THE SIXTH PLAGUE by B. G. Wilkinson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1900

THE SIXTH PLAGUE

By B. G. Wilkinson

Since there is no probation in the time of the plagues, there can be no difficulty in seeing that there is no probation under any one of the plagues. And especially there could be no probation under the sixth plague, though the record of this plague may seem to state the contrary.

In the account of the sixth plague the statement which pronounces a blessing upon him who keeps his acquired acceptance with God is one of great importance. Because in it we find the light to help us see when the falling of the plagues is near. The plagues are prominent from the fifteenth to the last chapter of Revelation. In chapter 22: 18 it is stated: “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” But search chapters 15, 16, and onward to the 22d, and there can be found but one sign of the coming of the plagues.

Read the first plague; no sign there. Read the second; it has no sign: they are simply statements as to what these are, and where they are poured. Nor in the record of any plague can a sign be found until the sixth is reached. The sixth plague (Rev. 16: 12-15) contains what no other plague contains: it has two scenes. John saw all the other plagues accomplished by each vial-angel and the agencies which that angel set in motion. But in the sixth plague he saw the angel do the finishing act, while the work of preparation was done by three evil spirits, which came out of the dragon’s mouth, out of the beast’s mouth, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Now during the time in which these three evil spirits were at work,—NOT while the sixth angel was pouring out his vial,—a voice was heard saying: “BEHOLD I COME AS A THIEF. BLESSED IS HE THAT WATCHETH, AND KEEPETH HIS GARMENTS, LEST HE WALK NAKED, AND THEY SEE HIS SHAME.” This is the statement that at once demands our attention.

There are two views taken of this statement, both of which are erroneous:—

1. The most dangerous and most confusing view is that the Scripture under consideration offers a chance of probation during the outpouring of the sixth plague; and that therefore there is probation under all the plagues: or if not under all, at least through the sixth. But I have already set forth the Scriptures which show that there is no probation in the time of the plagues; because, first, Christ has left the mercy seat, and there is mercy no longer for man; secondly, because when the plagues begin, men have cut themselves off from the Spirit of God, and under the plague they can not repent; and, thirdly, because then God rewards sinners even as they have rewarded the saints, and doubles unto them double according to their work.

2. The second view is that this text, paraphrased, would mean: Blessed is he that hath watched, and kept his garments, so that now at this time he may not walk naked, and they may not see his shame. Though this view is more in accord with the whole thought of the plagues, yet it meets two serious objections:—

a. It demands an unusual translation, which can be sustained only by stretching the Greek.

b. It darkens the light of the text, and robs the proclamation of its special force. You may as well say, Blessed is he that hath been good that he may gain heaven at last. But the blessing in this text is special. The voice offers the priceless boon of eternal salvation to those who will diligently watch,

Editors’ Note: This is the second in the series of eight studies on The Plagues. The next article will be, “Who Will Escape the Plagues?” That friend of yours should read these articles. Invest twenty-five cents in a two-months’ subscription for him. Here is an opportunity for you to do real missionary work. The number of those who have been led to accept the truth through reading-matter sent them by friends is large. Will you not increase it? If you can invest fifty cents, to send the REVIEW to two friends, so much the better. We can begin subscriptions with last week’s paper, to make the series of articles on The Plagues complete. You may pay in postage stamps if you wish.

to pass unconquered through the last trying hours of test.

But let us rise to the solemn and true significance of this text. It at once sets before us the gathering of “the kings of the East.” It is spoken in close connection with the mustering calls of the evil spirits. Suppose, then, that these frog-like demons begin their gathering work before the plagues begin to fall! What then? From the moment that the kings of the East appear in sight and begin to move, until the first plague begins to fall, probation is in its last limits. Applied thus, right in the rapidly closing days of grace, how appropriate the solemn warning, “Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame”!

But why is reference made only to those who “keep” their garments, not to those who may obtain?—Because when the judgment begins on the living, the eye of Jesus sees in the book of life those only who have once accepted Him as their Saviour. They have once obtained the garments of righteousness. Now will they keep them? Will they endure the searching glance of His holy eyes?—Yes; if they have heeded the warning, are awake and watching. There are “a few names even in Sardis;” some of “my people” are still in Babylon; honest ones there are, whose little light is not dimmed by disobedience. These all must be warned to hold fast what they have lest they lose their garments and display their indecent deformity (ἀσχημοσύνη, Greek).

The sixth plague has a work of preparation—“that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared.” Rev. 16: 12. That work of preparing the kings of the East begins with the movements of the evil spirits: it is completed when the sixth angel pours out his vial on the great river Euphrates. Since the work of the evil spirits has been going on secretly for some time, we have already been living in the preparatory time of the sixth plague, which is indeed the preparatory time of all the plagues—the first as well as the sixth. But the decisive moments of that preparation will be reached when “the kings of the East” appear in sight. Then we have the sign that probation is about to close. Yes, more, we have the sign of the coming of the plagues.

Are these kings of the East in sight?—Yes; decidedly, yes. It needs but little light to see the kings of the East gathering on the shores of China. In just what manner they shall reach the valley and battle of Armageddon is not the most serious question just now. I trust none will wait till then to make their calling and election sure. The gathering of these kings means the last chance of probation; it means the coming of the plagues. For it is the sign.

When you see the kings of the East gathering, know that God is preparing for the sixth movement, and the plagues will soon begin. Since probation closes when the plagues begin to fall, now is the time to make the best use of probation. “Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

B. G. WILKINSON.