Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

The Seven Plagues in Order

What will be the first plague, and upon whom will it fall? BR-ASI9 212.8

“And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” Revelation 16:2. BR-ASI9 212.9

What will constitute the second plague? BR-ASI9 212.10

“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” Verse 3. BR-ASI9 212.11

What will be the third plague? BR-ASI9 212.12

“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.” Revelation 16:4. BR-ASI9 212.13

Note.—The second plague affects the sea. The third plague comes closer to the habitations of men, and affects the land. The water supplies are contaminated. BR-ASI9 212.14

Why, under these plagues, does the Lord give men blood to drink? BR-ASI9 212.15

“For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Revelation 16:6. BR-ASI9 212.16

Note.—In this is shown God’s abhorrence of oppression and persecution. The plagues are God’s rebukes against colossal forms of sin. BR-ASI9 212.17

What will be the fourth plague? BR-ASI9 212.18

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.” Revelation 16:8. (See Joel 1:16-20.) BR-ASI9 212.19

Note.—Sun worship is the most ancient and widespread of all forms of idolatry. In this plague God manifests His displeasure at this form of idolatry. That which men have worshiped as a god, becomes a plague and a tormentor. Thus it was in the plagues of Egypt. Those things which the Egyptians had worshiped became scourges to them instead of benefactors and blessings. BR-ASI9 212.20

Will even this terrible judgment lead men to repent? BR-ASI9 212.21

“And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory.” Revelation 16:9. BR-ASI9 212.22

What will be the fifth plague? BR-ASI9 212.23

“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain.” Revelation 16:10. BR-ASI9 212.24

Note.—This plague strikes at the very seat of the great apostasy of the latter days, the Papacy. It will doubtless be similar in effect to the like plague in Egypt, which was a darkness that could “be felt.” (Exodus 10:21-23.) By this plague that iniquitous, haughty, and apostate spiritual despotism which has set itself up as possessing all truth, and as being the light of the world, is enshrouded in midnight darkness. BR-ASI9 212.25

What takes place under the sixth plague? BR-ASI9 213.1

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” Revelation 16:12. BR-ASI9 213.2

What gathers the nations to the battle of Armageddon? BR-ASI9 213.3

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. . . . And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Revelation 16:13-16. BR-ASI9 213.4

Note.—This scripture shows that it is the spirit of Satan which incites men to war, and explains why the great nations of the world are now making such preparations for war. The dragon represents paganism; the beast, the Papacy; and the false prophet, apostate Protestantism—the three great religious apostasies since the Flood. BR-ASI9 213.5

At this time what event is imminent? BR-ASI9 213.6

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15. BR-ASI9 213.7

What takes place under the seventh plague? BR-ASI9 213.8

“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air. . . . And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.” Revelation 16:17-19. BR-ASI9 213.9

What accompanies the earthquake? BR-ASI9 213.10

“And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” Revelation 16:21. (See Job 38:22, 23; Psalm 7:11-13.) BR-ASI9 213.11

What will the Lord be to His people at this time? BR-ASI9 213.12

“The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” Joel 3:16. (See Jeremiah 25:30, 31; Haggai 2:21; Hebrews 12:26; Psalm 91:5-10.) BR-ASI9 213.13

Note.—To prepare His people and the world for these terrible judgments, the Lord, as in the days of Noah, sends a warning message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. (See Revelation 14:6-10.) BR-ASI9 214.1

Just before the pouring out of the plagues, what call does God send to His people still in Babylon? BR-ASI9 214.2

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4, 5. (See Genesis 19:12-17; Jeremiah 51:6.) BR-ASI9 214.3

How suddenly will the plagues come upon modern Babylon? BR-ASI9 214.4

“Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. . . . For in one hour is thy judgment come.” Revelation 18:8-10. BR-ASI9 214.5