Jehovah's Works -Great And Wonderful

A Woman giving birth to a male child! A great dragon seeking to devour that child! Those two heavenly signs, so vividly portrayed in Revelation chapter 12, brought home to us that the age long controversy involving the Seed of God's woman and Satan and his demonic seed is reaching its climax. In highlighting these symbols, John says: "And a great sign was seen in heaven. . . And another sign was seen ." (Revelation 12:1,3, 7-12) Now John reports a third sign: "And I saw in heaven another sign, great and wonderful, seven angels with seven plagues. These are the last ones, because by means of them the anger of God is brought to a finish.: (Revelation 15:1) This third sign also has vital meaning for Jehovah's servants.

Notice the important roles that angels again have in accomplishing God's will. This fact has long been known by Jehovah's servants. Why, under inspiration the ancient psalmist even spoke to such angels, urging them: "Bless Jehovah, O you angels of his, mighty in power, carrying out his word, by listening to the voice of his word"! (Psalm 103:20) Now, in this new scene, angels are assigned to pour out the seven last plagues.

What are these plagues? Like the seven trumpet blasts, they are scathing judgment pronouncements publicizing Jehovah's view of various features of this world and warning of the final outcome of his judicial decisions. (Revelation 8:1-9:21) The pouring out of them points to an execution of those judgments, when the objects of Jehovah's wrath are destroyed in the day of his burning anger. (Isaiah 13:9-13; Revelation 6:16, 17) Thus, by means of them "the anger of God is brought to a finish." But before describing the pouring out of the plagues, John tells us about some humans who will not be adversely affected by them. Having refused the mark of the wild beast, these loyal ones sing praises to Jehovah as they proclaim his day of vengeance.- Revelation 13:15-17.

Next time: The Song Of Moses And Of The Lamb.