A Brief Exposition of the Angels of Revelation 14

Chapter 8

Part 5: The Wrath of God

"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the WRATH OF GOD," (Rev. 15:1). This testimony is sufficient proof that the wrath of God, threatened by the third angel, is the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. These plagues are evidently shadowed forth by the plagues of Egypt, and will be as real and literal as those were. Compare Ex. 7-12, with Rev. 16.

The plagues of Egypt were just prior to the deliverance of Israel. The seven last plagues will be poured out just before the final deliverance of the saints. The deceptive power of satan was manifested by the magicians that withstood Moses, just before, and in connection with, the plagues of Egypt. And prior to, and in connection with, the last plagues, the worshippers of the beast and his image are to be deceived by the "wonders" and "miracles" performed by the two-horned beast.

The wrath of God in the seven last plagues will constitute the "time of trouble such as never was," after Michael stands up. Dan. 12:1. The mediation of Jesus in the Heavenly Sanctuary, prevents the wrath of God from coming on a guilty world. The four angels (Rev. 7:1-3) hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed by the last warning message. When that work is done, Christ will lay aside his priestly attire, put on the "garments of vengeance," (Isa. 59:17,) and take his position on the "white cloud," (Rev. 14:14,) with "a sharp sickle" to reap the harvest of the earth. Then the four angels will cease to hold the four winds (Rev. 7:1-3,) and the wrath of God, in the seven last plagues, will be poured out.

The period of the pouring out the vials of the wrath of God is clearly shown (Rev. 11:18) to be under the sounding of the seventh angel, after the "temple of God was opened in heaven," and the "ark of his testament" was seen. See verse 18. This could not have been prior to the termination of the 2,300 days, when the new covenant Sanctuary was to be cleansed. See Heb. 8:1-6; 9:1-8,23,24. In order for our Great High Priest to accomplish this portion of his priesthood he must, at the end of the 2300 days, pass within the second vail, into the "tabernacle of the testimony," according to the typical priesthood. And it is not until the tabernacle, containing the ten commandments, of the Heavenly Sanctuary is opened that the seven angels are commanded to go their way and pour out the vials of wrath. "And after that I looked, and behold, the "temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And the seven angels came out of the temple," etc. Rev. 15:5,6.