AN ANCIENT EVENT THAT FORMED THE PATTERN FOR A FUTURE EVENT
(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)
In our last blog for COME AS A CHILD we noted that God used the plagues of Egypt
to show His sovereignty and to point us to The Messiah who would come. Perhaps He had an even further purpose. Have you ever considered that the plagues of
Egypt are very similar to the plagues we read about in Revelation 16? Perhaps God was showing His people in these
future generations a pattern of what was to come in the end of times.
This should not be frightening news; if you know Christ and have studied the first, original story of the plagues of Egypt; it should be comforting. Remember, God saved His people out of their bondage of slavery. He separated them out to a place in the wilderness where He taught them how to follow and worship Him forever. He had his protection on them while they lived in the pagan land, and He did not forsake them or abandon them when He began to show His wonders to Pharaoh. We can take all of this to heart as we look at the pattern of the plagues during the times of the end.
This should not be frightening news; if you know Christ and have studied the first, original story of the plagues of Egypt; it should be comforting. Remember, God saved His people out of their bondage of slavery. He separated them out to a place in the wilderness where He taught them how to follow and worship Him forever. He had his protection on them while they lived in the pagan land, and He did not forsake them or abandon them when He began to show His wonders to Pharaoh. We can take all of this to heart as we look at the pattern of the plagues during the times of the end.
We are soon going to move on in this story of wonder and discover all the
wondrous things that God did for His people in the wilderness. We will see how a nation was formed by God
from these poor, pitiful slaves that were Abraham’s ancestors. Even the very beginning of the journey is
filled with awesome events and wonders!
These are the types of things that will fill our hearts with joy and take our breath away as we begin to examine the majesty of our God. These things will bring hope to those living in the wilderness of today's present world. Anyone following Christ can consider themselves on a similar type of a spiritual journey. We must learn to come out of the pagan systems and pagan ways of this world and to follow Jesus as faithfully as the people of Israel followed Moses as God led him. We must be moving forward and never looking back because God has a plan for all of us, and we are privileged to see and live through much of its unfolding.
These are the types of things that will fill our hearts with joy and take our breath away as we begin to examine the majesty of our God. These things will bring hope to those living in the wilderness of today's present world. Anyone following Christ can consider themselves on a similar type of a spiritual journey. We must learn to come out of the pagan systems and pagan ways of this world and to follow Jesus as faithfully as the people of Israel followed Moses as God led him. We must be moving forward and never looking back because God has a plan for all of us, and we are privileged to see and live through much of its unfolding.
These are all very hopeful things to dwell on. Keeping this in mind; I still do not want to
be too quick or hasty to leave the place that we have just studied. There is much more to understand about the
plagues of Egypt, and it all relates to the day of God’s wrath during end
times.
I would also like to make a very strange suggestion; that you begin to think of "end times" as "a new beginning." That is what it will turn out to be for all of us who belong to God once we go through the end times of God proclaiming His wonders to this earth. Just like the slaves of Egypt who were led to freedom, we too will experience a release from bondage; once we make the hard journey through the wiilderness of the time that God has alloted. We must not question His wisdom. His plans are always above our plans. This "journey" will be an awesome time to draw closer to God and to trust His guidance for our lives. It will be a time to prove ourselves faithful. We will find ourselves, when it is all said and done, surprised and delighted to be repeating the words of T.S. Elliot; "In my end is my beginning."
Once we have made the journey through the wilderness with faith and trust in God's provision; we will reach our eternal destination and there will be glories untold and the richest of blessings waiting on the other side. We must remember this NOW. All we can do for the time being is to stay alert, be ready and waiting, keep listening, keep learning through every experience that God leads us through, so take heart and read on!
I would also like to make a very strange suggestion; that you begin to think of "end times" as "a new beginning." That is what it will turn out to be for all of us who belong to God once we go through the end times of God proclaiming His wonders to this earth. Just like the slaves of Egypt who were led to freedom, we too will experience a release from bondage; once we make the hard journey through the wiilderness of the time that God has alloted. We must not question His wisdom. His plans are always above our plans. This "journey" will be an awesome time to draw closer to God and to trust His guidance for our lives. It will be a time to prove ourselves faithful. We will find ourselves, when it is all said and done, surprised and delighted to be repeating the words of T.S. Elliot; "In my end is my beginning."
Once we have made the journey through the wilderness with faith and trust in God's provision; we will reach our eternal destination and there will be glories untold and the richest of blessings waiting on the other side. We must remember this NOW. All we can do for the time being is to stay alert, be ready and waiting, keep listening, keep learning through every experience that God leads us through, so take heart and read on!
Just as God was setting a pattern with the
Israelites for proclaiming his sovereignty and teaching us about salvation, I also
suspect He was setting up a pattern to teach us how to survive as His people
when we come to the times of the end of the earth. What father would not prepare his children with the education that they will need to survive? So,today I would like to
discuss how the plagues of Egypt point us to the plagues that will happen at
the end of time.
Why would I think such a thing?
There are many reasons. Let’s start with a verse found in Micah
7:15-16; “As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them my
wonders. Nations will see and be
ashamed, deprived of all their power.
They will put their hands over their mouths and their ears will become
deaf.” The nation spoken of here is
Israel. Israel is symbolic all through
the scriptures of God’s people, those saved and led by Christ. Israel was the pattern from which the church (the living, breathing body of Christ) was formed. Whenever you hear of something in the future
that will happen to Israel, pay attention.
If you belong to Jesus Christ chances are very good that the very same thing, in one way or another, will be happening to you also.
I suspect that even now (just like the things that happened to the nation of Israel in Egypt) our nation in America is going through a time of being deprived of its power. Though we are not physically enslaved (yet); we are held hostage to a government and an economy that takes away all of our freedoms, especially our freedom to worship The One True God of Heaven and Earth. Each day as we read the news most of us have our hands over our mouths in astonishment that such things could even be true and possible.
I suspect that even now (just like the things that happened to the nation of Israel in Egypt) our nation in America is going through a time of being deprived of its power. Though we are not physically enslaved (yet); we are held hostage to a government and an economy that takes away all of our freedoms, especially our freedom to worship The One True God of Heaven and Earth. Each day as we read the news most of us have our hands over our mouths in astonishment that such things could even be true and possible.
We are living in a land that has become increasingly evil and totally disobedient to God. HIs ways and His commandments are no longer the ways of our land. People everywhere have their idols, though they may be called by different names. Do you have anything in your life besides Jesus Christ that you can’t walk away from? Pay attention to what those things really represent to you. Are they worth losing eternity?
Many of us are turning a “deaf ear” because we are sick of hearing about the terrible state of things. We feel helpless. We chose instead to turn around and ignore the state of things; hoping that they will just change or go away. Most of us live lives that are a fabricated delusion of reality created by social media and the internet, television and radio, because we do not want to face the truth; that our nation is just like Egypt and we have turned each of us to our own ways and forsaken the things of God. We keep holding on to our illusions as if this were just a “phase” that we are going through right now. Yet; this is reality. We live in an evil and perverted world that loves to hate God and enjoys greed, self-worship and violence.
Pick up your bible and read Revelation, Chapter
16. Actually I’ll just copy it here for you:
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying
to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God
upon the earth. And the first went, and
poured out his vail upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore
upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them who worshipped
his image. And the second angel poured
out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every
living soul died in the sea. And the
third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and
they became blood. And I heard the angel
of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be,
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. And I heard
another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous
are thy judgments. And the fourth angel
poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men
with fire. And men were scorched with
great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these
plagues; and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon
the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed
their tongues for pain. And blasphemed
the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of
their deeds. And the sixth angel poured
out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried
up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs
come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out
of the mouth of the false prophet. For
they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings
of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great
day of God Almighty. Behold I come as a
thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and
keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place
called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a
great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is
done. And there were voices, and
thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since
men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three
parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in
remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness
of his wrath. And every island fled
away, and the mountains were not found.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the
weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail,
for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
These words describe in depth the seven vails that
are known as the wrath of God. They do
not parallel the first plagues exactly, but they are VERY similar to the plagues of Egypt as God
was leading the Israelites out of slavery.
There were ten plagues brought on Egypt and these are only seven. Some have reasoned that the Israelites lived
through the first three plagues just as the Egyptians did, then God began to separate
them from the plagues, and did not let them be affected. That would mean that they were exempt from
seven of the plagues, and those seven would parallel the last seven plagues found here in
Revelation (in number anyway) Let’s explore this thought a
bit.
In the first plague of Egypt water is turned to
blood. It was the water of the Nile River.
When we read about the second and
third vails we see the same thing happening again with water.
For starters we hear of a great voice telling
seven angels to go forth and pour out their vails containing the wrath of God
upon the earth. I've always thought that these are the 7 Angels of the 7 Churches. As these seven end-time
angels pour out God’s wrath to the earth, they do seem to be nearly all of the
same horrible things that Egypt experienced with the exception of two; fire from
the sun and a great and powerful earthquake. There was no mention of earthquakes or fire from the sun in
the Egyptian plagues. So these plagues
are very similar in nature to begin with, then we read of two new and different plagues that will come toward the end of the plagues. These two new plagues will be much worse
in nature than those that fell on Egypt. This seems logical; since mankind should have learned from the patterns God gave us of the first things. At least the Egyptians had no knowledge of God's displeasure until He began to teach them; the world no longer has such an excuse. The knowledge of God has now filled the earth, and technology has made it very easy. The two hardest plagues are being saved till the end.
The first vail brings sores to those who have received
the mark of the beast.
I’ve often related the mark of the beast as being the counterfeit to the phylacteries that the ancients wore. These were little leather boxes containing the words that God gave to Israel during the Exodus so that they could always remember who He is. Anyone wearing them is usually trying to place the word of God in their mind and in their heart. The outward appearances of the boxes on their wrist (which they would place to their hearts) and around their foreheads (close to their thinking) was just a reminder that they should only dwell on the things of God. (In the days of Jesus the Pharisees perverted this ritual and turned it toward and used it for their own power instead of using it to God’s glory.) So if the beast forces people to worship him and to take a mark on their hand or on their forehead, I think this might mean just the opposite of the proper use of the pylacteries and that they would have the things of and the words of the beast in their minds and in their hearts. Satan is all about using holy things and perverting them to mean the opposite. Just my own theory. It behooves us to understand this though, because in the end times those who take the mark of the beast will have certain consequences, and those who have the seal of God will have certain consequences. I’ll take God’s side; thank you!
These “sores” that come from having the wrong mark could be the same as the “boils” we heard about that happened to Egypt. Note these only come on those who worship the beast and receive his mark. God’s people (who by then will either have died a natural death, died a martyr’s death or overcome the world by the power of Jesus living in them because that alone will be the very thing that will keep them from taking the mark of the beast and bending the knee to worship him) would be protected from this plague. Perhaps The People of God will be taken away, or removed, or set apart; just as God set the Israelites apart from Egypt. Perhaps this is a figure of speach instead of a literal meaning. They could be set apart by their actions and decisions that follow the ways of God. The Egyptians were off to themselves in a further away part of the country; still residents of Egypt but living together in the area of Egypt called Goshen. They were close enough to see the signs and wonders being performed both by God and also by the power of the demons satan provided through Pharaoh’s magicians. They had to be very close by because they were still enslaved; yet they were far enough from the main territory of Egypt to be safe from the consequences of the plagues.
I’ve often related the mark of the beast as being the counterfeit to the phylacteries that the ancients wore. These were little leather boxes containing the words that God gave to Israel during the Exodus so that they could always remember who He is. Anyone wearing them is usually trying to place the word of God in their mind and in their heart. The outward appearances of the boxes on their wrist (which they would place to their hearts) and around their foreheads (close to their thinking) was just a reminder that they should only dwell on the things of God. (In the days of Jesus the Pharisees perverted this ritual and turned it toward and used it for their own power instead of using it to God’s glory.) So if the beast forces people to worship him and to take a mark on their hand or on their forehead, I think this might mean just the opposite of the proper use of the pylacteries and that they would have the things of and the words of the beast in their minds and in their hearts. Satan is all about using holy things and perverting them to mean the opposite. Just my own theory. It behooves us to understand this though, because in the end times those who take the mark of the beast will have certain consequences, and those who have the seal of God will have certain consequences. I’ll take God’s side; thank you!
These “sores” that come from having the wrong mark could be the same as the “boils” we heard about that happened to Egypt. Note these only come on those who worship the beast and receive his mark. God’s people (who by then will either have died a natural death, died a martyr’s death or overcome the world by the power of Jesus living in them because that alone will be the very thing that will keep them from taking the mark of the beast and bending the knee to worship him) would be protected from this plague. Perhaps The People of God will be taken away, or removed, or set apart; just as God set the Israelites apart from Egypt. Perhaps this is a figure of speach instead of a literal meaning. They could be set apart by their actions and decisions that follow the ways of God. The Egyptians were off to themselves in a further away part of the country; still residents of Egypt but living together in the area of Egypt called Goshen. They were close enough to see the signs and wonders being performed both by God and also by the power of the demons satan provided through Pharaoh’s magicians. They had to be very close by because they were still enslaved; yet they were far enough from the main territory of Egypt to be safe from the consequences of the plagues.
The second angel poured his vail over the sea and
the water turned to blood; just as happened to the great river in Egypt. All the life in the sea died; just as all the
fish and life from the river died in Egypt. Think about how the so called "progress" of
the earth has polluted and destroyed our oceans. This is not an unlikely thing, it could very easily happen naturally in the world from which we live today.
The next angel poured out his vail and the water
in the rivers and fountains turned to blood.
This would be speaking about actual drinking water. This plague would be progressively worse than the last. The first one affected the food supply; the second one affected the drinking water. All that would be left to drink on the earth
would be turned to blood and this reason is proclaimed; that the people of the
earth have murdered and slain the saints and prophets of God.
We are right now living in a time where there are more
martyrs slain than ever before. Innocent,
faithful people following God are dying for their faith every day. People of God are hated and persecuted every
day. If you have escaped this; consider
yourself very blessed.
You will most likely not hear most of these stories in the news; but they are very real. This will only escalate and grow worse as time goes on, but at the proper time you can be assured that God will bring justice. Everyone will know and pay attention when this happens. He will make his enemies drink of the blood they have slain, just as Egypt was eventually punished for murdering the children of Israel and throwing their babies to their false gods of the river.
How will the believers survive this plague though? Everyone needs water to live. We will soon study the story of how God led Moses to bring water to very thirsty people from a rock in the wilderness. Be sure to pay attention!
I will say here that only the righteousness of Christ can shield anyone from the effects of these
plagues. Many think we will be raptured out of the world BEFORE the plagues begin. I honestly do not know. That would be nice, but I have also read that many of God's people will survive it all and overcome to the end. Either way; we must take comfort from the fact that we serve THE One and Only God of Heaven and Earth. He will not leave us or desert us. He will see us through all things if we only trust Him and obey Him. We are vulnerable to His love and care; just as the slaves in Egypt were. We do not know exactly HOW it will all come about; we simply know WHO will deliver us! We read of this in Psalm 91:4-8: He shall cover you with his feathers, and
under His wings you shall take refuge.
His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by
night, nor of the arrow that flies by day; nor of the pestilence that walks in
darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten
thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see
the reward of the wicked.
You will most likely not hear most of these stories in the news; but they are very real. This will only escalate and grow worse as time goes on, but at the proper time you can be assured that God will bring justice. Everyone will know and pay attention when this happens. He will make his enemies drink of the blood they have slain, just as Egypt was eventually punished for murdering the children of Israel and throwing their babies to their false gods of the river.
How will the believers survive this plague though? Everyone needs water to live. We will soon study the story of how God led Moses to bring water to very thirsty people from a rock in the wilderness. Be sure to pay attention!
I will say here that only the righteousness of Christ can shield anyone from the effects of these
When the fourth angel pours out his vail of the
wrath of God upon the earth it will be different than what happened in the plagues of
Egypt. This vail will contain fire from
the sun, and it will scorch men and they will die from the burns. Why is this plague different from the plagues of Egypt? That is a good question! Perhaps it is because of a pagan
practice that is going on now or at the end of time that had not even been found in Egypt? We can only speculate at the reason for
this. Does it have to do with the depletion of the O-zone layer in our atmosphere? Will this reflect that fact that many have worshiped the creation and not the creator who spoke it into existence? Not only have truths of the creation been twisted by mankind; but we have also failed to care for the earth as God commanded us to do way back in the garden. Will this plague be a sign of our own neglect toward the blessing of our planet? We can only speculate. Could this be meteors from outter space falling to the earth? Whatever it is; fire is the result and people will experience burns and parts of the earth will be burnt up. Here I recall a scripture found in Isaiah 43: 2 about walking through fire: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." I think I'm going to be holding on to these words when the fires come!
The fifth angel pours out a vail and it contains great darkness and boils. Again we know these as similar to the Egyptian plagues. Boils and great darkness are poured out on the seat of the beast; perhaps this means his throne? The scriptures speak of kingdom of the beast being in great agonizing pain, so much that they gnawed their tongues as they cursed God. As in Egypt; none of the plagues seem to bring remorse or repentance from those who are being tortured. They STILL refusse to acknowledge God. We are already living in times where the reality of God is no longer acknowledged. Our rulers are like Pharaoh; they only worship themselves.
The fifth angel pours out a vail and it contains great darkness and boils. Again we know these as similar to the Egyptian plagues. Boils and great darkness are poured out on the seat of the beast; perhaps this means his throne? The scriptures speak of kingdom of the beast being in great agonizing pain, so much that they gnawed their tongues as they cursed God. As in Egypt; none of the plagues seem to bring remorse or repentance from those who are being tortured. They STILL refusse to acknowledge God. We are already living in times where the reality of God is no longer acknowledged. Our rulers are like Pharaoh; they only worship themselves.
As we move closer and closer to the end of the plagues, the sixth
plague is most interesting.
The sixth angel pours out his vail on the River Euphrates and the river
dries up and makes dry land, apparently land to provide a way of travel for “The Kings Of The East.” This is a repeat of something that happened in history way back in 539 BC because the waters of the Euphrates stopped flowing at that time. The Kings of the East that conqured Babylon back then were Cyrus and his father-in-law, Darius. This happened when the waters of the Euphrates dried up and they were able to walk through them and conquor the city without even having to declare outright war.
Something will happen to prepare a way for The Kings of The East. There are many theories about who these Kings of the East might be. I tend to think of the wise men who came just before Christ was born. They were on a mission to find the REAL Messiah. The government was against that Messiah ever being born. Many men will be seeking God's wisdom and truth, and like the wise men from the east in the days of Christ; the truth will be revealed to them just before Christ returns. They will see a sign and they will follow it. Just my own personal theory! I've heard others refer to these kings as an invasion from China, and I've heard some prechers even say that the kings are God and The Son of God. One day we all will know for sure. Time will fill in the blanks for us. Be looking and watching for God to explain this as the time approaches.
At first you might think this plague is different in nature too, and that is it a plague not related to the plagues of Egypt; but wait before you jump to conclusions, because there is something similar to those plagues that happens next: frogs leap out of the mouths of the false prophet, the beast and the dragon. Yes, frogs! Just like in Egypt; except these are not REALLY frogs, they are the unclean spirits of demons that will go forth and convince the kings of the earth to come to a great battle. I suspect they represent the leaders of false, apostate religion. These frogs will perform wonders and miracles in order that the kings will believe them and take their advice. The wonders and miracles they perform will not be of God. They will SEEM to be only things that God could do; but God will ALLOW satan to use his powers in this plague. Beware; even the elect can be deceived. Be prayed up and prepared with the sword of the word at your side and written across your heart. Be sealed with God's word.
So what of the people of faith that are following
God when all of this happens?
Well, those who believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah, who have come out of the world and who have washed their garments in the blood of the lamb will also be those who have kept God's Sabbaths and His feast Days. They will have written His commandments on their hearts, like a circumcision and a seal over their hearts, and they will be waiting and watching and ready. They will be sealed on their hands and in their foreheads with God's seal. I think of that being the wisdom and the knowledge found in the scriptures.
The very next scripture says “Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” When I read this I am reminded of how God told the Hebrews to eat the Passover meal with their traveling clothes on, their staffs in their hands and their waist girded about them. They were to eat in haste; because God was about to take them somewhere! It seems to be the same in this passage; the next part of the scripture tells of how God will gather his people to a place called Armageddon after the sixth angel pours out his vail and before the seventh vail is poured. We shall go by God's command straight into battle. There is no need to be afraid; Jesus Christ is a Mighty King and He will always be victorious! We will be like the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. All we have to do is have faith and follow our leader and keep walking until we are up to our eyeballs in his will. God will handle the battle and defeat the enemy. He will open a way to victory for us!
Something will happen to prepare a way for The Kings of The East. There are many theories about who these Kings of the East might be. I tend to think of the wise men who came just before Christ was born. They were on a mission to find the REAL Messiah. The government was against that Messiah ever being born. Many men will be seeking God's wisdom and truth, and like the wise men from the east in the days of Christ; the truth will be revealed to them just before Christ returns. They will see a sign and they will follow it. Just my own personal theory! I've heard others refer to these kings as an invasion from China, and I've heard some prechers even say that the kings are God and The Son of God. One day we all will know for sure. Time will fill in the blanks for us. Be looking and watching for God to explain this as the time approaches.
At first you might think this plague is different in nature too, and that is it a plague not related to the plagues of Egypt; but wait before you jump to conclusions, because there is something similar to those plagues that happens next: frogs leap out of the mouths of the false prophet, the beast and the dragon. Yes, frogs! Just like in Egypt; except these are not REALLY frogs, they are the unclean spirits of demons that will go forth and convince the kings of the earth to come to a great battle. I suspect they represent the leaders of false, apostate religion. These frogs will perform wonders and miracles in order that the kings will believe them and take their advice. The wonders and miracles they perform will not be of God. They will SEEM to be only things that God could do; but God will ALLOW satan to use his powers in this plague. Beware; even the elect can be deceived. Be prayed up and prepared with the sword of the word at your side and written across your heart. Be sealed with God's word.
Well, those who believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah, who have come out of the world and who have washed their garments in the blood of the lamb will also be those who have kept God's Sabbaths and His feast Days. They will have written His commandments on their hearts, like a circumcision and a seal over their hearts, and they will be waiting and watching and ready. They will be sealed on their hands and in their foreheads with God's seal. I think of that being the wisdom and the knowledge found in the scriptures.
The very next scripture says “Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” When I read this I am reminded of how God told the Hebrews to eat the Passover meal with their traveling clothes on, their staffs in their hands and their waist girded about them. They were to eat in haste; because God was about to take them somewhere! It seems to be the same in this passage; the next part of the scripture tells of how God will gather his people to a place called Armageddon after the sixth angel pours out his vail and before the seventh vail is poured. We shall go by God's command straight into battle. There is no need to be afraid; Jesus Christ is a Mighty King and He will always be victorious! We will be like the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. All we have to do is have faith and follow our leader and keep walking until we are up to our eyeballs in his will. God will handle the battle and defeat the enemy. He will open a way to victory for us!
And the Seventh Angel pours out his vail. A great voice is heard saying; “It is done!” Along with voices and thunder and lightning
there comes a great earthquake. The
earthquake is the miracle God uses to defeat his enemy as his people begin to do
battle. Hail weighing 100 pounds will be
falling from the sky. Don’t be afraid,
all of this happens because of Christ returning through the East Gate of
Jerusalem. The earthquake will bring the
victory, and God’s people, who will be heavily engaged in battle, will be saved.
At that moment we will be caught up with Him (Jesus) as the scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 15:52, and we will be
changed. In a moment, in the twinkling
of any eye; and we will be with Christ forever after!
So take heart when you read about the
plagues. Let them remind you of your own
redemption! Let it make you think of Revelation 5:12-13; “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and
riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on
the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in
them, I heard saying: “Blessing and
honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb,
forever and ever!”
I cannot study this passage in Revelation without thinking of a song we play and sing at our house every Passover. Did you know that Moses wrote three songs during his lifetime? One was sung after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15); one is recorded in Psalm 90. The other was written in the last days of Moses's life. It is found recorded in Deuteronomy 32. That song is called The Song of Moses. God directed Moses to write that song and teach it to the people in the wilderness. God required the Israelites to learn the song in anticipation of their future apostasy in the times after they reached the promised land. The song would stand as a witness against them; should they ever turn their backs on God.
The Song of Moses has turned out to be very prophetic in nature. The same day that Israel learned this song God directed Moses to climb Mt. Nebo, where he would be laid to rest. Israel's future ingratitue and idolatry are predicted in the words of this song as are the words that describe the punishment that God would bring because of their sins. The song ends on a joyful note though, with the punishment of God being over and as a result of God's great love and mercy; righteousness being restored and the land of Israel being cleansed. All during the song God remains Israel's steadfast, unchanging source of salvation. This fact will never change.
The song that my family sings at Passoer is called "The Song of Moses." but it combines parts of the song from Deuteronomy together with the Song of The Lamb found mentioned in Revelation 15:3 and incorporates the words from that passage which are: "Great and marvellous are They Works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. Who should not fear, O Lord, and Glorify Thy name? Because Thou only are Holy; because all the nations shall come and worship before Thee; Because thy righteous judgements were manifested."
Long ago scientist discovered that it is much easier to remember the words of a song than the written word. Perhaps that is why God had the people learn this way from Moses. God wanted them as well as us to always remember. The lesson of the plagues and the Exodus are very important for our future. God is giving us patterns all the time. We only need to pay attention and remember them.
So let the words and lessons from The Exodus give you comfort as we approach the end of time. Take heart dear brothers and sisters. Do not fear but look up! Remember the famous words of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 32nd inaugural address: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Prepare to sing The Song of Moses and The Song of the Lamb with great joy at the end the world as we know it.
The Song of Moses has turned out to be very prophetic in nature. The same day that Israel learned this song God directed Moses to climb Mt. Nebo, where he would be laid to rest. Israel's future ingratitue and idolatry are predicted in the words of this song as are the words that describe the punishment that God would bring because of their sins. The song ends on a joyful note though, with the punishment of God being over and as a result of God's great love and mercy; righteousness being restored and the land of Israel being cleansed. All during the song God remains Israel's steadfast, unchanging source of salvation. This fact will never change.
The song that my family sings at Passoer is called "The Song of Moses." but it combines parts of the song from Deuteronomy together with the Song of The Lamb found mentioned in Revelation 15:3 and incorporates the words from that passage which are: "Great and marvellous are They Works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. Who should not fear, O Lord, and Glorify Thy name? Because Thou only are Holy; because all the nations shall come and worship before Thee; Because thy righteous judgements were manifested."
Long ago scientist discovered that it is much easier to remember the words of a song than the written word. Perhaps that is why God had the people learn this way from Moses. God wanted them as well as us to always remember. The lesson of the plagues and the Exodus are very important for our future. God is giving us patterns all the time. We only need to pay attention and remember them.
So let the words and lessons from The Exodus give you comfort as we approach the end of time. Take heart dear brothers and sisters. Do not fear but look up! Remember the famous words of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 32nd inaugural address: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Prepare to sing The Song of Moses and The Song of the Lamb with great joy at the end the world as we know it.
