Seven Last Plagues Begin to Fall

When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God’s people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: “There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” The sea “became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” And “the rivers and fountains of waters . . .became blood.” Terrible as these inflictions are, God’s justice stands fully vindicated. The angel of God declares: “Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . . because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. . . .
In the plague that follows, power is given to the sun “to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat.” Verse 8, 9. . . .
These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals. All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy.
The bolts of God’s wrath are soon to fall, and when He shall begin to punish the transgressors, there will be no period of respite until the end. The storm of God’s wrath is gathering, and those only will stand who are sanctified through the truth in the love of God. They shall be hid with Christ in God till the desolation shall be overpast.
Maranatha p. 267
“““““““““““““““““`
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for the General Conference session in San Antonio this week as they will be voting on some very important issues. Rose
““““““““““““““““““““`
Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Esther Marie wrote a song based on Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” It is my favorite not only because of the music but also because of the words.
Sometimes I feel a heavy burden
Placed upon me because of sin.
But Jesus came and took my burdens
Relieving me of guilt and pain.
So I can fly on wings as the eagles.
I’ll fly through the sky day or night.
Since I gave Him my heavy burdens
He’s given me a peace
So I will fly on wings as the eagles.
I’ll fly though the sky day or night.
This doesn’t mean I won’t have burdens
Because it’d hard to live each day.
Perhaps you need to give God your burdens
So you can find this peace.
So you can fly on wings as the eagles
So you can fly through the sky day or night.
So let us fly thought the sky as the eagles.
We’ll fly through the sky day or night.
Let us fly through the sky…..
As the song says, we all have burdens because of sin—not just because of Adam and Eve’s first sin, but because of the sins we allow in our own life. How often, because of the choices we have made do we feel crushed under guilt’s heavy load. In despair we cry, “mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps 38:4
Praise God! We do not have to carry our burden of sin alone! Our Great Burden Bearer pleads with us, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.” “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Eze 33:11;Jer 31:3;Matt 11:28-30
If we give ourselves unreservedly to Jesus, He promises us a peace that others cannot know no matter what troubles or trails may come our way. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 He assures us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isa 41:10; 43:1.2
Let us cast all our cares upon our Dear Saviour, for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) We cannot burden Him. He longs to bear them that we may find “the peace of God that passes all understanding.” Phil 4:7 Let us, today, while the door of mercy is still open, give our heart to Him and Him alone. Let us, today, while there is still time, “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling, for “it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” 2:12, 13
Rose