THE FINAL PLAGUES by J. O. Corliss

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 4, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 36.

THE FINAL PLAGUES.

By J. O. Corliss

SINCE the decisions of the judgment are rendered according to the standard of God’s commandments, it seems appropriate enough for the last appeal of the warning judgment message to call attention to these commandments, and point out as saints those who keep them. Rev. 14:6–12. It will be noticed that this warning also indicates the result of refusing to keep these commandments, showing that such will surely drink of the wine of the wrath of God. What this amounts to is revealed in the first verse of chapter fifteen. It is there stated that in the plagues to be poured out immediately following the last message of mercy, is completed the wrath of God. In these plagues even the very dregs of the wine-cup of God’s fury are to be poured out for sinners to drink. Ps. 75:8.

This being the “unmingled” wrath of God, it follows that there is in it no commingling of mercy, as has been in all past frowns of heaven upon wicked men. This is evidence that at that time Jesus has ceased His pleading, and that probation’s privileges are things of the past, never again to be enjoyed. Rev. 8:5. This time, fraught with the deepest interest to the people of the present generation, will be ushered in by a decree, as the result of the judgment work, that no man’s condition can ever be changed from what it is then found to be. In other words, he that is holy and righteous will ever remain so, while he that is filthy and unholy must continue the same until he meets his final destiny. Rev. 22:11. The Spirit of God having been resisted and rejected by the incorrigibles, these have sealed their own fate eternally.

This decree may not be formally made known to the world, because it could not be understood by those who have rejected the Spirit’s power to enlighten the darkened mind (Matt. 24:36, 37; Dan. 12:9, 10); but the loyal ones will know the state of affairs from the fact that they have been separated from the others by heeding the command to gather themselves together before the decree passes. Zeph. 2:1–3. More than this, a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, follows closely upon the delivery of the decree, and every Bible student knows, and will then more fully know, that when that time comes, the standing up of the Lord, which is the commencement of His eternal reign over the children of men, is next at hand. Dan. 7:13, 14; 12:1.

Besides, this time of greatest trouble ever known, must include the infliction of the seven last plagues upon the wicked, the severity of which is such that the rivers and fountains of waters run blood for men to drink, while the race is being scorched with dire heat from the rays of the sun. Malignant sores eat the flesh, causing the strongest and bravest to cry out, and gnaw their tongues for pain. Yet because of these plagues, especially the last one, which pours out great hailstones upon offending heads, men blaspheme the name of God more and more, until the battle of Armageddon ends in the mightiest earthquake ever known, and a thunderous voice from heaven declares the end of the controversy. Revelation 16.

The righteous are shielded in this terrible time, because they have separated from the wicked (Zeph. 2:1–3); hence no plague is permitted to come near them, while they behold the reward of iniquity,—the wickedness in which men have indulged,—falling upon their own heads. Ps. 91:1–11; Jer. 14:16. Thus all behold the majesty of Him whom the majority have spurned and set at naught. This is the time when the parable of the foolish virgins meets its fullest and final accomplishment. Matt. 25:11. It is also the time when men wander fruitlessly from sea to sea, and from the “north even to the

east,” seeking for some to teach them the lessons of God’s Word, which they had so long held in contempt. Amos 8:11, 12. But alas, it is too late; “the harvest is past, the summer is ended,” and these are not, neither can they ever be, saved. Jer. 8:20.

In view of all this, it is not hard to see the reason why the Lord said of those who die in the message just before the end comes, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Rev. 14:13. Not only is their work done, and they rest from their labors, to come up at the close of the controversy, and witness the triumph of the saints, but they are not required to pass through the terrible strain of earth’s closing scenes. Sweet and blessed rest; for even God’s people are to have surpassing troubles to meet before the warfare is ended. In the enforcement of “the mark of the beast,” those who continue loyal to God will be especially marked as objects of the dragon’s wrath. Rev. 13:15–17. They will therefore be obliged to flee to the eternal hills for refuge, where the fortresses of rocks may defend them from the attacks of their ruthless foes. There they will receive, according to the promise of heaven, their daily bread, until permitted to behold the King in His beauty, and realize His mighty power over their mad pursuers. Isa. 33:16, 17. In such condition they will, in deep humility, cry day and night for deliverance, while awaiting their vindication at the hands of God. Luke 8:7, 8. J. O. CORLISS.