John 19:28-37, Revelation 15, Job 37, Habakkuk 1-3

Revelation 15:

We enter now into the last of John’s cycles of seven. This time the seven angels will unleash seven last plagues, symbolized (in chapter 16) as coming from seven bowls. These plagues replicate and resonate with the plagues that came on Egypt. And they are God’s judgment now on all those in the whole earth who refuse to repent and turn to him.

There are those who do repent – in chapter 14 and chapter 11, we hear described the mission of God’s people through which many people from every tribe and nation come to saving faith in Christ. But these last plagues are poured out on all those on the earth who refuse to be saved. There is a great salvation:

“All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

But for those who will not repent and are not saved:

“Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues.”

These chapters of judgment stand as a warning to us. They call us to come to saving faith in Jesus. And they present those who are saved an ongoing encouragement to remain faithful to God, and act and speak in faithful witness before the nations.