What are the Plagues?

First, let us define some terms.

Brethren sometimes are a bit careless or generalizing in the use of terms. With prophecy however it is imperative that we be quite specific for the sake of accuracy. For instance, we speak (with regards to Rev 20) of the binding of Satan, however Rev 20 speaks NOT just of a binding, but of a five-step process including (1) laying hold on, (2) binding, (3) casting into a pit, (4) shutting him up, and (5) setting a seal on him.

Clearly when we generalize it is alright to simply say “binding”, but just as clearly our understanding will be deficient if we do not realize that simply to say “binding” leaves us at least incomplete if not inaccurate. The same thing applies to the plagues.

Strictly speaking, Chapters 15 and 16 never speak of “pouring out the plagues. Therefore, we must be more specific in detailing the terms which we used. Here is a summary:

PLAGUES: When the Scriptures begin to consider the subject, we find in Rev 15:1 seven angels who apparently already HAVE the plagues.

For reasons shortly to be shown, we believe these “plagues” to be the same truths which were formerly referred to as “trumpets” in Revelation 8 through 11. Now, however these truths are NOT to be trumpeted, but to be used in conjunction with specific events to be DESTRUCTIVE – a function which was not intended when they were trumpets. So, in short, the plagues are the BASIC Divine truths which the world has long heard and ignored.

They ignored the snow, but cannot ignore the hail. Consider the following scriptures, the first in reference to the snow comes to us from Job 38:22, 23.

“Have you entered the treasury of snow (of truth, of righteousness), or have you seen the treasury of hail (truths destructive to the enemy), which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?

In the Scriptures we find “water” to represents truth, “hail” frozen water represents the same truths, harden and forcibly learned, hard destructive truths (very destructive to any errors held).

“Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness (The Lord’s Treasure), seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zep 2:3)

As for the world (Babylon, Christendom), they will reap the hail.

“Seeing you hate instruction (correction) and cast My words behind you.” (Psa 50 :17)

“And great hail (hard destructive truths) from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.” (Rev 16:12)

TRUMPETS: While the trumpets are not mentioned in Chapters 15 or 16, the record of them in Chapters 8-11 is imperative to our understanding. The seven trumpets of those chapters constituted the original or initial loud proclamation of the above-mentioned truths. THE REASON that we mention them is that the trumpets and the plagues are AIMED AT THE SAME PARTS of society.

If you carefully compare each by number, you will find the first trumpet and plague aimed at the earth, the second at the sea, the third at the rivers and fountains of waters, and etc.

See our post entitled, “The Seven Last Plagues, Part 1” for a diagram showing this in a bit more detail.

The lesson seems to be that God knew that the trumpets would be basically ignored and that, therefore, the same truths would have to be enforced upon the attention of mankind by a SECOND SERIES of these truths – this time NOT so gentle as the snow or a loud message, but FORCIBLY as specific events which cannot be ignored – the seven last plagues.

BOWLS (VIALS):

As stated previously “water” represents truth. There are different ways in which truth can be conveyed, one of which is by voice. When a truth is trumpeted it implies a “loud voice” even as the sound of a trumpet is loud when blown. Another way of conveying water is in a pitcher or bowl. A “bowl” as used here refers to a specific “event” or incident used to convey the same truth proclaimed by a trumpet, but from a different perspective, a more forcible perspective.

When the truth was first proclaimed by means of the loud voice (trumpets) it was in its liquid form, flowing like a gentle stream, or like falling snow upon those willing to receive it, to receive reproof, correction and/or instruction if needed. However, since most chose to ignore this initial proclamation, it became necessary for the Lord to force it more firmly upon them, thus what was once liquid becomes frozen like “hail”, hard and destructive upon that which it befalls, meant to break men of the errors they hold and cherish, and force them to see the truths they have ignored.

In Rev 15:7 we find that these angels who already HAVE the plagues are GIVEN seven bowls (or vials) full of God’s wrath. Notice the trumpets were NOT full of wrath; but the bowls ARE. We see the same truths being used now for a different purpose. We believe these BOWLS to be the historic events of the 20th century – the big news-makers which the world has not been able to ignore. To this day special commemorative books, documentaries and extensive television productions keep reminding us of these milestones of the 20th century history. So, in short, the bowls are the historic events or vehicles of delivery for the basic truths which the world ignored in past centuries.

WRATH: These bowls are said to be full of the wrath of God. This does not seem to establish the specific contents of each bowl, but rather to describe the INTENT of the pouring – ANGER, JUDGMENT, and etc., INSTEAD OF INSTRUCTION (the Snow). As Rev 15:1 tells us, these plagues are the LAST because, once they are fulfilled, God’s anger will have been satisfied.

So, in essence:

These events are full of the wrath of God (Rev 15:7), filled with the seven last plagues (Rev 21:9), the truths which shall bring about the destruction of the present order.

In our next post we move on to the question where are the plagues poured and who pours the bowls?