Excerpts for this study were taken from a discourse given by Brother David Doran on the plagues (edited).

When are they?

There are basically three views on the subject.

1) Some believe the plagues are all in the past. We don’t feel comfortable with this view since Rev 15:1 states that these are the LAST plagues BECAUSE in them the wrath of God is finished. To look out the window is to be convinced that God’s wrath is NOT finished.

2) Some believe that the plagues are all yet future. Generally speaking, the adherents of this view are very good students and very well defend their positions. Naturally there is some variety in the details of this view among individuals holding it. We will only generalize about their views. But, in short, we respect their position but do not find it as satisfying in the details as we find in the progressive view.

3) Some believe the plagues to be progressive in nature, in an on-going process beginning from about A.D.1914 and covering the history of the 20th century. Not yet completed.

In this issue it is important to address the question of Brother Russell’s part in interpreting the plagues.

1) Brother Russell’s place in the harvest work is indispensable. To try to understand harvest truth without his input is not wise (Barring the general consensus among Bible Students that he is the harvest messenger, the Seventh angel or messenger to the Church). But it is by HIS OWN WORDS that we should know that the interpretation of Revelation cannot rely solely on what he wrote. Revelation CANNOT be understood without acknowledging his place in the Laodicean Church, but Revelation cannot be understood merely by searching the volumes, reprints and etc. to find his opinions on the subject.

2) Brother Russell was quick to admit how tentative was his understanding of much of Revelation. His views were, by his own admission, unripe. It is well summarized by his several-time stated quip: “Someone else will have to write the seventh volume.”  (Brother Russell had written the first six volumes of the Studies in the Scriptures series, but not gotten around to writing a seventh, which it is presumed would include a more in depth look at Revelation.)

Personally, we believe that “someone else”, the brethren as a whole have been doing this very thing as the century has progressed.

And so, it is written:

The whole body is joined and knitted together by that which every joint supplies, that is from each one’s own personal experiences and studies, this according to the effective workings of the holy spirit in and through them. Thus, every member contributes his share causing growth in the body, both in the graces and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 4:16)

We believe Revelation IS UNDERSTOOD by the saints— just not be ANY ONE PARTICULAR SAINT. It is our duty to talk together to share what we have learned so that an understanding of the whole book will result (every joint contributing). It was given to us to be understood. Why should we deny ourselves the opportunity to understand it?

3) Brother Russell’s prophetic framework was based on his understanding of 1914 as related to the end of the Gentile Times prophecy. While he made corrections as time passed, he died still believing that it was only a minimal number of years before all would be accomplished. This has not been the case. A short time for the accomplishment of the plagues was a NECESSITY in his mind with this framework.

4) The march of history has added insight to what wisdom he did possess. By using the study methods and guidelines for interpretation which he taught us, we can now better interpret Revelation as compared to events of the 20th century which many of us have personally seen and/or experienced. Our views of Revelation must not be restricted to what was written in the Reprints and Volumes over a century ago. Our views must adjust to the history of the most momentous century in man’s history.

Continued with next post.