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 27

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 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

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 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

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 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

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 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.