Day 253, Revelation 15 
After reading about the seven "seal judgments" and then
the seven "trumpet judgments," this chapter prepares us for
the "bowl judgments." John does give us some hint of their
chronological sequence, informing us that these are the final plagues. We will
discover in the next chapter that those seven plagues culminate with the battle
of Armageddon.
By this time, those who refused to worship the antichrist or his
image, and who refused to take his mark, are found worshipping in heaven
(15:2-4). Whether they are there as a result of martyrdom or a rapture, we are
not told. In any case, no one can argue against the fact that they were on the
earth during the rise of the antichrist and his persecution of believers. And
nothing is said about them being Jews who were born again during the
tribulation, as some who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the
church like to think. For this and other reasons, I think believers are
much safer if they don't count on being raptured before the antichrist
"wages war against the saints," something which God foretold Daniel
(Dan. 7:21; 13:7). Better to be prepared for the worst.
Will there be any believers still on the earth during the final
seven plagues of the bowl judgments? We will read in chapter 16 that when the
first bowl is poured out, the result will be "loathsome and
malignant" sores "on the people who had the mark of the beast and who
worshipped his image" (16:2), perhaps indicating that some on the earth at
that time will not have the antichrist's mark or have worshipped his image.
Moreover, after the sixth bowl judgment, which results in the gathering of
kings for the battle of Armageddon, Jesus is then quoted as saying,
"Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake
and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will
not see his shame" (16:15). If every believer was in heaven by this
time, there would seem to be no need for such admonitions for people to remain
ready for Jesus' coming.
On the other hand, as we read through the seven bowl judgments, it
is difficult to understand how some of them will not affect everyone who is
still alive on planet earth. So, once again, we're left scratching our heads!
HeavenWord Daily Subscription
To subscribe to the HeavenWord Daily, simply submit your e-mail address below. You will receive a devotional each weekday morning and a Heaven's Family e-magazine once a month.
|
