November 3: TWO SIDES OF A COIN
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. Revelation 15:1
As in 12:1, John sees a sign in heaven (Greek is semeion, meaning a stunning visual scene that is meant to capture one’s attention). This sign is very different from the sign in 12:1 when he sees a beautiful, delicate woman clothed in the light of Christ, representing His faithful bride. Here he sees a great and marvelous lineup of seven angels having the seven last plagues. We know from verse 7 that the seven last plagues are contained in golden bowls given to the angels.
An important distinction must be made between the “bowl plagues” which are yet to come, and the “trumpet plagues” which have come upon the earth mingled with mercy. The similarities of the two sets appear below.* But the trumpet judgments, diluted with mercy, have been announced and released for redemptive purposes over these last twenty centuries; they have taken place through the history of the New Testament church, during the intercession of our Great High Priest. The resurrected Christ has been at work on behalf of sinners in the heavenly sanctuary, extending grace to the meek and humble repentant ones who seek God’s forgiveness and transforming power. When the bowl plagues come, they will not be mingled with mercy. They are the one hundred percent, undiluted wrath of God, described as full strength (14:10) – for in them the wrath of God is complete. The trumpet judgments were partial and localized, aimed toward the persecutors of God’s people. The bowl judgments will be punitive, global in scope, and aimed against all of the unrepentant.
*Comparing two sets of judgments: Trumpets and Bowls
1st Trumpet: Earth (8:7) 1st Bowl: Earth (16:2)
2nd Trumpet: Sea (8:8-9) 2nd Bowl: Sea (16:3)
3rd Trumpet: Rivers and fountains (8:10-11) 3rd Bowl: Rivers and fountains (16:4)
4th Trumpet: Sun, moon, and stars (8:12) 4th Bowl: Sun (16:8-9)
5th Trumpet: Darkness from abyss, locusts (9:1-11) 5th Bowl: Darkness over beast’s throne (16:10-11)
6th Trumpet: The River Euphrates (9:14-21) 6th Bowl: The River Euphrates (16:12-16)
7th Trumpet: Loud voices: the kingdom has come (11:15-16) 7th Bowl: Loud voice: “It is done!” (16:17-21)
Beloved, know that your greatest need has already been secured for you, and is available for the asking. That need is the mercy of the Savior: His forgiveness of your sinful past. But think of it as a golden coin which has two sides. The other side is His marvelous grace: this is His unlimited power to transform you into a joyful, righteous, law-abiding citizen of heaven!
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or is he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:7-11