The Divinely Determined Completeness of  God’s Plan or Purpose (7) (Part 12)

Seven-fold Angels Pouring 7 Golden Vials = 7 Last Plagues: (3rd of 3 “Wraths”)

1. Noisome and grievous sores upon the men which had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. (Rev.16:2)
2. Sea becomes as the blood of a dead man and every living soul dies in the sea. (Rev. 16:3)
3. Rivers and fountains of waters became blood. (Rev. 16:4)
4. The sun is given the power to scorch men with fire. (Rev. 16:8-9)
5. The kingdom of the beast is put into total (full) darkness. (Rev. 16:10-11)
6. Great river Euphrates is dried up. (Rev. 16:12)
7. Great voice from heaven saying “It is done”, voices, lightnings, thunders and a great earthquake, such as has never been on the earth, “so mighty and so great”. City of Babylon split into three parts. Islands and mountains disappear. Great hail falling from heaven, each hail stone having the weight of about a talent. (Rev. 16:17-21)

Commentary: Third series of the three (3) wraths, characterized as the strongest wrath with the most intensity compared to the Seal and Trumpet wraths. These are considered the last plagues or wrath poured out on the earth and mankind. Notice that almost all these plagues directly affect the earth (which sustains man’s ability to live and exist). What started out as partial effects on the earth, sun, moon, stars, rivers, foliage, etc., in the seal and trumpet wraths has now become a total affect. Interestingly, the very last vial plague states, “It is done.” God’s wrath has been totally poured out on the earth and mankind. Babylon is annihilated in one hour by a cataclysmic earthquake.

Hidden in all three (3) wrath phases is God’s mercy. How can that be? God, in his infinite mercy, chooses not to pour out total wrath or destruction all at once. He chooses to do it incrementally and give evil man a chance to repent and accept Christ’s offer of salvation after each series of wraths. God metaphorically ‘turns up the heat’ in each successive series of wraths in order to shake up the most hardened of hearts. He wants men to repent of their sins throughout the entire Tribulation and Great Tribulation period. However, the Bible is clear that many (most) men “repent not”, and instead curse God.