The Seven Last Plagues After Probation Closes

The seven last plagues are a series of severe and unmingled judgments from God that are poured out upon the earth after human probation has definitively closed and Christ's work as Mediator in the heavenly sanctuary has endedEVRR368+9. These plagues represent the consummation of God's wrath, demonstrating His justice against those who have rejected His mercy and embraced evilEVRR549+7.

The Close of Probation

Probation is the period during which humanity has the opportunity to repent and accept God's salvation through ChristYI January 1, 1854, par. 5+24. This period concludes when Jesus Christ ends His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary as man's intercessorGP 93.2+25. At this solemn moment, Christ makes the irreversible declaration, based on the choices people have made: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still" Revelation 22:11SH 105.3+2. This declaration signals that every individual's eternal destiny is then fixedLDE 279.3+4.

The close of probation marks the end of prophetic time and chronological date setting in Bible prophecy, with 1844 being the last significant prophetic date mentionedEVRR325. Before this close, there is an investigative judgment concerning the righteous, first the dead, and then the living, to determine who is worthy of translation or the first resurrectionEVRR373+6. During the closing work of salvation, a "latter rain" or refreshing from the Lord's presence comes to give power to the loud voice of the third angel's message, preparing the saints to stand in the coming period of plaguesLDE 186.4+6. The final seal of redemption and protection, the seal of the living God, is applied to God's people just before the close of probationEVRR237+6. This sealing is completed before the four angels holding the four winds of the earth cease their restraint, which prevents the final great battle from commencing Revelation 7:1-3EVRR237+2.

Historically, after the 1844 disappointment, some early Advent believers held a "shut door" view, believing that probation had closed for the world1EGWLM 42.2+2. This view evolved within Sabbatarian Adventism to mean that Jesus' ministry had transitioned to the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary, rather than a universal end of mercy for sinners1EGWLM 46.5+6. Ellen White, while initially associated with the shut door concept, clarified that it related to Christ's change of ministration and the advancement of "present truth," not an end of salvation for repentant sinners1EGWLM 46.5+5.

The Nature and Details of the Seven Last Plagues

The seven last plagues are often referred to as the "day of the Lord's vengeance" and are distinguished from earlier plagues (like the trumpets) by being poured out without mixture of mercy, indicating that probation has ceasedEVRR528+6. They are depicted as literal, worldwide scourges, though not universally affecting every individual in the same way, as God's people are protectedEVRR549+5. The temple in heaven is filled with smoke during this time, so no one can enter, signifying the end of Christ's mediatorial work Revelation 15:5-8LUJ 252.2. The duration of these plagues is often understood to be about one prophetic "day" or approximately one yearEVRR549+5.

Here are the details of each of the seven last plagues:

1. Grievous Sores: The first plague brings agonizing cancerous sores upon those who have the mark of the beast and worship his image, for which there is no relief Revelation 16:2EVRR549+3.

2. Sea Turned to Blood: The world's oceans become toxic, like the blood of a dead man, causing all sea life to perish Revelation 16:3EVRR549+1.

3. Fresh Water to Blood: All fresh water sources, including rivers and fountains, turn into blood, making them undrinkable. This is a righteous judgment because the wicked had shed the blood of saints and prophets Revelation 16:4-6EVRR549+2.

4. Sun Scorches Men with Fire: The sun smites humanity with extreme heat, scorching people with fire, yet they blaspheme God and do not repent Revelation 16:8-9EVRR549+1.

5. Darkness and Pain: Impenetrable global darkness falls upon the seat of the beast, producing extreme cold, causing the unsaved to gnaw their tongues for pain. Even then, they do not repent of their deeds Revelation 16:10-11EVRR549.

6. Euphrates Dried Up and Armageddon: The symbolic drying up of the great river Euphrates represents the fall of the Turkish Empire and the weakening of the powers supporting Babylon, preparing the way for "the kings of the East." Unclean spirits like frogs, representing spirits of demons working miracles, go out to the kings of the earth to gather them to the battle of Armageddon Revelation 16:12-16EVRR549+6. This plague exposes religious leaders and leads to their slaying by their own supportersEVRR549+1.

7. Global Earthquake and Hail: The seventh angel pours out his vial into the air, and a great voice from the throne declares, "It is done." This is followed by unprecedented voices, thunders, lightning, and a global earthquake, the mightiest ever known. Every island flees, mountains disappear, and giant hailstones, each weighing about a talent, fall from heaven, causing men to blaspheme God Revelation 16:17-21EVRR549+10. This plague brings about the destruction of spiritual BabylonEVRR549.

Experience of the Righteous and the Wicked

During the outpouring of the seven last plagues, God's people, having received the seal of the living God, are protected. They do not experience the terrible effects of the plagues. Their situation is likened to that of Israel during the plagues upon Egypt Psalm 91:1-10EVRR237+10. While the wicked suffer immensely, they do not repent but rather blaspheme God Revelation 16:9, 11, 21.

Immediately prior to the final deliverance, during the time of Jacob's trouble, the saints cry out to God for deliverance from their persecutorsEVRR521. It is at midnight that God chooses to deliver His people. The storm ceases, darkness disappears, and the sun bursts forth, followed by the appearance of a small cloud in the east, signaling Christ's imminent returnEVRR514+1. The wicked, filled with consternation and knowing that probation has ended, cry to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne Revelation 6:16-17SCOC 43.3. They will realize they have no shelter from God's wrath and will plead for one more hour of probation, only to hear, "Too late! too late!"YI January 1, 1854, par. 5+1.

The pouring out of the seven last plagues is directly connected to the great day of God Almighty, leading up to the second coming of ChristMEDM August 21, 1906, page 66.2+3. While the plagues destroy a large portion of the wicked, the final and complete destruction of the wicked occurs at the second coming of Christ, and in the lake of fire at the end of the millennium (Revelation 13:41-42; Revelation 20:9-15)EVRR528+3. The saints, however, will shout deliverance and inherit the whole earth made newEW 54.1+1.

In summary, the seven last plagues are a distinct period of divine judgment, following the close of human probation, intended to punish the impenitent who have rejected God's truth. While devastating to the wicked, they serve as a testament to God's justice and lead directly to the glorious second advent of Christ and the final deliverance of His sealed people.