love the spiritual maturity demonstrated amongst you all and it testifies that you all are growing in God's Grace.
The below comments were what I found in Spirit of Prophecy, especially last comment on "plagues"
I find this sentence interesting:
"The Lord will not interfere." In other words, the Lord is not causing these calamities. But as the Spirit of God is rejected more and more widely by the population of this planet, His influence decreases and Satan's influence increases - resulting in an increase of "calamities." Remember the "angels holding the four winds" of Rev 7:1? I believe these angel messengers are symbolic of God's restraining power on the results of wickedness on this planet. While the angels are holding the winds, the Lord is still protecting people in some measure from the consequences of sin.
And, the last quoted paragraph also says "as if by a breath of fire from heaven" and "God permits them to come that the world may take heed, that sinners may be afraid and tremble before Him."
Is there Biblical support for what is being suggested here - that there is a phenomenon at work that God is "not interfer(ing) to protect against", but rather "permits"?
1 Jn 3:4 both defines and describes what sin functionally is (ie how it actually operates or functions): "sin is lawlessness". What does this actually mean?
What are laws (as opposed to rules)? They are constants - meaning principles that don't change (ie "immutable").
What then is the function of laws? Laws are the mechanism by which the order that God created at creation is fostered/maintained.
What then happens under lawlessness (rebellion against law through being out of harmony with law)? Chaos - things falling apart, breaking up, dying (the steal, kill and destroy of Jn 10:10).
As per Rom 1:20, think of the laws of health as an example. Living in harmony with these laws promotes health. Conversely, living out of harmony with these laws promotes disease.
Could the quotes above be referring to the functionality of sin/lawlessness that God is permitting to come upon the world so that a more full manifestation of evidence countering Satan's original insinuations against God can be witnessed by all (see Gen 3:4,5)?
[PS: Wonder why this world is in such a mess? If you think about it, we actually have both God-based law (order) and sin-based lawlessness (chaos) operating within our world - an antagonistic phenomenon and therefore part of the Great Controversy].