Understanding the Seven Last Plagues of Revelation

The seven last plagues are the literal and final manifestation of the unmingled wrath of God, poured out upon those who reject His mercy and worship the beast and his image Revelation 15:1TMR 115+2. These judgments occur after Jesus finishes His intercession in the heavenly sanctuary and probation has closed for the world Revelation 15:8ExV 19.1+2.

The Nature and Timing of the Plagues

The plagues are the "third woe" and represent the "wine of the wrath of God" which is poured out without any mixture of mercy Revelation 14:10TMR 115+2. They are literal events, similar in nature to the plagues of Egypt, and will occupy a period of approximately one year before the second advent of ChristSYNPT 162.2+3. While the wicked are tormented by these judgments, the people of God will be shielded and protected, though they pass through the mental anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble Psalms 91:1-10ExV 19.1+2.

A Description of the Seven Vials

The specific effects of each plague demonstrate the total withdrawal of God's restraining grace and the Holy Spirit from the earthSSP 278.2+2:

• First Plague: A foul and loathsome sore falls upon those who possess the mark of the beast and worship his image Revelation 16:2EVRR256+1.

• Second Plague: The sea becomes as the blood of a dead man, and every living soul in the sea dies Revelation 16:3EVRR256.

• Third Plague: The rivers and fountains of water are turned to blood as a just recompense for those who have shed the blood of saints and prophets Revelation 16:4-6EVRR256+1.

• Fourth Plague: The sun is given power to scorch men with fierce heat, yet the impenitent do not repent but instead blaspheme God Revelation 16:8-9EVRR256+1.

• Fifth Plague: The kingdom of the beast is filled with darkness, causing men to gnaw their tongues for pain Revelation 16:10-11EVRR256.

• Sixth Plague: The waters of the great river Euphrates—representing the Turkish Empire or the support of the nations for spiritual Babylon—are dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East Revelation 16:12EVRR256+3. At this time, spirits of demons work miracles to gather the world to the battle of Armageddon Revelation 16:13-16EVRR256+1.

• Seventh Plague: A great voice from the throne in heaven cries, "It is done," followed by the most mighty earthquake in human history, great hail, and the final fall of the cities of the nations Revelation 16:17-21EVRR256+2.

The Purpose of the Judgments

These plagues are designed to punish the impenitent, expose the deceptive character of Babylon, and avenge the blood of the martyrs Revelation 19:2EVRR212+2. They mark the conclusion of the gospel age and the beginning of the great day of the Lord's vengeance Isaiah 34:8SITI April 21, 1887, page 248.2+2. For the righteous, the truth of God serves as a "shield and buckler" during this awful hour, ensuring their safety until they are delivered by the voice of God Psalms 91:4ExV 19.1+1.

The seven last plagues are the definitive fulfillment of the unmingled wrath of God, occurring after the close of human probation and the completion of Christ's work in the heavenly sanctuaryDAR1909 681.1+1. These judgments correspond to the seven trumpets but represent the final and full measure of Heaven’s justice upon those who have rejected truth and accepted the mark of the beastEVRR255+1.

Parallelism Between Trumpets and Plagues

The following chart outlines the striking parallels between the seven trumpets and the seven last plagues, illustrating that both series of judgments affect similar spheres of the world but with increasing intensity in the plaguesEVRR255.

Target of Judgment	Trumpet Reference	Plague Reference
The Earth	Revelation 8:7	Revelation 16:2
The Sea	Revelation 8:8	Revelation 16:3
Rivers and Springs	Revelation 8:10	Revelation 16:4
The Sun/Light	Revelation 8:12	Revelation 16:8
Darkness/Air	Revelation 9:2	Revelation 16:10
River Euphrates	Revelation 9:14	Revelation 16:12
Conclusion/Voices	Revelation 11:19	Revelation 16:17-18

The Sequential Pouring of the Seven Vials

This table details the specific nature and effects of each of the seven last plagues as they are poured out from the golden vials of God's indignationMEDM August 21, 1906, page 66.4+1.

Plague Order	Manifestation of Wrath	Resulting Effect
First	Noisome and grievous soresSITI September 14, 1888, page 569.6	Afflicts those with the mark of the beastDAR1909 686.2.
Second	Sea turned to bloodARSH March 23, 1852, page 105.17	Every living soul in the sea diesSITI October 27, 1881, page 464.7.
Third	Rivers and fountains become bloodWGI 91.2	Retribution for the blood of saints and prophetsARSH March 23, 1852, page 105.17.
Fourth	Upon the sunEVRR255	Men are scorched with great heatEMTF 54.6.
Fifth	Darkness upon the seat of the beastLUJ 254.3	Men gnaw their tongues for pain and soresLUJ 254.3.
Sixth	Drying of the River EuphratesSITI September 14, 1888, page 570.8	Prepares the way for the kings of the EastMEDM August 14, 1906, page 59.2.
Seventh	Great voice: "It is done"EQ 14.2	Earthquake, voices, thunders, and great hailPTUK March 12, 1896, page 164.7.

The Condition of Inhabitants During the Plagues

The experience of both the righteous and the wicked during this period is starkly differentCET 100.2.

Group	Experience During Plagues	Final Outcome
The Wicked	Enraged, suffering agony and black despairEW 282.1+1	Destroyed by the brightness of Christ's comingARSH December 27, 1855, page 101.5.
The Righteous	Protected by the seal of the living GodEVRR237+1	Delivered by the voice of God and triumphCET 100.2+1.

It is truly a blessing to understand these truths, as they motivate us to seek that perfect preparation in Christ and find shelter under the wing of the Almighty during the coming stormExV 54.2+1.

...me parallels between the seven trumpets and the seven last plagues as the following table shows. | Parallels between the seven trumpets and the seven last plagues in Revelation ||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Trumpets | Reference | Plagues | ...— EVRR255 (2024)

...rsquo;s unmingled wrath, and the fulness of its measure, for the last generation of the wicked. The work of mercy is then forever past. A Preparatory Scene. - Thus reads the fifteenth chapter entire. By it we are carried back to a new...— DAR1909 681.1

... Revelation 14:6-14. So it is apparent that while Christ is finishing his work in the sanctuary, and while the third angel is giving the last message of mercy to man, the seven last plagues are withheld, though pending ready to be poured out. But when the work of probation is closed, and the intercess...— JEO 89.2 (1890)

...ss Publishing Assn., 1868), 268.] Soon the dead and dying will be all around the faithful remnant. Only those who have the seal of the living God will be sheltered from the storm of wrath that will fall on the heads of those who have rejected the truth. [James Wh...— EVRR237 (2024)

...or all their sins, must attend to the work before God’s wrath shall be poured out. First, the nations will be angry; and in that time of confusion, will the loud cry of the Third Angel be closed up. Then will follow the wrath of God in the seven last plagues, but not till the voice of warning is hushed, and every lip employed in giving the last warning is stilled— ARSH March 27, 1856, page 204.20 (1855)