THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES

Sir,

The book of Revelation speaks of seven last plagues that will come upon the earth at the end of this present age. In these plagues ‘the wrath of God is complete’ (Revelation 15:1).

The seven plagues are referred to as the ‘last’ plagues because they are poured out at the very end of earth’s history while divine wrath is God’s righteous judgment on the choices people have made. At that time people will be reaping the consequences of their own choices.

Before the outpouring of these plagues, we are given a future glimpse of God’s faithful people (Rev. 15:1-4). These saints gained victory ‘over the beast, his image, his mark and the number of his name’ (Rev. 15:2).

They are standing on the sea of glass and they sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. These saints are the same group 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.

There are very interesting historical parallels to the seven last plagues. These last plagues mirror the plagues poured out upon Egypt. They are poured out on those who, like Pharaoh, hardened their hearts against God’s redeeming love and would not repent.

As the first of the seven last plagues is poured out, we are told that it will come ‘upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image’. Note also that the fifth plague repeats that it will be poured out ‘on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom’.
The good news is that, as the Egyptian plagues affected the Egyptians, the Israelites were spared. The same will happen in the last days. God will protect His people during this time of trouble.

Plagues

In the 10 plagues preceding the Exodus, water was turned to blood, people had painful ‘sores’, and Egyptians experienced darkness for three days (Exodus 10:21-23). There are obvious similarities to these punishments in the seven last plagues of Rev 16. The first plague inflicts painful and loathsome sores on the worshippers of the beast.

The second and third plagues affect the sea and the rivers and the springs of water, that turn into blood. The unbearable pain inflicted by the plagues does not soften the hearts of unrighteous humanity to change their rebellious attitudes. Instead, they curse and blaspheme God. Nor do any of them repent. Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart towards God and His plan, so will the people who experience the seven last plagues harden their hearts against God.

Deceived by Satan through an end-time political and religious power called the ‘beast’, humanity will continue to defy and blaspheme God even as the seven last plagues are poured out (Rev 16:9, 11, 21). In spite of these apocalyptic horrors, mankind will continue to reject God. They will not worship or obey the Almighty, Eternal Sovereign.

Faithful

It is also interesting to note that in Revelation 15, which introduces the seven last plagues, we find God’s faithful people singing ‘the song of Moses’, and we also meet the Israelites singing the song of Moses after God had brought 10 plagues upon the Egyptians and delivered Israel.

By the time these plagues are poured, the destructive winds of Satan’s fury that have been previously restrained are unleashed and ‘there will be a time of trouble such as never was, but during that time God’s people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book (Dan 12:1).

Beloved, is your name in the book of life? The principle which God explained to ancient Israel is true for all of us. God loves everyone and ‘desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’. But He will never force anyone to accept Him; we all have to make our choices.

Bopoto Gwinyai (76638191)

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