November 11: MERCY REJECTED
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” Revelation 16:1
This loud voice from the temple is most likely the voice of God. As avenging agents, the seven angels with the bowls of [His] wrath would receive this solemn command directly from Him.
Eight days ago, we compared the trumpet judgments to the bowl judgments, noting similarities along with the major difference: the last plagues are poured out without mercy but the trumpet judgments were mingled with mercy. Now let us look back at the plagues that accompanied the delivery of God’s people out of Egypt. Each one was localized, whereas the final bowls of the wrath of God will be worldwide. The plagues that fell upon Egypt were accompanied by opportunities to repent. There will be no such opportunity at our fallen world’s end, as the final plagues will be poured out after the close of humanity’s probation.
As for similarities, both the Egyptian plagues in Exodus and the last plagues in Revelation are directed at those who are in rebellion against God. They are measured and meted out calmly. Our enemy would have us to believe that God’s wrath is an uncontrollable rage. Such a violent temper is actually possessed by Satan himself, and it springs from covetousness, discontent, self-centeredness and impatience. In reality, the wrath of God is the actualization of justice. The command from the temple in today’s verse may be compared to a judge reading the guilty verdict in a court setting.
Another very significant similarity: God’s last-day people will be alive on the earth during the plagues. The entire purpose of the marking, either with the seal of God or the mark of the beast, is for the protection of those who are sealed. Those who have accepted the beast’s mark (and all that goes with it) will actually have marked themselves. Acceptance of the mark is an active rejection of God’s seal, which is found in the heart of His Law (Exodus 20:8-11). The purposes of a seal are to specify identification and authority: name, title, and jurisdiction. His name is the LORD your God. He is the One who made everything, pointing to His title role as Creator from Genesis 1:1. His jurisdiction is over the heavens and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them. Another identifying role as Redeemer is also memorialized through Sabbath-keeping (see Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:6; Ezekiel 20:12).
We will soon take a close look at each of the final plagues. They will be the result of the rejection of God’s many mercies toward those who dwell on the earth. But, for love of the Savior, let us peer into the heart of Him who has always loved us.
The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! . . . How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37
See also: Exodus 5:5,9; 16:26-28; Psalm 91; Isaiah 61:8; 66:23; John 3:16; 5:47; Hebrews 10:36