THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES MIXED WITH THE WRATH OF GOD

The last post ended with the emergence of the seven angels carrying the last seven plagues that will dispense the full measure of God’s wrath and vengeance against the heathen nations.  Next John sees “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony” open.

Revelation 15:5–7 “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.”

This is interesting.  After looking up all the words in the Greek, this is my paraphrase:  John sees the temple in heaven open—the place that houses the Decalogue.  This seems to have a direct connection with Revelation 11:19 providing another affirmation that the ark of the covenant is in heaven.

Revelation 11:19 “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

John now reveals that the angels are clothed appropriate to the righteousness of the judgments that will occur as a result of the plagues they hold.  It’s interesting to note that the angels are given vials full of the wrath of God to mix with their plagues.  These vials represent God’s power and authority for the judgment that is about to be poured out upon the earth and its inhabitants.

I think it is significant that those delivering the judgments of God are willing servants.  They are totally loyal and committed to obeying God.  They know His character; they know His actions are holy, just and righteous.

Emphasis is given to the fact that these vials are FULL (swelled out) of the wrath of God.  This seems to indicate that these last judgments are going to bring about the worst torment ever experienced by man on planet earth.  This conclusion is reinforced by the words of Jesus that in context reference the period of time following “the abomination of desolation” when Satan in the person of Antichrist declares himself to be “god” in the temple.

Matthew 24:21–22 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

John then tells us that the temple is filled with the smoke of the glory of God, evidently providing a visual representation of His power. 

Revelation 15:8 “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”

This reminds me of God’s appearance to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

Exodus 19:18 “And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.”

No one is allowed in the temple until the seven plagues have accomplished their objective.  This seems to imply that access was open until this time.  Next John tells us that he hears a voice of command from within the temple.

Revelation 16:1 “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”

The angels are told to go and empty their vials upon the earth.  “Go your ways”—indicates that they each have a specific direction to follow.  The Greek for “pour out” states “to pour forth…gush (pour) out…spill.  This seems to imply that the vials will be emptied quickly and with a drowning like impact.  They are all sent out at the same time, and the next few verses indicate that these judgments come in rapid succession.

(to be continued…)

GOD’S GREAT WINEPRESS & A VISION OF THE VICTORIOUS TRIBULATION SAINTS

In the last post Jesus, the Son of Man, was told that the time had come to harvest the earth, judgment that would begin purifying the earth in readiness for the establishment of His kingdom.  We are told that He indeed authorizes this judgment by thrusting His sickle against the earth.

Revelation 14:16–20 “And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”

At His thrust, another angel comes out of the temple in heaven carrying a sharp sickle.  He is followed by yet another angel who is identified as having the power over fire.  Again, it appears that there are angels with areas of delegated authority over the creation.  This angel tells the angel with the sharp sickle to go and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth because the grapes are fully ripe. 

I believe this statement is directly connected to the closing thoughts in the previous post concerning the sin of the Amorites.  God has determined that the sin of man on earth is “full.”  I am reminded of a verse in Joel.

Joel 3:12–13 “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.”

Isn’t it interesting that the angel with the power over fire is the one sending out the angel to gather together those that will end up in the lake of fire.

The angel carries out his task immediately.  This task seems directly related to the final battle of Armageddon that will occur outside the city of Jerusalem.  John compares this judgment to putting grapes into a winepress.   So much blood will be shed that it will reach to the horse’s bridles for a space of 600 furlongs, or about 75 miles.

The prophet Joel makes specific reference to the valley of Jehoshaphat, identified in Jewish tradition as the valley between the temple mount and the Mount of Olives.  I will once again share the comments of Joseph Seiss:  “The probabilities are...that a line of encamped forces shall extend from Bozrah, on the southeast, to Megiddo, on the northwest. And, singularly enough, this would measure exactly 1600 stadia (furlongs), the distance named in the text as that over which the blood from this great winepress of Jehovah’s anger flows.”

In his comment, Mr. Seiss is referencing Isaiah 63.

Isaiah 63:1–4 “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.”

This connection makes sense to me and tells me that Jesus will first go to deliver the Jewish remnant from their protected place in Bozrah en route to defeating the forces of Satan coming from Armageddon. 

Revelation 15:1–4 “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

At the beginning of chapter 15 John witnesses another sign in heaven—seven angels with the last seven plagues of the seven-year tribulation period.  He tells us that these plagues will mark the end of God’s wrath.  It seems odd to describe this sight as “great and marvelous.”  However, when you think of it in the perspective of bringing an end to this terrible time of judgment and ushering in Messiah’s Kingdom, it makes more sense. 

John also sees a gathering of those that had gotten the victory over the beast and refused to take his mark. Note that this group is distinct from those in Revelation 7:9 and is specifically identified as composed of tribulation believers.  The implication to me is that those believers who die during the tribulation are immediately translated into incorruptible bodies to the presence of the Lord.

These victorious saints all have harps and are singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.  It would seem that these saints are gifted with musical ability once they arrive in heaven.  They will relate specifically to these songs because they represent deliverance and victory.

At one time or another in life, I think we all question why God in His omniscience chose to work with man the way He has.  Why did He create man when He knew we were going to make such a mess of things?  The words of these saints declare that He can’t be questioned as to the rightness and righteousness of all that He has done—the path He foreordained to be able to enjoy the fellowship of man.  All of His ways are true and just!  The Lord God Almighty is the only holy One, the only true God.  All peoples will fall in worship before the Lord in recognition of the righteousness of His judgment.

(to be continued…)

JESUS, THE SON OF MAN, AUTHORIZES THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH

This post begins with an ominous warning concerning the final seven vial judgments.  These judgments will be experienced worldwide and will finally culminate in the return of the King of kings.

Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

John declares that the coming judgments are so severe that those who die “in the Lord” will be blessed because they will not have to endure more than they already have.  Note that important qualifier—“in the Lord.”  Only those who die accepting the gift of salvation offered by God through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus can ever be blessed in death.  At death they pass into the presence of God.  As we learned in the last post, those who die having rejected that gift are destined for everlasting torment.

Revelation 14:9–11 “…If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night….”

John makes it clear in his record of the last judgment that this torment includes everyone—not just those that had taken the mark of the beast.

Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Those that die “in the Lord” will finally be able to “rest” from their labor, their trouble, their weariness.  They will receive the reward promised them for their work for the Lord.

Matthew 6:20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal….”

Matthew 5:11–12 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven….”

John looks again and sees one that looks like the “Son of man” sitting on a cloud wearing a golden crown and holding a sharp sickle.

Revelation 14:14-16 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”

Yet another angel comes out of the temple loudly announcing that the time has come for the earth to be reaped.  I am reminded that the Lord Jesus told us that the Father had delegated all judgment to Him.

John 5:22 & 26-27 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son….For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”

I liked the comments from Joseph Seiss, an old Lutheran minister, on these verses.

“As the destroyer of the works of the devil, and as the judge of the quick and the dead, it belongs for Christ to reap the earth and to clear it of the hellish seed of the great enemy....And to this end, the heaven crowned King holds ‘in His hand a sharp sickle.’ There is nowhere such a description or holding forth of the instrument in any harvest scene referring to the gracious home bringing of the good. The earth is to be cleared of its ill products now, therefore, only a cutting implement is in hand and so conspicuous displayed. The work is one of vengeance and sore judgment; therefore, it is sharp. Thus seated in regal majesty, with His terrible instrument in hand for His appointed judicial work as the Son of Man, there goes up to Him a mighty cry to send forth His sickle and reap, claiming that the time of reaping has come, and that ‘the harvest of the earth’ (not the church) is dried to dead ripeness.”

It is significant that there is a time that has been predetermined as right for this judgment.  It seems that sin has reached its fullness worldwide. I think that God’s statement regarding the withholding of judgment from the Amorites established the precedent for revealing God’s timing for implementing judgment.

Genesis 15:13–16 “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not full.”

This is yet another example of how God used His foreknowledge in establishing His plan and purpose in connection with man’s freedom to make choices.

(to be continued…)

THE THIRD MESSENGER ANGEL WARNS AGAINST TAKING THE MARK OF THE BEAST

We are still in the section of scripture that is preparing us for the final outpouring of God’s vengeance, the seven vial judgments, that will culminate in the return of Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth. 

Revelation 14:9–11 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

The third and final messenger angel loudly declares a warning to men that anyone that receives the mark of the beast in his forehead or hand is destined for eternal torment in the lake of fire.  The choice is either-or; there is no other option.  This tells me two things:  1) That no one can be forced to take the mark; and 2) no one will be able to say, “But I did not know.”  Each angel is following the lead of the first, and we were told in verse 6 that the message was being declared “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” 

I think it is interesting that the phrase “without mixture” is used.  This indicates to me that although the time of judgment we call the great tribulation will be terrible, God’s mercy will still be available for those who will choose to turn to Him in faith.  His wrath is poured out without mixture on those who choose to accept the antichrist as their lord. 

We will learn that after Jesus has ruled for 1,000 years on earth in a time of unequalled peace and justice, Satan will be allowed one last opportunity to gather a following.  Amazingly, he will be able to recruit quite an army, “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea” (Revelation 20:8).  When Jesus crushes this last opposition, the time of grace and mercy will be over.  Each individual’s fate will be sealed forever.  Those who have rejected Him will suffer the wrath of God “without mixture.”

David Guzik made an important point.  “The wine in the cup is associated with wrath (the ancient Greek work thymos), which describes a passionate anger….This is the idea behind the cup that Jesus wanted to avoid if possible. 

Matthew 26:39 “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Jesus willingly took the cup of the Father’s wrath that we deserved; here the enemies of Jesus have no choice—the cup is forced upon them.” 

[end Guzik quote]

I have to admit that it was comforting to me to know that the Lord and holy angels are identified as those that witness the punishment of those who reject God as Lord.  I know we will rejoice that sin is being judged, but it is hard for the human side of me to imagine that we will rejoice at watching friends and/or loved ones suffer that judgment.  These people will be tormented (tortured, in pain) that is relentless, without relief.  The smoke will be a continual reminder of their judgment. 

It is important to understand the totally opposite positions of believers and unbelievers for eternity.  Those in the presence of God are at rest; those separated from Him will never know rest.

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

The announcements of the angels are also to serve as encouragement to the saints on earth to persevere in their faith and obedience to God.  I believe that everyone that is saved at any time past, present or future is saved by faith.  We in the church today are indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. 

Ephesians 1:13–14 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

In Old Testament times that was not true.  David feared having the Spirit of God taken from him. 

Psalms 51:10–11 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

It makes sense to me that this 70th week of Daniel is an extension of Old Testament times (as were the first 69 weeks).  I tend to think (and I most certainly could be wrong) that the seal of the Spirit is unique to the church age. 

  

It is for this reason that I think John is inspired to add these words of encouragement for people of faith to hold on to their faith—just as he did when it was revealed that the Antichrist would be allowed to overcome the saints.  The troubles of that time will be so bad that one would be tempted to give up and/or question God’s word.  God is so gracious; He supernaturally provides for the gospel to be declared throughout the world with a warning of the dire consequences of worshipping the Antichrist and with extra encouragement for people of faith to hang on and persevere to the end—because there will be an end and the reward is great!

“keep the commandments…..and the faith” - Works and faith go hand in hand.

(to be continued…)

MESSENGER ANGELS DECLARE THE GOSPEL & THE FALL OF BABYLON

In the previous posts we have learned about the rise to power of the Antichrist and the martyrdom of the 144,000 witnesses.  John is next told that three angels will be sent to declare important messages to those on planet earth.

Revelation 14:6–7 “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Since the establishment of the kingdom is at hand and men have only a short time to accept His gift of salvation in Jesus, God provides a supernatural witness to the gospel message.  The 144,000 witnesses and the two prophets are no longer on the scene, so God sends an angel to fly throughout the heavens urging the people on earth to worship the one true God, Creator of heaven and earth.  This seems to be in fulfillment of Matthew 24:14—“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” 

The angel’s message is clear (my paraphrase):  Fear God and glorify Him; worship Him as your Creator.  Your eternal destiny is soon to be determined.

Questions arise because of the message preached by the angel.  It’s not Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” 

The word “everlasting” indicates to me that the gospel has always been essentially the same.  The full revelation of that gospel has come in increments.  In every increment the required response of the individual is faith in God’s provision—even when that provision is not fully known.  I rest in the fact that God is righteous and is the One Who determines whether one has responded in faith to that revelation or not.

The second messenger angel announces the judgment and fall of Babylon.

Revelation 14:8 “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

Babylon was the birthplace of false religion, and she is responsible for leading the nations into spiritual adultery. They rejected the one true God to follow the false gods established through the deceit and influence of Satan.  The prophet Jeremiah declared this same truth.

Jeremiah 51:7 “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.” 

Throughout scripture the description of Babylon was specifically identified as located in Shinar or Chaldea—not Rome, as taught by some.  The prophets declared that Babylon would be destroyed as completely as Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Isaiah 13:19 “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Jeremiah 50:13 “Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.”

Jeremiah 51:37 “And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.”

Those prophecies have yet to be fulfilled.  The area of ancient Babylon is inhabited even today.  This will be discussed in more detail when we reach chapters 17-18; but I believe this angel is announcing the fall of the rebuilt city of Babylon in the land today known as Iraq.

(to be continued…)