We have seen the cycle of judgments repeated twice so far in the Seven Seals and the Seven Trumpets. We note the second cycle increased the intensity. As we enter the third cycle of the Seven Bowls, they increase yet again. This presents the rather obvious principle Our Lord will up the ante as time wears to its end. We have already seen how the Enemy will certainly increase his efforts to prevent mankind from ever having a chance to hear or understand the revelation of God. Thus, there is a distinct element of crescendo in revelation and in the reality of spiritual conflict.
In this case, John refers to them distinctly as plagues, echoing the Ten Plagues of Exodus. Indeed, the bowls of wrath themselves individually echo parts of that experience. It should be obvious John relates the final work of God in Time to the finality of the Exodus. That is, in the Exodus was born the independent existence of the Nation of Israel, loaded with promises for the future. That future included not least the promise to Abraham his children would be a blessing to all the earth. That they failed the task of becoming that blessing was a large part of explaining the work of Christ during His lifetime on earth. In Him the Lord fulfills every unfinished work in Creation. During this time between His Ascension and His Return -- these Last Days -- He does that work through those who follow Christ. Just as the Ten Plagues on Egypt did not come from the hands of Israel, so the increasing wrath of God in these Last Days does not come from ours. Just as those plagues were frightening to Israel, the wrath of God against sin is frightening to us. Just as they climaxed in deliverance through total destruction of the enslaving power, so our final redemption comes through total destruction of sin's power here.
That destruction of sin's power will most certainly destroy this fallen Creation as we know it. While our Christian character does not lend itself to vindictive celebration at death and destruction, we must retain the knowledge every natural and human tragedy serves to remind us this world cannot remain if the Lord is to finally redeem all things. So it is in our personal lives. He cannot redeem us without first destroying everything He did not build. We do well to willingly place on the altar not only our lives and possessions, but also all our hopes and dreams. Our old lives have to be utterly destroyed.
This is painful enough, but as time wears on, for each new soul turning to Christ, it becomes more painful than for the last. The grand powers of the Dragon, the Beast, the False Prophet and all who serve them have long and steadily drawn the human race as a whole farther and farther from the revelation of God. A large part of this effort has been to broaden the gap between native human assumptions and those of the Kingdom. For the very most ordinary human today who comes to Christ, the leap from flesh to faith has never been wider in human existence, and the rift grows every day. Complicating this is Babylon, the Harlot Church, who ever lives to bring the exercise of the faith into compromise with the world. Human misery was never God's plan; He never intended people should die. But we have chosen sin, and sin is death. If we choose in Christ to face that death in this life, we step across that chasm of separation. Failure to go the whole way leaves you anchored in the old life. John warns his flock there is no compromise, no place in mid-air to halt halfway across.
John begins this vision with seven angels prepared to carry out the Last Judgments of God on sin. This is a moment of celebration! Thus, the peaceful sea of humanity before God's throne is now aglow with the fire of His holiness. Standing on this is the host of the Redeemed, as they prepare to offer their praises to the Lord. Echoing again of Exodus, John refers to this as the Song of Moses (Exodus 15). Added to that is the Song of the Lamb. Notice the focus of the praise in that last line:
For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.
Where the standards of God's Law are revealed and upheld, no heart can fail to rejoice. With this introduction, the Temple in Heaven opens its doors. The seven angels emerge, each dressed the same as the image Daniel had of Christ (Daniel 10:4ff). They are handed their bowls. At that moment, the presence of God filled the Temple as impenetrable smoke. This same image was seen at the dedication of the Wilderness Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38), and again when Solomon dedicated the First Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8). His presence remains during the Seven Plagues. The implication is obvious: Until sin is completely removed, no one can come into God's presence.
Thus, the subtle message of John reminds his flock they must look often into the mirror of the soul in God's Word and see:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my concerns. See if wicked way is in me, and lead me in the everlasting ways. (Psalm 139:23-24).
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Ed Hurst
09 October 2007
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