Understanding the Book of Revelation - II

by Bryan Gibson

March 25, 2009

This is a follow up to last week’s article, where we compared the events described in the Book of Revelation to the Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian bondage. There are just too many references to the experience of the Israelites in this book to ignore this comparison. Let’s notice a few more comparisons this week, focusing this time on the judgment of the two nations, Egypt and Rome.

The method of judgment was the same—it was accomplished in stages. God could have delivered Israel from Egypt with one mighty blow, but He chose instead to send a series of judgments, in the form of ten plagues. This is the same pattern found in the Book of Revelation, where a number of warning judgments (seven trumpets) are given before the decisive blow. Clearly, God wanted to turn the hearts of these people to Him; He was giving them ample time to come to know Him and repent of their sins (Exodus 7:5, 17; Revelation 9:20-21). Of course, these warning judgments would also serve as a wake up call to any of God’s people who needed to repent.

God’s purpose behind these judgments was the same. Yes, He intended to punish the oppressors, and yes, He intended to deliver His people, but there was still another purpose—to show that He reigns! Read the song Moses and the children of Israel sang after God delivered them, especially the conclusion: “The LORD shall reign forever and forever” (Exodus 15:18). Compare this to the proclamation of the angel at the sounding of the seventh trumpet: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15). These were two powerful demonstrations of the Lord’s power and authority over all nations. This was the message God wanted to send, not just to these respective generations, but to all succeeding generations.

God’s care for His people during these judgments was the same. The Israelites suffered along with the Egyptians during the first three plagues, but starting with the fourth plague, God made a difference between the Israelites and the Egyptians (Exodus 8:22-23). The land of Goshen, where the Israelites dwelt, was not hit with the remaining plagues. They were protected from the final plague, the death of the firstborn, in a very interesting way—by the blood of the Passover lamb, which they sprinkled on the top and sides of their doorposts. Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, it seems that the people of God suffered along with everyone else initially, but notice what is said before the opening of the seventh seal: “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads” (7:3). The purpose of this was obviously protection, because later the command is given to harm “only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads” (9:4). The best form of protection they were given though was the blood of their Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ. Those who were washed in His blood and followed Him faithfully had no reason to fear anything that might happen to them (7:14; 12:11).