This post is the conclusion of the 6-part examination of Sacred Scripture for indications that God does sometimes send plague or famine to call our attention to His Teaching, and to protect our souls. What provoked this series of posts was prominent members of the Catholic Hierarchy’s denying that plague may be sent by God. Since we began with Part I in early May, the incidence of such “plague denial” seems to have ebbed. Nevertheless, the prophecy of the Book of Revelation is an entirely different genre, and would be worth completing the project if only for that reason.
Revelation (aka The Apocalypse) is admittedly a difficult book, yet deeply and widely of interest. And it has been given to us for a reason. Are we seeing signs of the end-times in current events? How would we recognize a fulfillment if it occurred? I hope in a future post to link Jesus’ own answers to the Apostles’ end-times questions to what we are seeing today. But first, let’s complete the inventory of the 13 plague and/or famine references in the John the Evangelist’s Book of Revelation.
“And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him; and they were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.”
“By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulphur issuing from their mouths.”
“.”The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot either see or hear or walk;”
“They have power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.”
“Then I saw another portent in heaven, great and wonderful, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended.”
“… and out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, robed in pure bright linen, and their breasts girded with golden girdles.”
“…and the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were ended.”
“… men were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give Him glory.”
“… and great hailstones, heavy as a hundred-weight, dropped on men from heaven, till men cursed God for the plague of the hail, so fearful was that plague.”
“Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;”
“… so shall her plagues come in a single day, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she shall be burned with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”
“Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
“I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
Preparing to Study Revelation:
Those who are interested in understanding Revelation more deeply have several options, some of which are obvious. Get a good bible with extensive footnotes which explains some of the symbolism used; and read one or more study texts that deep dives into particular subjects. This won’t give all the answers, but will make us a bit more comfortable regarding much that is recounted in Revelation, and in moving around among the chapters.
But also notice there is something in Revelation which is not in any other biblical book. Chapter 1:3: “Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written therein; for the time is near.” If John believed the time was near more than 1900 years ago, how much nearer the time is today! We are invited to read aloud, and to ‘hear.’ It would seem to make sense, in seriously studying Revelation, to have both read the book aloud, as to have also heard the book read aloud. One might suspect that even more will be revealed through the power of the oral words, especially if read aloud carefully by a priest from the pulpit! (Deacons were set aside to do other work in the Church, while the Apostles preached the Word of God.) Such preaching might well have been the way the early hearers of Revelation became acquainted with end-times Prophecy.
(The end of the 6 part post on plague and famine at the Hand of God.)
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