‘Day 276

The Meaning of the Seven Last Plagues is only truly understood in the light of the cross. These plagues are: Calvary’s Blood, Calvary’s earthquake, Calvary’s darkness, Calvary’s thirst. Calvary was a mountain that felt the footsteps of its creator and there saw Him lifted on a roughhewn cross between heaven and earth as though He were not fit for either. With the symbol of the curse upon His head, He took the wrath of God against sin on our behalf. Now, the rejecters of God’s grace must pay their own price. God is dealing with this planet’s rebellion. 

People have already made their choice either for God or for Babylon. Before Christ comes, however, the destructive winds of Satan’s fury that have been restrained (Rev.7:1-3) are unleashed, followed by the seven last plagues. The backdrop for these plagues is the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 7-11.)  
They are the “last” plagues because they come at the very end of earth’s history. In contrast, the plagues of the seven trumpets cover the time period that includes the entire Christian age and are restricted in their scope. They were executed while the gospel was still being preached (Rev.10:8-11:14) and intercession was taking place (Rev.8:2-5). They were mixed with mercy, and their purpose was to bring the enemies of God’s people to repentance. 

On the other hand, the seven last plagues are poured out just prior to the Second Coming. They are poured out upon those who, like Pharaoh, hardened their hearts against God’s redeeming love and would not repent (Rev.16:11). Divine wrath is God’s righteous judgment on the choices people have made (Rom.1:26-28), and at that time the lost are reaping the consequences of their own choices. The long delay in getting this far is testimony to God’s patience. 

The expression “no one was able to enter into the temple” (Revelation15:8) points to the close of probation (Rev.22:11). As Christ’s mediation ministry in heaven comes to an end, the door of opportunity to repent closes forever. Therefore, the last plagues will not bring anyone to repentance, but only disclose the hardness of the hearts of those who chose to side with Babylon, prompting them to hate God even more (Rev.16:9-11). C.f. this to Pharoah, whose heart was hardened and he, and his army, perished in the Red Sea. The same sun that melts wax hardens clay. The same Spirit works on a human heart with two different results.