THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES: Preparing the Heart to Understand the Progressive Revelation of Jesus Christ
Carl Timothy Wray is the founder of The Finished Work of Christ ministry and a Bible teacher devoted to revealing Jesus Christ through the full counsel of God. For more than four decades, he has studied the Scriptures with a focus on tracing God’s eternal purpose from Genesis to Revelation. His Christ-centered teaching emphasizes the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ, the ways of God, the maturity of the saints, and the Father’s eternal purpose to bring all things into Christ. Through books, articles, videos, and Zion University, Wray seeks to prepare believers to discern the revelation of Jesus Christ through the harmony of the whole Bible.
THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES: Revelation 16:2 — How the First Messenger Reveals the Ways of God is a Christ-centered study of Revelation 15 and 16 that prepares readers to understand the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ through the seven last plagues. Beginning with the first messenger of Revelation 16:2, Carl Timothy Wray traces the consistent ways of God from Genesis to Revelation, showing how the Father progressively reveals, exposes, purifies, delivers, and matures His people according to His eternal purpose. By connecting the Exodus, the Refiner’s Fire, circumcision of the heart, and the full counsel of God, this study reveals the seven bowls as a progressive unveiling of Jesus Christ rather than merely a series of prophetic judgments.
Introduction
The Book of Revelation is not merely a book about future events. It is, first and foremost, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Every vision, every symbol, every messenger, and every judgment ultimately reveals the person, purpose, and operation of Jesus Christ as He accomplishes the Father’s eternal will.
Among the most misunderstood passages in Revelation are the seven last plagues recorded in Revelation 15 and 16. Throughout history, these bowls have often been viewed primarily as catastrophic judgments poured out upon the world. Yet before the first bowl is ever poured, John first sees a heavenly temple opened, a victorious company standing upon a sea of glass, and a priestly company sent forth from the presence of God. The order itself reveals that heaven always takes the initiative.
This study begins where God begins—with the first messenger of Revelation 16:2.
Rather than rushing immediately to the outward symbols, we will first prepare our hearts through the full counsel of God. The Scriptures declare that the things written beforehand were written for our learning. Therefore, we will allow the Old and New Covenants to prepare us to understand Revelation 15 and 16 by tracing the consistent ways of God through Egypt, the Refiner’s Fire, circumcision of the heart, and the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ.
As we walk through these biblical patterns, we will continually return to Revelation 16:2, allowing every example to illuminate the same divine operation. The symbols may change, but the God who works through them never changes. The same Father who sent Moses now sends a heavenly priesthood. The same Word that confronted Egypt now reveals Jesus Christ through the first messenger. The same God who has always revealed, exposed, purified, delivered, and matured His people continues His work until His eternal purpose is fulfilled.
This book is written to prepare the reader’s heart to understand the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ and to recognize the Father’s unchanging ways throughout the whole counsel of God.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why Revelation 16:2?
Chapter One
Egypt and the Ten Plagues: Learning the Ways of God
Chapter Two
The Refiner’s Fire: Understanding God’s Purifying Work
Chapter Three
Circumcision of the Heart: Preparing for the Inheritance
Chapter Four
The Heavenly Priesthood: Those Who Carry the Bowls
Chapter Five
The First Messenger: Heaven Takes the Initiative
Chapter Six
The First Bowl: The Revelation of Jesus Christ Is Poured Out
Chapter Seven
The Earth Realm: Where Truth Enters Mixture
Chapter Eight
The Noisome and Grievous Sore: What Happens When the Lord Appears
Chapter Nine
The Mark of the Beast and the Image: Identifying the Old Adamic Order
Chapter Ten
The Ways of God Revealed Through the First Bowl
Chapter Eleven
The Remaining Six Bowls: The Progressive Revelation of Jesus Christ
Conclusion
God’s Eternal Purpose Revealed
CHAPTER ONE
EGYPT AND THE TEN PLAGUES: Learning the Ways of God
“Now These Things Were Written for Our Learning”
Scripture
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:11
Teaching
Before we study The Seven Last Plagues of Revelation 15 and 16, we must first understand why God gave us the Old Covenant. The apostle Paul plainly teaches that the events recorded in the Scriptures were written for our examples and our learning. They are more than historical records; they reveal the consistent ways of God.
Throughout this study of The Seven Last Plagues, we will continually return to this principle. Every example recorded in Scripture prepares our hearts to understand the revelation of Jesus Christ. God does not change His nature, His purpose, or His ways. The symbols may change, the generations may change, and the covenants may change, but the God who works through them remains the same.
As we study Egypt and the ten plagues, we are not leaving our subject. We are preparing ourselves to understand Revelation 15 and 16. The same God who acted in Egypt reveals His ways again through The Seven Last Plagues.
God Always Takes the Initiative
Scripture
“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”
— Exodus 3:10
Teaching
The work of deliverance did not begin with Moses. It began with God.
God heard the cry of His people.
God revealed His purpose.
God called His servant.
God sent His messenger.
This is the first great pattern of divine operation.
God always takes the initiative.
This principle prepares us for The Seven Last Plagues. Before the first bowl is ever poured out in Revelation 16:2, heaven moves first. God again sends a messenger to accomplish His purpose. Moses was sent to Egypt carrying the Word of God. In Revelation, the first messenger proceeds from the heavenly temple carrying the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The symbols have changed, but the Sender has not.
The same God is still sending His Word to set His people free.
The Word Reveals Before It Delivers
Scripture
“See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.”
— Exodus 7:1
Teaching
Moses did not go to Egypt with political power or military strength. He went carrying the Word of the Lord.
Every plague that followed was the result of God’s Word confronting a kingdom that resisted His purpose.
The Word revealed.
The Word exposed.
The Word judged.
The Word delivered.
This is one of the great lessons that prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
In Revelation 16:2, the first messenger pours out his bowl into the earth. The bowl is not separated from the revelation of Jesus Christ. As truth is revealed, everything contrary to Christ is brought into the light. God’s purpose is never merely to expose darkness, but to reveal His Son and accomplish His redemptive work.
One Word, Two Different Results
Scripture
“And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt.”
— Exodus 9:4
Teaching
The same Word that confronted Egypt protected Israel.
The same presence that became judgment to one became deliverance to another.
God did not send one message to Egypt and another message to Israel. He sent one Word.
Its effect depended upon the condition of those receiving it.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The revelation of Jesus Christ produces different results in different states of being. Those who remain under the influence of the beast experience exposure as truth enters their realm. Those who have overcome through the Lamb rejoice in the presence of God because the same truth has already accomplished its work within them.
The difference is not the Word.
The difference is the condition of the heart receiving the Word.
The Purpose of God’s Judgments
Scripture
“That thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.”
— Exodus 9:14
Teaching
Throughout the Exodus account, God repeatedly declares His purpose.
His purpose is revelation.
His purpose is that people might know Him.
His purpose is to reveal His glory, His power, and His name.
This same purpose continues throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The bowls of Revelation are not isolated acts of wrath disconnected from God’s eternal purpose. They reveal Jesus Christ. They expose everything that opposes His kingdom while progressively accomplishing the Father’s purpose in creation.
God is always revealing Himself.
God is always revealing His Son.
God is always working toward the fulfillment of His eternal purpose.
Preparing Our Hearts for Revelation 16:2
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
Why have we studied Egypt before beginning The Seven Last Plagues?
Because the Holy Spirit first teaches us the ways of God before unveiling the symbols of Revelation.
The same God who sent Moses now sends a heavenly messenger.
The same God who confronted Egypt now confronts every realm that remains in bondage.
The same Word that exposed Pharaoh now reveals Jesus Christ through the first bowl.
The same God who delivered Israel continues His work until every enemy is overcome and His eternal purpose is fulfilled.
As we now approach Revelation 16:2, we do so with prepared hearts. We have already begun to recognize the Father’s ways. We have learned that He always takes the initiative, always sends His Word, always reveals before He delivers, and always works according to His eternal purpose.
These truths prepare us to understand The Seven Last Plagues as the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ and the unfolding of the Father’s unchanging ways.
CHAPTER TWO
THE REFINER’S FIRE: Understanding God’s Purifying Work
The Refiner Sits with Purpose
Scripture
“But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…”
— Malachi 3:2–3
Teaching
As we continue preparing our hearts to understand The Seven Last Plagues, the Holy Spirit now directs our attention to another great pattern revealed in the Scriptures—the Refiner’s Fire.
Why are we studying Malachi before continuing into Revelation 15 and 16?
Because God wants us to understand His purpose before we witness His dealings.
A refiner does not kindle a fire to destroy silver. He kindles the fire because he sees value in the silver. His purpose is not destruction, but purification. He patiently removes the dross until the silver reflects his image.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues. Before the first messenger pours out the first bowl in Revelation 16:2, we must first understand the heart of the One who sends him. The same God who sits as a Refiner in Malachi is revealed again in Revelation. His purpose has not changed. His desire is to reveal His Son and progressively remove everything that hinders His people from reflecting His glory.
The Fire Reveals What Is Hidden
Scripture
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Peter 1:7
Teaching
Fire does not create the impurity.
Fire reveals it.
The dross was already present before the fire was applied.
The fire simply brings it to the surface so it can be removed.
This same principle prepares us for The Seven Last Plagues.
When the revelation of Jesus Christ is poured into the earth realm, truth exposes what has been hidden. The first bowl does not create the condition found in the earth. It reveals the condition already present. The revelation of Christ brings everything into the light so that the Father’s work of purification may continue.
Judgment Begins at the House of God
Scripture
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…”
— 1 Peter 4:17
Teaching
Throughout Scripture, God always begins His work with His own people.
He prepares.
He teaches.
He disciplines.
He matures.
This is the loving work of a faithful Father.
As we study The Seven Last Plagues, we must never lose sight of this truth. The Father’s dealings always move toward maturity. His purpose is to conform His people to the image of His Son.
The Refiner’s Fire and the first bowl reveal the same divine operation. The symbols differ, but the purpose remains unchanged.
The Refiner Never Leaves the Furnace
Scripture
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…”
— Malachi 3:3
Teaching
The Refiner does not ignite the fire and walk away.
He remains with the silver.
He watches every stage of the process.
He knows when the work is complete.
He removes the dross only until His own reflection is seen.
This beautiful picture prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger is not acting independently. Heaven remains fully engaged in the work. The Father oversees every stage of His purpose. Every bowl is measured. Every dealing is governed by divine wisdom. Every revelation moves creation another step toward the fullness of Christ.
The Father’s Purpose Is Transformation
Scripture
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory…”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18
Teaching
The goal of God’s work has always been transformation.
The Father is not satisfied merely to forgive His people. He desires that they be changed into the likeness of His Son.
This is the thread that runs throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The revelation of Jesus Christ progressively transforms those who receive His Word. Truth reveals. Truth purifies. Truth renews. Truth matures. As Christ is revealed, His people are changed from glory to glory until they reflect His image.
Preparing Our Hearts for Revelation 16:2
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
Why has the Holy Spirit taken us to the Refiner’s Fire before opening the first bowl?
Because He wants us to understand His heart before we study His dealings.
The same Refiner revealed through Malachi now reveals His ways through The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger does not come to destroy indiscriminately. He comes bearing the revelation of Jesus Christ. As truth enters the earth realm, everything contrary to Christ is brought into the light. The Father patiently continues His work of exposing, purifying, and transforming His people until they bear the image of His Son.
The symbols have changed.
The Refiner has not.
As we now continue toward Revelation 16:2, we carry with us another witness from the full counsel of God. We have learned that the Father’s fire is governed by His love, His wisdom, and His eternal purpose. This understanding prepares our hearts to recognize His ways as the first messenger begins to pour out the first bowl of The Seven Last Plagues.
CHAPTER THREE
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART: Preparing for the Inheritance
God Always Prepares His People Before the Inheritance
Scripture
“At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.”
— Joshua 5:2
Teaching
As we continue preparing our hearts to understand The Seven Last Plagues, the Holy Spirit now brings us to another great pattern recorded for our learning—the circumcision of God’s people before they entered their inheritance.
Why did God command circumcision before Israel possessed the land?
Because God always prepares His people before bringing them into the fullness of His purpose.
This principle prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues. Before the first messenger pours out the first bowl in Revelation 16:2, we must first understand that God’s dealings are never random. The Father is always preparing His people for a greater manifestation of His purpose.
The symbols have changed.
The purpose has not.
The Knife Reveals the Father’s Purpose
Scripture
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.”
— Deuteronomy 10:16
Teaching
Circumcision was never merely about the flesh.
It pointed to a deeper work that God desired to accomplish within the heart.
The knife became a picture of God’s Word separating what belongs to the old nature from what belongs to the new.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
When the first messenger pours out the first bowl, the revelation of Jesus Christ begins exposing everything that belongs to the old Adamic order. Truth becomes the Father’s knife, revealing, separating, and removing everything that hinders His people from reflecting His Son.
The revelation of Christ always accomplishes what circumcision symbolized.
The Circumcision of the Heart
Scripture
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly… but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit…”
— Romans 2:28–29
Teaching
The New Covenant brings the symbol into its spiritual reality.
Paul teaches that the true work of God is inward.
The Father is after the heart.
He is progressively removing hardness, unbelief, carnality, and every influence of the old man until Christ is fully formed within His people.
This is one of the great preparations for understanding The Seven Last Plagues.
The bowls reveal the continuing work of God upon the heart. The revelation of Jesus Christ progressively uncovers every hidden area that still belongs to the old creation so that His people may walk in the liberty of the new.
The Living and Powerful Word
Scripture
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword… and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
— Hebrews 4:12
Teaching
God’s Word is never passive.
It searches.
It discerns.
It exposes.
It separates.
It reveals the deepest thoughts and intentions of the heart.
This prepares us beautifully for The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger does not merely pour out judgment. He pours out the revelation of Jesus Christ. As truth enters the earth realm, the living Word begins discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. What was hidden is brought into the light. What belongs to Adam is exposed. What belongs to Christ is strengthened and revealed.
The Father’s purpose is always transformation.
Putting Off the Old Man
Scripture
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man… and… put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
— Ephesians 4:22–24
Teaching
The Christian life is a progressive work of putting off the old man and putting on the new.
This is not accomplished through human effort alone but through the continual revelation of Jesus Christ working within His people.
This is the same operation revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
Every bowl progressively exposes another aspect of the old Adamic order while revealing more of Christ. As truth increases, the old loses its influence and the new becomes more clearly manifested.
The Father’s purpose is maturity.
Preparing Our Hearts for Revelation 16:2
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
Why has the Holy Spirit taken us to Joshua before opening the first bowl?
Because He wants us to understand that His dealings are always preparatory.
Before Israel entered the inheritance, God circumcised His people.
Before the revelation of Jesus Christ is progressively unfolded through The Seven Last Plagues, the Father prepares His people to receive His truth.
The first messenger comes carrying the revelation of Jesus Christ. As that truth is poured into the earth realm, it begins its faithful work of revealing, separating, circumcising, and transforming. The old Adamic nature is progressively exposed, while the new creation is progressively manifested.
The same God who prepared Israel now prepares His people through The Seven Last Plagues.
The same Word that circumcised the heart continues its work until Christ is fully formed within His people.
As we now move toward Revelation 15 and Revelation 16, we carry another witness from the full counsel of God. We have learned that the Father never brings His people into a greater inheritance without first preparing their hearts. That preparation becomes the doorway through which we begin to understand the ministry of the first messenger and the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE HEAVENLY PRIESTHOOD: Those Who Carry the Bowls
The Temple Is Opened Before the Bowls Are Poured
Scripture
“And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.”
— Revelation 15:5
Teaching
As we continue preparing our hearts to understand The Seven Last Plagues, the Holy Spirit now brings us directly to Revelation 15. Before the first messenger ever pours out the first bowl, John is first shown the heavenly temple opened.
This order is not accidental.
God always reveals heaven before He reveals His dealings in the earth.
Before truth is poured into the earth realm, heaven opens.
Before the first messenger appears, the heavenly temple is revealed.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues. Every movement of God begins in heaven. Every revelation originates with the Father. Heaven always takes the initiative before the earth experiences the operation of God’s purpose.
The Victory Before the Ministry
Scripture
“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark…”
— Revelation 15:2
Teaching
Before John sees the bowls, he first sees a victorious people.
They have overcome the beast.
They have overcome his image.
They have overcome his mark.
They stand upon the sea of glass in the presence of God.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger does not minister from bondage.
He ministers from victory.
He does not carry truth because he has merely learned doctrine.
He carries truth because he has first experienced the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Before God sends a people, He first prepares a people.
Before He commissions them, He first matures them.
The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb
Scripture
“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb…”
— Revelation 15:3
Teaching
This beautiful scene joins two great testimonies into one song.
The song of Moses reminds us of Egypt, deliverance, and the mighty acts of God.
The song of the Lamb reveals the fullness of redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ.
These are not competing songs.
They are one testimony revealing one God working one eternal purpose.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The God who delivered Israel through Moses is the same God now revealing His Son through the first messenger. The symbols have changed. The covenant has changed. But the Father’s ways remain the same.
The Heavenly Priesthood Comes Forth
Scripture
“And the seven angels came out of the temple… clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.”
— Revelation 15:6
Teaching
The first thing John notices is not the bowls.
He notices those who carry them.
They come out of the heavenly temple.
They are clothed in priestly garments.
Their clothing reveals their ministry before they ever perform it.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
These are heaven’s sent ones.
Their authority comes from heaven.
Their commission comes from heaven.
Their message comes from heaven.
They do not minister their own thoughts.
They minister the revelation of Jesus Christ entrusted to them by the Father.
Before we understand the bowls, we must first understand those who carry them.
The Bowls Are Given from the Throne
Scripture
“And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God…”
— Revelation 15:7
Teaching
The bowls are not taken.
They are given.
Everything proceeds from the authority of God.
Nothing happens independently.
Nothing originates with man.
Everything begins with the throne.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger does not create the message.
He receives it.
He does not determine the Father’s purpose.
He fulfills it.
The revelation of Jesus Christ always proceeds from the throne before it is ministered to creation.
Preparing Our Hearts for Revelation 16:2
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
Why has the Holy Spirit shown us the heavenly temple before opening the first bowl?
Because heaven always precedes earth.
Before we study what is poured into the earth, we must understand where it came from.
Before we examine the first messenger’s ministry, we must know the One who sent him.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, God is revealing that every movement of redemption begins in heaven and proceeds according to His eternal purpose. The first messenger comes forth as part of a heavenly priesthood that has already overcome through the Lamb. Having received the revelation of Jesus Christ from the throne, he now ministers that revelation into the earth realm.
The same God who sent Moses now sends His heavenly priesthood.
The same God who once delivered Israel now continues His work through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As we now approach Revelation 16:2, our hearts have been prepared to recognize not merely a messenger with a bowl, but the Father’s heavenly administration unfolding His eternal purpose through The Seven Last Plagues.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE FIRST MESSENGER: Heaven Takes the Initiative
The First Messenger
Scripture
“And the first went…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
Having prepared our hearts through the full counsel of God, we now arrive at the first messenger of The Seven Last Plagues. The Holy Spirit begins with a simple but profound statement: “And the first went.”
John’s attention is immediately directed to the messenger before he describes the bowl.
This is not accidental.
God first reveals the servant before revealing the service.
The messenger before the message.
The vessel before the ministry.
This teaches us an important principle. God always prepares a people before He sends a people. Throughout Scripture, every divine work begins with God calling, preparing, and sending those who will carry His Word.
Moses was sent to Egypt.
The prophets were sent to Israel.
The apostles were sent into the world.
Now, in The Seven Last Plagues, the first messenger proceeds from the heavenly temple, carrying the revelation of Jesus Christ into the earth realm.
The symbols have changed.
The Sender has not.
Heaven Always Takes the Initiative
Scripture
“The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.”
— Revelation 15:5
Teaching
Before the first messenger ever went forth, heaven had already moved.
The temple was opened.
The priesthood came forth.
The bowls were given.
Only then did the first messenger go.
This reveals one of the Father’s unchanging ways.
Heaven always takes the initiative.
Man never begins redemption.
God begins redemption.
Man never initiates revelation.
God reveals His Son.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, every movement begins in heaven before it is manifested in the earth. Revelation is always descending from above. The Father always moves first.
The Messenger Is Sent Under Divine Authority
Scripture
“As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
— John 20:21
Teaching
Throughout the Scriptures, every true messenger is sent.
No one sends himself.
No one appoints himself.
The authority of the messenger rests in the One who commissions him.
The first messenger of The Seven Last Plagues does not minister his own thoughts or opinions. He ministers what has been entrusted to him from the throne of God.
His authority is not earthly.
His authority is heavenly.
His ministry reveals the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Father is still sending His Word into the world.
The Bowl Is Given Before It Is Poured
Scripture
“And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls…”
— Revelation 15:7
Teaching
Before the bowl is poured out, it is first received.
Nothing originates with the messenger.
Everything originates with God.
The bowl represents that which heaven has entrusted to those who have overcome through the Lamb.
The messenger carries what has first been given.
This prepares us to understand the first bowl.
What is poured into the earth is not human knowledge.
It is not religious tradition.
It is not the wisdom of this world.
It is the revelation of Jesus Christ proceeding from the throne of God.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, heaven is progressively unveiling Christ through those whom He has sent.
The First Messenger Reveals Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…”
— Revelation 1:1
Teaching
Everything in Revelation ultimately serves one purpose—to reveal Jesus Christ.
The first messenger is no exception.
He is not the focus.
Christ is the focus.
The bowl is not the focus.
Christ is the focus.
The plagues are not the focus.
Christ is the focus.
The messenger simply becomes the vessel through whom the revelation of Jesus Christ is progressively poured into the earth realm.
Where Christ appears, truth appears.
Where truth appears, darkness is exposed.
Where darkness is exposed, transformation begins.
This is the operation of God revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
Preparing for the First Bowl
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
We are now standing at the threshold of the first bowl.
Before we ask what was poured out…
Before we ask why it was poured into the earth…
Before we ask about the grievous sore…
The Holy Spirit has first taught us to recognize the Father’s ways.
God prepares His messenger.
God opens heaven.
God commissions His servant.
God entrusts His revelation.
Then the messenger goes.
This is the order of heaven.
As we continue into The Seven Last Plagues, we will now begin examining the contents of the bowl itself. We will discover that what proceeds from heaven is the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ. As truth enters the earth realm, it begins revealing, exposing, separating, purifying, and transforming according to the Father’s eternal purpose.
The first messenger does not merely announce God’s work.
He becomes the instrument through whom heaven takes the initiative, revealing the ways of God through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER SIX
THE FIRST BOWL: The Revelation of Jesus Christ Is Poured Out
The First Bowl Is Poured Out
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
The first messenger has now received his commission.
The heavenly temple has been opened.
The bowls have been given.
The priestly company has come forth.
Now the first messenger begins his ministry.
John simply says,
“…and poured out his bowl upon the earth.”
The emphasis immediately shifts from the messenger to what he carries.
Before we ask what happened in the earth, we must first ask a more important question.
What is contained within the bowl?
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, heaven never pours out confusion.
Heaven pours out truth.
The bowl proceeds from the throne of God and contains the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ. The messenger is not carrying human doctrine or religious tradition. He carries the Father’s revelation, given through Jesus Christ, to accomplish His eternal purpose.
The Bowl Reveals Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…”
— Revelation 1:1
Teaching
The Book of Revelation tells us from its opening words what it is about.
It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Every vision…
Every messenger…
Every trumpet…
Every bowl…
Every symbol…
Ultimately reveals Him.
Therefore, when the first messenger pours out his bowl, we should understand that the revelation of Jesus Christ is now entering another realm.
Christ is appearing.
Truth is appearing.
Light is appearing.
The Father is revealing His Son.
This is the beginning of the operation revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
Truth Always Comes from Heaven
Scripture
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
— John 17:17
Teaching
Truth always proceeds from God.
The Father sends His Word.
The Son reveals the Father.
The Holy Spirit makes that revelation living within His people.
The bowl therefore becomes a beautiful picture of heaven pouring truth into the earth.
The revelation of Jesus Christ does not remain hidden within heaven.
It is sent.
It is ministered.
It is poured out.
This prepares us to understand why the first bowl is poured into the earth realm. Heaven is not reacting to earth. Heaven is taking the initiative to reveal Christ where transformation is still needed.
The Word Accomplishes the Father’s Purpose
Scripture
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void…”
— Isaiah 55:11
Teaching
Whenever God sends His Word, it accomplishes His purpose.
It never returns empty.
It reveals.
It exposes.
It separates.
It purifies.
It heals.
It delivers.
It transforms.
This is exactly what we begin witnessing throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The bowl is not passive.
It is the active operation of God’s living Word accomplishing His eternal purpose within the earth realm.
The Progressive Revelation of Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
— Proverbs 4:18
Teaching
God rarely reveals everything at once.
He reveals progressively.
Light increases.
Understanding grows.
Faith matures.
Christ is revealed from glory to glory.
This same progression governs The Seven Last Plagues.
There are seven bowls because the Father is revealing His work progressively. Each bowl advances His purpose. Each revelation carries creation another step toward the fullness of Christ.
The Father’s work is orderly.
His revelation is progressive.
His purpose is perfect.
Preparing for the Earth Realm
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
The bowl has now been poured.
Truth has now been released.
The revelation of Jesus Christ has begun its work.
The next question naturally follows.
Why was the bowl poured into the earth?
Why not heaven?
Why not the sea?
Why does the first messenger begin with the earth?
The answer opens one of the great revelations of The Seven Last Plagues.
The earth is more than a location.
It reveals a state of being.
It is the realm where truth confronts mixture.
It is the realm where the Father progressively reveals His Son until His people are brought into maturity.
That is where we now turn our attention.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE EARTH REALM: Where Truth Enters Mixture
Why the Earth?
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
As we continue our study of The Seven Last Plagues, we now arrive at one of the most important questions in Revelation 16:2.
Why did the first messenger pour the bowl into the earth?
Why not heaven?
Why not the sea?
The Holy Spirit is not careless with words. Every realm revealed throughout the Book of Revelation has meaning. Heaven, earth, and sea are not merely geographical locations. They reveal different realms or states of being through which God progressively accomplishes His eternal purpose.
The first bowl is poured into the earth because this is the realm where truth must confront mixture. It is the realm where God’s people know Him, yet have not fully entered into the maturity of Christ. It is the realm where the revelation of Jesus Christ progressively separates truth from error, spirit from flesh, and the new creation from the old.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, we will discover that the Father always sends His revelation into the realm that still requires transformation.
The Earth Realm Is a Realm of Mixture
Scripture
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
— James 1:8
Teaching
James gives us one of the clearest descriptions of the earth realm.
A double-minded man lives in mixture.
He desires the things of God while still thinking according to the wisdom of the natural man.
He believes, yet doubts.
He hears truth, yet struggles to walk in it.
This is not the description of heaven.
Neither is it the description of complete darkness.
It is the in-between realm.
The realm of mixture.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues. The first messenger pours the revelation of Jesus Christ into this realm because God’s purpose is to remove the double mind and establish the mind of Christ.
The Carnal Mind and the Spiritual Mind
Scripture
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
— Romans 8:5–6
Teaching
Paul reveals two different minds.
The mind of the flesh.
The mind of the Spirit.
The earth realm is where these two ways of thinking are brought into conflict.
Here believers are learning to put off the old man and put on the new.
Here the revelation of Jesus Christ continually renews the mind.
This is why the first bowl is poured into the earth.
Truth enters the realm where transformation is still taking place.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, the Father is progressively replacing the carnal mind with the mind of Christ.
From Carnality to Maturity
Scripture
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal…”
— 1 Corinthians 3:1–3
Teaching
Paul is not writing to unbelievers.
He is writing to believers.
Yet he describes them as carnal because spiritual growth was still needed.
This passage beautifully prepares us for The Seven Last Plagues.
The earth realm is not merely the world outside the church.
It also describes believers who are still growing into spiritual maturity.
The Father does not abandon them.
He teaches them.
He disciplines them.
He reveals His Son to them.
The first messenger pours truth into this realm because this is where growth is taking place.
Growing into the Fullness of Christ
Scripture
“Till we all come… unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:13
Teaching
God’s purpose has never been simply to bring His people into salvation.
His purpose is maturity.
The earth realm is therefore a transitional realm.
It is where believers are being renewed, transformed, and established in Christ.
The revelation of Jesus Christ continually calls His people upward until they attain the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
This is the beautiful operation revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The bowls reveal God’s progressive work of bringing His people from mixture into maturity.
The Heavenly Contrast
Scripture
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand…”
— Revelation 14:1
Teaching
Before the first bowl is poured into the earth, Revelation has already shown us another company.
They stand with the Lamb upon Mount Zion.
They bear the Father’s name.
They have overcome.
Their state of being stands in sharp contrast to those who remain in the earth under the influence of the beast and his image.
This contrast is essential to understanding The Seven Last Plagues.
The bowls are not poured into heaven because the heavenly company has already been prepared.
The first messenger is sent into the earth because this is where God’s transforming work is now directed.
Heaven ministers to earth until earth is brought into harmony with the Father’s eternal purpose.
Preparing for the Grievous Sore
Scripture
“And there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
We are now ready to understand the next phrase of Revelation 16:2.
The first messenger has come.
The bowl has been poured.
Truth has entered the earth realm.
Now truth begins its work.
The revelation of Jesus Christ exposes everything that still belongs to the old Adamic order. The grievous sore is not presented apart from the appearing of truth. It is the manifestation of truth confronting mixture, revealing what has remained hidden, and beginning the Father’s work of separation and transformation.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, the Father’s purpose remains unchanged. He reveals His Son, exposes everything contrary to Christ, and progressively brings His people from the realm of mixture into the fullness of His eternal purpose.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE NOISOME AND GRIEVOUS SORE: What Happens When the Lord Appears
The Result of the First Bowl
Scripture
“And there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
Having prepared our hearts through the full counsel of God, we now arrive at the result of the first bowl.
The first messenger has gone forth.
The bowl has been poured into the earth.
The revelation of Jesus Christ has entered the realm of mixture.
Now something happens.
A grievous sore appears.
Notice carefully what John does not say.
He does not say the messenger created the condition.
He says that when the bowl was poured out, the condition was revealed.
Truth has entered the earth realm, and everything contrary to Christ is brought into the light.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues. The revelation of Jesus Christ always reveals what has been hidden before it removes it.
Truth Reveals Before It Removes
Scripture
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light… But he that doeth truth cometh to the light.”
— John 3:20–21
Teaching
Throughout Scripture, light always reveals before it transforms.
Darkness is not created by the light.
Darkness is exposed by the light.
The same principle governs The Seven Last Plagues.
When the revelation of Jesus Christ enters the earth realm, it uncovers everything that belongs to the old Adamic order. The grievous sore becomes a visible manifestation of what truth has exposed.
The Father’s purpose is never merely exposure.
His purpose is healing.
His purpose is restoration.
His purpose is transformation.
The Word Discerns the Heart
Scripture
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful… and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
— Hebrews 4:12
Teaching
The living Word always works inward before it works outward.
It searches.
It discerns.
It exposes.
It separates.
The revelation of Jesus Christ reaches beyond outward conduct and uncovers the hidden condition of the heart.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The first bowl is not merely revealing outward actions.
It is exposing the inward influence of the beast, the image, and the mark. Truth reaches the deepest places of the heart because the Father desires complete transformation.
The Refiner Reveals the Dross
Scripture
“He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
— Malachi 3:3
Teaching
The Refiner’s fire does not create impurity.
It reveals it.
The dross was already present.
The fire simply brings it to the surface where it can be removed.
The grievous sore reveals the same operation.
The revelation of Jesus Christ uncovers everything that still belongs to the old creation. What was hidden beneath the surface now becomes visible because truth has appeared.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, the Father continues His faithful work of refining His people until they reflect the image of His Son.
Egypt Reveals the Pattern
Scripture
“And it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.”
— Exodus 9:10
Teaching
The Holy Spirit has already prepared us through Egypt.
When Moses brought the Word of God before Pharaoh, boils appeared throughout the land.
The Word did not create Egypt’s rebellion.
The Word revealed the true condition of Egypt.
The same pattern now appears in The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger carries the revelation of Jesus Christ into the earth realm. Truth exposes what has long remained hidden. The same God who revealed the condition of Egypt now reveals the condition of the old Adamic order.
The symbols have changed.
The operation has not.
The Purpose of the Father’s Dealings
Scripture
“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…”
— Hebrews 12:6
Teaching
Every dealing of God is governed by His love.
The Father never disciplines without purpose.
He never exposes without intending to heal.
He never reveals darkness without intending to bring His people into light.
This is the heart behind The Seven Last Plagues.
The grievous sore is not the end of the story.
It is the beginning of transformation.
The revelation of Jesus Christ exposes the old so that the new may be fully manifested.
Preparing for the Mark and the Image
Scripture
“And there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
The Holy Spirit now directs our attention to those upon whom the sore appears.
It does not fall indiscriminately.
John specifically identifies those who remain under the influence of the beast and those who worship his image.
This distinction is vital to understanding The Seven Last Plagues.
The next question naturally follows.
What is the mark?
What is the image?
Why are these men still under their influence while the overcomers stand with the Lamb upon Mount Zion?
The answer to these questions will further reveal the Father’s ways as we continue following the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ through the first bowl.
CHAPTER NINE
THE MARK OF THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE: Identifying the Old Adamic Order
Those Upon Whom the First Bowl Falls
Scripture
“And there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
As we continue our study of The Seven Last Plagues, the Holy Spirit now identifies those upon whom the first bowl accomplishes its work.
The first messenger does not pour the bowl upon everyone indiscriminately.
John is very specific.
The revelation of Jesus Christ enters the earth realm and exposes those who remain under the influence of the beast and those who continue to worship his image.
This distinction is essential.
The first bowl reveals the condition of those who still remain under the influence of the old Adamic order.
The revelation of Jesus Christ always identifies the condition before revealing the cure.
The Mark Reveals an Influence
Scripture
“And he causeth all… to receive a mark…”
— Revelation 13:16
Teaching
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, the mark identifies a realm of influence.
Before truth sets men free, truth first reveals what has been ruling their thoughts, affections, and actions.
The first bowl begins exposing every influence that does not proceed from the mind of Christ.
The revelation of Jesus Christ uncovers the old nature so that the new creation may be fully revealed.
The Father always exposes what He intends to overcome.
The Image Reveals the Old Nature
Scripture
“And have put on the new man… after the image of him that created him.”
— Colossians 3:10
Teaching
Scripture continually contrasts two images.
The image of the old creation.
The image of Christ.
The Father’s eternal purpose is to conform His people to the image of His Son.
Therefore, throughout The Seven Last Plagues, everything that still reflects the old Adamic image is progressively brought into the light by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Truth never leaves mixture hidden.
Truth reveals it.
The Contrast of Mount Zion
Scripture
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
— Revelation 14:1
Teaching
Before the first bowl is poured out, John has already revealed another company.
They stand with the Lamb.
They bear the Father’s name.
They have overcome.
This heavenly company stands in direct contrast to those who remain under the influence of the beast and his image.
This contrast prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The first bowl is not poured upon Mount Zion.
It is poured into the earth realm.
The heavenly company has already been prepared.
The first messenger now ministers to those who still require transformation.
Heaven ministers to earth.
The mature minister to those still growing.
The firstfruits minister to the harvest.
Delivered Out from Among Men
Scripture
“These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”
— Revelation 14:4
Teaching
The firstfruits reveal another state of being.
John does not present them as remaining under the influence of the beast.
He reveals them standing with the Lamb.
They have been delivered from the realm that the first bowl now visits.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The Father always brings forth a firstfruits company before extending the same grace to the harvest.
The overcomers do not stand with the Lamb merely to celebrate their own victory.
They stand prepared to participate in the Father’s continuing work until His purpose is fulfilled throughout creation.
The Father’s Purpose Is Maturity
Scripture
“Till we all come… unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:13
Teaching
Throughout Scripture, God works progressively.
Seed.
Blade.
Ear.
Full ear.
Child.
Young man.
Father.
Firstfruits.
Harvest.
This same progression is revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The first bowl reveals a people still under the influence of mixture while simultaneously revealing another company who have entered a greater measure of maturity.
The distinction is not made to exalt one above another.
It reveals the Father’s order.
He always brings forth firstfruits before gathering the harvest.
Preparing for the Ways of God Revealed Through the First Bowl
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
We have now followed the first messenger into the earth realm.
We have seen the revelation of Jesus Christ poured out.
We have seen truth expose the grievous sore.
We have identified those who remain under the influence of the beast and his image.
We have also seen the beautiful contrast of those standing with the Lamb upon Mount Zion.
Now another question naturally arises.
Why does God work this way?
Why does He first bring forth overcomers before extending His ministry to the earth?
The answer reveals one of the greatest themes running throughout The Seven Last Plagues—the unchanging ways of God. The same Father who brought Israel out before leading the nations, who established firstfruits before the harvest, and who prepared a heavenly priesthood before sending the first messenger, is still working according to His eternal order.
The symbols continue to unfold.
The Father’s ways remain the same.
CHAPTER TEN
THE WAYS OF GOD REVEALED THROUGH THE FIRST BOWL
God Does Not Change His Ways
Scripture
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
— Hebrews 13:8
Teaching
As we have journeyed through The Seven Last Plagues, one great truth has continually emerged.
God does not change His ways.
The symbols change.
The covenants change.
The generations change.
The messengers change.
But the Father Himself never changes.
The same God who walked with Adam, called Abraham, sent Moses, refined Israel, spoke through the prophets, revealed His Son, and poured out His Spirit is the same God now revealing His purpose through the first bowl of Revelation 16:2.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, we are not discovering a new God.
We are seeing the same God working according to His eternal purpose.
God Always Takes the Initiative
Scripture
“We love him, because he first loved us.”
— 1 John 4:19
Teaching
Every work of redemption begins with God.
He calls.
He sends.
He reveals.
He pursues.
Throughout Scripture, heaven always takes the initiative.
This same pattern governs The Seven Last Plagues.
Before the first messenger goes…
The temple opens.
The priesthood comes forth.
The bowls are given.
Then the messenger is sent.
God always moves first.
God Always Sends His Word
Scripture
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
— Psalm 107:20
Teaching
The Father’s answer has always been His Word.
He sent His Word through Moses.
He sent His Word through the prophets.
He sent His living Word in His Son.
He continues sending the revelation of Jesus Christ through those whom He has prepared and commissioned.
This is the beautiful operation revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger does not carry destruction.
He carries the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As truth is poured into the earth realm, healing begins.
Deliverance begins.
Transformation begins.
The Father’s Word accomplishes what He has purposed.
Truth Reveals Before It Delivers
Scripture
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:32
Teaching
Freedom always follows revelation.
Before bondage can be broken…
It must be exposed.
Before darkness can be removed…
Light must appear.
The revelation of Jesus Christ always reveals before it delivers.
This prepares us to understand The Seven Last Plagues.
The grievous sore is not the end of God’s work.
It is evidence that truth has entered the earth realm and begun exposing everything contrary to Christ.
The Father’s purpose is liberty.
God Progressively Brings His People to Maturity
Scripture
“The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
— Proverbs 4:18
Teaching
God works progressively.
Seed.
Blade.
Ear.
Full corn in the ear.
Children.
Young men.
Fathers.
Firstfruits.
Harvest.
This same progression governs The Seven Last Plagues.
The bowls are not disconnected acts.
They are the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ, leading His people from mixture into maturity and from the old Adamic order into the fullness of His eternal purpose.
The Father never abandons His work.
He faithfully completes what He begins.
The Same Operation from Genesis to Revelation
Scripture
“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”
— Acts 15:18
Teaching
When we look back through the full counsel of God, we begin seeing one unbroken thread.
Egypt prepared us.
The Refiner’s Fire prepared us.
Circumcision prepared us.
The heavenly priesthood prepared us.
The first messenger prepared us.
The first bowl prepared us.
The earth realm prepared us.
The grievous sore prepared us.
The mark and the image prepared us.
Each witness has revealed the same Father accomplishing the same eternal purpose.
This is why we have studied the Scriptures this way throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
Every example has pointed us back to Revelation 16:2.
Every witness has prepared our hearts to recognize the Father’s ways.
The First Bowl Becomes the Pattern
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth…”
— Revelation 16:2
Teaching
We now stand where the Holy Spirit intended us to stand.
The first bowl has become more than the first judgment.
It has become the first revelation of the Father’s operation.
We have watched heaven take the initiative.
We have seen the heavenly priesthood sent.
We have seen the revelation of Jesus Christ poured into the earth realm.
We have watched truth expose mixture.
We have seen the distinction between those still under the influence of the beast and those standing with the Lamb upon Mount Zion.
The Father’s ways have become visible.
Now we are prepared to understand the remaining bowls of The Seven Last Plagues.
They do not reveal another God.
They do not reveal another purpose.
They simply continue the same divine operation until every enemy is overcome, Christ is fully revealed, and the Father’s eternal purpose is fulfilled.
The first messenger has taught us how to read the rest of the Revelation.
Having learned the Father’s ways, we are now prepared to follow the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ through every remaining bowl until the glorious conclusion of God’s eternal purpose.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE REMAINING SIX BOWLS: The Progressive Revelation of Jesus Christ
The Father’s Work Continues
Scripture
“And the second angel poured out his bowl… And the third… And the fourth… And the fifth… And the sixth… And the seventh…”
— Revelation 16:3–17
Teaching
As we conclude our study of The Seven Last Plagues, we now look beyond the first bowl to the remaining six.
At first glance, each bowl appears different.
Different symbols.
Different realms.
Different manifestations.
Yet, having followed the first messenger, we now recognize something far greater.
The Father never changes His operation.
Every bowl reveals another stage in the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ.
Every bowl continues the same divine work.
Every bowl advances the Father’s eternal purpose.
The first bowl has taught us how to read the remaining six.
The Same Messenger, the Same Word
Scripture
“The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
— John 6:63
Teaching
The symbols change.
The revelation does not.
Each messenger continues ministering the same Christ.
Each bowl continues pouring out the same heavenly truth.
Each revelation continues exposing everything that belongs to the old creation.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, heaven is not sending different messages.
Heaven is progressively unveiling one revelation—the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Father’s Word remains consistent from beginning to end.
The Same Father, the Same Purpose
Scripture
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things…”
— Romans 11:36
Teaching
From Genesis to Revelation, the Father has pursued one eternal purpose.
He reveals.
He exposes.
He separates.
He purifies.
He delivers.
He restores.
He establishes His Kingdom.
This same operation governs The Seven Last Plagues.
Every bowl reveals another dimension of the Father’s faithfulness until His purpose is fully accomplished.
Nothing is accidental.
Nothing is wasted.
Everything moves toward Christ.
The Progressive Defeat of the Old Adamic Order
Scripture
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:26
Teaching
The remaining bowls continue revealing the gradual overthrow of everything belonging to the old creation.
The beast.
The image.
The mark.
Babylon.
Death itself.
The Father progressively removes every enemy until nothing remains that opposes His Son.
This is the glorious hope revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
God is not merely judging.
He is completing His eternal purpose.
The Firstfruits and the Harvest
Scripture
“Every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:23
Teaching
Throughout this study, we have seen the beautiful distinction between the firstfruits and the harvest.
The firstfruits stand with the Lamb upon Mount Zion.
The heavenly priesthood comes forth from the temple.
The sent ones carry the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Now the same grace that first matured them continues flowing outward until the harvest is gathered.
This is one of the great themes of The Seven Last Plagues.
The overcomers do not stand with Christ merely for themselves.
They participate in the Father’s continuing ministry until creation itself is brought into liberty.
God All in All
Scripture
“That God may be all in all.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:28
Teaching
The final goal of The Seven Last Plagues is not simply the completion of seven bowls.
It is the fulfillment of the Father’s eternal purpose.
Everything revealed throughout Revelation moves toward this glorious conclusion.
Jesus Christ is fully revealed.
Every enemy is overcome.
The old Adamic order passes away.
The Kingdom is fully established.
The Father’s purpose stands complete.
What began with the first messenger pouring the revelation of Jesus Christ into the earth continues until every realm reflects His glory.
The same God who sent Moses…
The same God who refined His people…
The same God who circumcised the heart…
The same God who opened the heavenly temple…
The same God who sent the first messenger…
Continues His faithful work until the whole creation is brought into the liberty of the sons of God.
This is the hope revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
This is the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ.
This is the Father’s unchanging way.
And this is the glorious purpose toward which all Scripture has been pointing from Genesis to Revelation.
CONCLUSION
GOD ALL IN ALL: The Eternal Purpose Revealed Through The Seven Last Plagues
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…”
— Revelation 1:1
Teaching
As we conclude our study of The Seven Last Plagues, we return to the first truth revealed in the Book of Revelation.
This book is not primarily the revelation of plagues.
It is not primarily the revelation of judgments.
It is not primarily the revelation of beasts, bowls, trumpets, or seals.
It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Every messenger reveals Him.
Every bowl reveals Him.
Every dealing reveals Him.
Every symbol points to Him.
Throughout The Seven Last Plagues, the Father has progressively unveiled His Son and revealed His unchanging ways through every stage of His eternal purpose.
The Father’s Ways Never Change
Scripture
“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”
— Acts 15:18
Teaching
From Genesis to Revelation, we have witnessed one unbroken testimony.
The same God who walked in the garden…
The same God who called Abraham…
The same God who sent Moses…
The same God who refined Israel…
The same God who revealed His Son…
Now reveals His ways through The Seven Last Plagues.
The symbols have changed.
The covenants have changed.
The administrations have changed.
But the Father’s purpose has never changed.
He reveals.
He exposes.
He separates.
He purifies.
He delivers.
He matures.
He establishes His Kingdom.
These are the ways of God.
The Firstfruits and the Harvest
Scripture
“Every man in his own order…”
— 1 Corinthians 15:23
Teaching
Throughout this study we have seen the beautiful order of God.
Firstfruits.
Then the harvest.
The overcomers stand with the Lamb.
The heavenly priesthood comes forth from the temple.
The first messenger is sent.
The revelation of Jesus Christ is poured into the earth.
The Father always prepares a people before extending that same grace to the nations.
The firstfruits are not separated because God loves them more.
They are prepared first so they may faithfully minister the same life they have freely received.
This is the spirit of the heavenly priesthood revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The Progressive Victory of Christ
Scripture
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:26
Teaching
The work revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues is progressive.
The revelation of Jesus Christ continues moving forward.
Every bowl reveals another step.
Every revelation uncovers another layer.
Every appearance of truth advances the Father’s purpose.
Until finally…
The last enemy is destroyed.
Nothing remains that opposes Christ.
Everything finds its fulfillment in Him.
The Father’s work is complete.
God All in All
Scripture
“And when all things shall be subdued unto him… that God may be all in all.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:28
Teaching
This has always been the destination.
Not merely the completion of seven bowls.
Not merely the overthrow of Babylon.
Not merely the defeat of the beast.
The Father’s eternal purpose is far greater.
His desire is that His Son fill all things.
That every enemy be overcome.
That every realm be brought into harmony with His will.
That the whole creation be filled with His glory.
That God may be all in all.
This is the glorious hope revealed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
The first messenger begins the unveiling.
The remaining bowls continue the work.
The revelation of Jesus Christ progressively accomplishes the Father’s purpose until all things are gathered together in Christ.
A Final Exhortation
Scripture
“He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 1:6
Teaching
The message of The Seven Last Plagues is ultimately a message of hope.
The Father has not abandoned His creation.
He has not ceased working.
He continues revealing His Son.
He continues sending His Word.
He continues exposing darkness with light.
He continues circumcising the heart.
He continues refining His people.
He continues bringing His children from mixture into maturity.
The same Lord who sent the first messenger is still revealing Jesus Christ today.
Therefore, let us embrace His truth.
Let us receive His dealings.
Let us follow His ways.
Let us grow from glory to glory.
And let us rejoice in the confidence that the God who began His work will faithfully complete it until every enemy is overcome, every promise is fulfilled, every purpose is accomplished, and the whole creation joyfully confesses the glory of Jesus Christ.
For this is the Father’s eternal purpose.
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ.
This is the hope proclaimed throughout The Seven Last Plagues.
And this is the glorious day toward which all Scripture has been pointing from Genesis to Revelation.
THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES: Revelation 16:2 — How the First Messenger Reveals the Ways of God
Scripture References
Introduction
Why Revelation 16:2?
- Revelation 1:1
- Revelation 15:1–8
- Revelation 16:1–2
- Romans 15:4
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Luke 24:27
- John 5:39
Chapter One
Egypt and the Ten Plagues: Learning the Ways of God
- Exodus 3:7–10
- Exodus 4:10–17
- Exodus 7:1–7
- Exodus 7–12
- Exodus 9:14–16
- Psalm 105
- Psalm 106
- Romans 15:4
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Hebrews 3:7–19
Chapter Two
The Refiner’s Fire: Understanding God’s Purifying Work
- Malachi 3:1–4
- Zechariah 13:9
- Isaiah 48:10
- Proverbs 17:3
- 1 Peter 1:6–9
- 1 Peter 4:12–17
- Hebrews 12:5–11
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
Chapter Three
Circumcision of the Heart: Preparing for the Inheritance
- Joshua 5:1–9
- Deuteronomy 10:16
- Deuteronomy 30:6
- Jeremiah 4:4
- Romans 2:28–29
- Colossians 2:11–15
- Hebrews 4:12
- Ephesians 4:22–24
Chapter Four
The Heavenly Priesthood: Those Who Carry the Bowls
- Revelation 15:1–8
- Revelation 5:9–10
- Revelation 14:1–5
- Hebrews 7:11–28
- Hebrews 8:1–6
- 1 Peter 2:5–9
- Exodus 28:1–4
Chapter Five
The First Messenger: Heaven Takes the Initiative
- Revelation 15:5–8
- Revelation 16:2
- Revelation 1:1–3
- John 20:21
- Isaiah 6:1–8
- Romans 10:14–15
- Hebrews 1:1–3
Chapter Six
The First Bowl: The Revelation of Jesus Christ Is Poured Out
- Revelation 16:2
- Revelation 1:1
- John 17:17
- Isaiah 55:10–11
- Psalm 107:20
- Proverbs 4:18
- Hebrews 4:12
Chapter Seven
The Earth Realm: Where Truth Enters Mixture
- Revelation 16:2
- Revelation 12:12
- James 1:8
- Romans 8:5–8
- 1 Corinthians 3:1–3
- Galatians 5:16–17
- Ephesians 4:13–24
- Hebrews 5:12–14
- Revelation 14:1–5
Chapter Eight
The Noisome and Grievous Sore: What Happens When the Lord Appears
- Revelation 16:2
- John 3:19–21
- Hebrews 4:12
- Malachi 3:2–3
- Exodus 9:8–12
- Hebrews 12:6–11
- John 8:32
Chapter Nine
The Mark of the Beast and His Image: Identifying the Old Adamic Order
- Revelation 13:11–18
- Revelation 14:1–5
- Revelation 16:2
- Colossians 3:9–10
- Romans 8:29
- Ephesians 4:13
- 1 Corinthians 15:45–49
- 1 Corinthians 15:23
Chapter Ten
The Ways of God Revealed Through the First Bowl
- Revelation 16:2
- Hebrews 13:8
- Psalm 107:20
- John 8:32
- Proverbs 4:18
- Acts 15:18
- Romans 11:33–36
- Ephesians 1:9–10
Chapter Eleven
The Remaining Six Bowls: The Progressive Revelation of Jesus Christ
- Revelation 16:3–21
- John 6:63
- Romans 11:36
- 1 Corinthians 15:23–28
- Romans 8:19–23
- Ephesians 1:10
- Colossians 1:16–20
- Revelation 21:1–5
Conclusion
God All in All: The Eternal Purpose Revealed Through The Seven Last Plagues
- Revelation 1:1
- Acts 15:18
- 1 Corinthians 15:22–28
- Philippians 1:6
- Colossians 1:16–20
- Ephesians 1:9–10
- Romans 8:19–23
- Revelation 21:1–5
- Revelation 22:1–5
The Seven Last Plagues Series
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