Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Seven Last Plagues – Why?

Seven Last Plagues – Why?

My question is ‘why will God pour out the last seven plaques and how do we answer a person who will use this event to prove God is wrathful’?


Your question, “Why” does God pour out the last seven plagues is answered only in the context of the entirety of Scripture, understanding the character of God, the nature of the war between God and Satan and God’s methods. When we misunderstand these points we misunderstand Scripture. So let’s first review and define these points and then answer your questions of why.

  • God’s character is love – this is the only Biblical definition for God’s character (1John 4:8). All other attributes of God (kind, forgiving, gracious, just etc.) are all expressions, or manifestations of His character of love.
  • The war between Christ and Satan is a war of ideas. Satan is the “father of lies” and he lies about God. We use divine weapons of truth and love to demolish Satan’s lies about God (John 8:44, 2Cor 10:3-5).
  • God’s methods are the methods of truth, spoken in love while leaving people free to decide for themselves. It is only in an atmosphere of freedom that love exists. (Zech 4:6, John 4:23,24, 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 1John 4:8).

What this means is that the war going on in the universe is over who we can trust. Satan undermines trust by misrepresenting God with his lies. God counters with revelations of Himself (truth) presented in love while providing freedom to His creatures to decide for themselves. The fact that Lucifer was permitted to rebel, that sin exists at all, is evidence that God doesn’t force but provides freedom. With this understanding we turn to the passage in Revelation regarding the seven last plagues:

Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.  Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. Rev 15:6,7.

This is highly symbolic language, which a loving God uses to warn and reach people in danger. Consider how God has used symbolic language through His prophets in the past:

Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’

“‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

“‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

“‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’

“So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.” 1Kings 22:19-23

Do we believe God was actually practicing lying? Of course not, then why did the prophet speak this way? Because he was speaking to Ahab, a wicked king, for the purpose of communicating, in a language Ahab could understand, that what his false prophets were telling him was a lie.

Likewise, at the end of time, the world is in darkness about God. They are plummeting headlong into self-destruction, and God, in love, speaks a language designed to reach people who are incapable of responding to the “still small voice.”

If we respond to God’s warning and stop our rush into self-destruction and begin searching the scriptures we discover a deeper reality regarding God’s character and the truth about His wrath. The Bible defines God’s wrath as “letting go” or “giving up” not as the use of divine might to inflict pain and torture (Romans 1:18-31, 4:25).

And as all Scripture is consistent, Revelation also teaches that God’s wrath is letting go. We see this in chapter seven:

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”  Revelation 7:1-3

Notice, the angels of God are described as doing something, they are “holding back the four winds to prevent” them from blowing on the earth until the servants of God are “sealed.” Also notice that these angels are described as having been “given power to harm the land and the sea.” What was their power to harm? To let go what they were holding back, and what do you think they were holding back? Satan and his forces! We are taught the same thing in the book of Job. When God removed His restraining hand on Satan, the evil one brought disaster, disease and death, yet the servants of Job attributed this to God. The devastation in the end comes out from Satan not from God.

One of the founders of my church saw it as I do. She wrote:

“I was shown that the judgments of God would not come directly out from the Lord upon them, but in this way; They place themselves beyond His protection. He warns, corrects, reproves, and points out the only path of safety; then if those who have been the objects of His special care will follow their own course, indepentent of the Spirit of God, after repeated warnings, if they choose their own way, then He does not commission His angels to prevent Satan’s decided attacks upon them.

“It is Satan’s power that is at work at sea and on land, bringing calamity and distress, and sweeping off multitudes to make sure of his prey, and storm and tempest both by sea and land will be, for Satan has come down in great wrath. He is at work. He knows his time is short and, he is not restrained; we shall see more terrible manifestations of his great power than we have ever dreamed of.”  Manuscript Release  vol. 14, p. 3

Why would God allow this and why “seven” plagues? God allows this because He provides genuine freedom. What God wants He cannot obtain by the exercise of might, power or force. God cannot force people to love Him. He cannot force people to be cheerful when returning tithes. Therefore, God will let go all who insist on leaving Him.

The turning over or letting go occurs only when people have rejected God so completely that they are beyond reach. It is then God grants them the consequences of their own choice, to be without Him and then evil forces have freedom to harass and harm.

Why “seven” plagues? Just as God, from “chaos,” created a perfectly ordered world in seven days, so in seven steps God turns the world over to Satan and all will see that when Satan is unrestrained, when Satan is “in charge” God’s perfect order is turned back into chaos!

So why does God do it? Because love can exist only in freedom and God will eventually grant each person their choice to be without Him. AND also because God is the God of truth and in granting rebellious humanity their choice to be apart from Him and allow Satan to “govern” unrestrained God reveals the truth that Satan’s methods bring only chaos, destruction, and death. It is when we come back to a true knowledge of God, understand His principles of truth, love and freedom, and the nature of the war between Christ and Satan that we can see, even in difficult passages like Revelation 15 and 16, God’s beautiful character of love!

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 73

I have been truly blessed by your blogs and other resources. They have helped me to see things in a much brighter light and to reason things out better. Thank you so much for your ministry. Whenever I have the opportunity I pass along your material to my friends.

R. Noseworthy, Newfoundland, Canada

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 75

Thank you so much for everything you do! Because of all these truths, I’m excited to be with Jesus! I always pray everyday, “COME TODAY, JESUS.” Before finding C&R, I was always praying for delays, “NOT TODAY OH GOD. I AM NOT READY.” I just need to share more, talk more bout this truth, so everybody will be excited for Jesus.

J C Shin

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada