Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

The Seven Last Plagues

God’s Warning and Unmixed Wrath

What is God’s final warning against false worship? BR-ASI9 211.4

“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.” Revelation 14:9, 10. BR-ASI9 211.5

Note.—During probationary time God’s wrath is always tempered, or mingled, with mercy. Thus the prophet Habakkuk prays, “In wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2. God’s wrath unmixed with mercy is visited only when mercy has done its final work, and evil has gone to the limit, so that there is “no remedy.” (See Genesis 6:3; 15:16; 19:12, 13; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Matthew 23:37, 38; Luke 19:42-44; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7.) BR-ASI9 211.6

In what is the wrath of God filled up? BR-ASI9 211.7

“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.” Revelation 15:1. BR-ASI9 211.8

How does Joel describe the day of the Lord? BR-ASI9 211.9

“Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” “For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” Joel 1:15; 2:11. BR-ASI9 211.10

What has Daniel said of this time? BR-ASI9 212.1

“And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1. (See Ezekiel 7:15-19.) BR-ASI9 212.2

Note.—The seven last plagues will be the most terrible scourges ever visited upon man. As Ahab accused Elijah of being the cause of Israel’s calamities (1 Kings 18:17, 18), so, in the time of trouble, the wicked and those who have departed from God will be enraged at the righteous, will accuse them as being the cause of the plagues, and will seek to destroy them as did Haman the Jews. (See Esther 3:8-14.) But God will miraculously deliver His people at this time as He did then. BR-ASI9 212.3

What decree will be issued by God just prior to the “seven last plagues”? BR-ASI9 212.4

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:11, 12. BR-ASI9 212.5

“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.” Zephaniah 2:1, 2. BR-ASI9 212.6

Note.—Revelation 15:8 reveals that no man can enter the temple in heaven while the plagues are being poured out. All mediation for sin ceases. Revelation 16:11 shows that there is no repentance after the close of probation. The pouring out of the plagues is the beginning of the judgment of God against the wicked. (See Revelation 18:7, 8; 16:5, 6.) The plagues are poured out unmingled with mercy. (See Revelation 14:10.) They are the expression of God’s justice. (Revelation 16:5-7.) BR-ASI9 212.7