So far, we have studied issues relating to the seven churches-Churches, Spirit, Candlesticks, Stars, Lamps, Eyes; then the seven miseries- Seals, Vials, Angels, Last plagues, Trumpets, Thousand men, Thunders. To help our study on the seven miseries we focused on the seven seals and the seven trumpets. To conclude the study on seven miseries we shall now consider the seven last plagues or the seven golden vials. Before diving into that, there are some interesting similarities in the manner of the judgments in the trumpets and the plagues. Let me highlight it for clarity:
- Trumpet 1 and Vial 1- Judgment on things on earth (land); trees and men
- Trumpet 2 and Vial 2- Judgment on seas
- Trumpet 3 and Vial 3- Judgment on rivers and fountains
- Trumpet 4 and Vial 4- Judgment on heavenly elements e.g sun, moon, stars
- Trumpet 5 and Vial 5- Judgment on the Beast or its kingdom
- Trumpet 6 and Vial 6- Judgment relating to River Euphrates
- Trumpet 7 and Vial 7- Fulfilment of God’s mystery and purposes.
These are the schedules of the miseries of the trumpet and the vials; but the vials with greater intensity.
We shall now look at the last plagues from the golden vials which are the wrath of God poured out on unrepentant sinners. Let us note here also that it is almost certain that believers have been taken away before this time as revealed in Chapter 15:2-4 “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…“
What do we know? Up to chapter 14:9 the Revelator warns that those who submitted to the Beast to take his mark or number will face the wrath of God, which would be poured out from Chapter 16 and in eternal hell. But the Saints he counselled to be patient, implying they would possibly be around to that point.
Also, the tense used here ‘them that had gotten the victory‘ is a past perfect tense and it seems to indicate an event that had been concluded before the next was revealed. And it suggests they (the Saints) are now placed where they cannot be touched by the last plagues.
The chapters following show clearly that God will be dealing in judgment with those had not repented, the Beast, which will culminate in the battle of Armageddon when Christ shall physically return on earth.
Throughout the Holy Spirit is very careful (humanly speaking) not to reveal the precise time the Saints will be taken away but He kept assuring that the sons of God shall have the victory over the Beast and whatever pains he might inflict on them. Rev 15:2; 7:14; 13:7, 10. The tribulation is described as “… such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be Mt 24:21. Yet, the Saints shall overcome. Not in the sense that they will prevail and destroy the Beast but that they will stand firm in their faith in Christ despite the afflictions and trials they would go through. How shall they be able to overcome or endure such trials? To answer that question, we must ask, “How were the Apostles and other believers able to face the cruel torture and afflictions they went through?” We have heard how some of them were sawn in two, some speared after being dragged by horses, some crucified upside down or in x-fashion, some boiled in hot oil. Many cruel instruments were invented to deal with the early Christians to show how repulsed the world felt toward them. But what is to come in the great tribulation will be much fiercer than all those. But let me say, as the Holy Spirit has said, the Saints shall overcome! And not a few. Halleluyah! The grace of God by the Spirit the Helper shall be our help in the face of swords and cruel instruments of death. Victory shall not be by the strength of our arms or hands but by the Spirit of grace whose power is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor 12:9.
But here is the call- Blessed are the overcomers… now and then. May the strength of the Spirit work in you to overcome whatever test, trial and persecution you may be facing right now. Amen.