God’s Wrath vs. Satan’s Wrath – Part 2

The Difference Between the Wrath of God and the Wrath of Satan

The Great Tribulation is the wrath of Satan, not the Wrath of God. A proper understanding of these prophetic events will aid in our preparation mentally, physically and spiritually for the times just ahead.

By Dave Robbins

Editor’s Note: “God’s Wrath vs. Satan’s Wrath — Part 1” was published in the July/August edition of Endtime magazine.

The Fourth Vial

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.” (Revelation 16:8-9)

It is astonishing to me that while these men are being scorched with great heat, they are blaspheming the name of God instead of repenting. That is the wrong attitude. When we are chastised by God, we should respond with repentance instead of rebellion. It is no wonder God will be justified in punishing them.

Global Warming?

Some folks believe and teach this Fourth Vial, when men are scorched with heat, is a result of global warming.

This is a clear misconception because global warming isn’t occurring. It has been proven to be a hoax.

Although it is easy to prove this, I do not have the space in this article to provide in-depth evidence for this statement.

However, I will provide this one proof — Greenland. The Norse Vikings arrived in Greenland around 980 A.D. and were able to farm the land. However, due to a rapidly cooling climate they were forced to leave and by the mid-15th century their settlements were abandoned.

Currently 80% of Greenland is covered in ice which means that it was much warmer when the Vikings were there than it is today.

Did the Vikings have coal burning power plants? No! Did they drive large SUVs? No! Yet the global warming alarmists say these are the causes for global warming and must be abolished.

The global warming/climate change hoax is the United Nations’ propaganda used to redistribute the wealth of the world and to control the populace. Global warming has not occurred in at least the last 14 years.

The fact is, God has always controlled the thermostat and will continue to do so for at least the next 1,000 years.

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

During the Fourth Vial when men are scorched by the sun, it will be a sovereign act of God — not mankind.

The Fifth Vial

“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” (Revelation 16:10-11)

This Fifth Vial is poured out on the seat of the beast.

We don’t know the geographical location of the seat of the Antichrist. Prophecy foretells the Antichrist will arise from Europe (Daniel 7:8). It is possible he may establish a residence in Jerusalem (Daniel 11:45) — possibly on the Temple Mount itself, although, we don’t know that for sure.

The passage also says this plague will be on the seat of the beast and his kingdom full of darkness.

This is not a new thing. Do you remember the plague of darkness during the time of Moses — back in Egypt? They were afflicted with darkness for three days.

The Plagues and the Vials

Considering that analogy, I think this is a good place to analyze the comparison of the Vials in Revelation to the plagues of Egypt in Exodus:

First Vial: Grievous sores — Plagues of Egypt: Boils with blains (Exodus 9:9-10)

Second and Third Vials: Sea, river and fountains became as blood — Plagues of Egypt: Water turned to blood (Exodus 7:17-18)

Fourth Vial: Men were scorched with great heat. This did not happen during the time of Moses.

Fifth Vial: Kingdom of the beast (Antichrist) full of darkness — Plagues of Egypt: Great darkness (Exodus 10:21-22)

Sixth Vial: Euphrates River is dried up. This did not happen in the time of Moses, but it will certainly happen in the future.

Seventh Vial: Great hail — Plagues of Egypt: Great hail (Exodus 9:18)

A quick study of the correlation between the plagues of Egypt and the Seven Vials of the Wrath of God provides very important clues when determining the location of these future judgments.

Localized Event

It’s interesting to see that many of the Vials are similar and sometimes exact duplicates of the plagues of Egypt. Once we understand these similarities and the fact that the plagues of Egypt did not affect the whole world, it allows us to know the Seven Vials will also be localized and regional.

This is important because the Bible says at the time of the Second Coming and the Battle of Armageddon, the elements will melt with a fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10), and there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth.

Some have taught that the entire Earth will be consumed by fire at the time of the Vials. That must be a misunderstanding because the Bible also says people will be allowed to live into the Millennium after these Vials are poured out.

“I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.” (Daniel 7:11-12)

This prophecy is fulfilled at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:20). It is telling us that at the Second Coming and the Battle of Armageddon, human governments will be abolished but the people will not be consumed with fire but continue living.

What does 2 Peter 3:10 mean when it says the elements will melt with a fervent heat? To answer this question, let’s look at an Old Testament prophecy foretelling the same event.

“And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” (Zechariah 14:12)

This is describing the effects of a nuclear bomb.

From these passages, we know there will be nuclear weapons used at the Battle of Armageddon. This is when the elements will melt with a fervent heat. Remember, this is a localized event — not global.

The Sixth Vial

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” (Revelation 16:12)

The Euphrates River is the principal water source of the Middle East. The river will be dried up to facilitate the invasion of Jerusalem for the Battle of Armageddon.

On January 13, 1990, the Indianapolis Star published an article: “Turkey will cut off flow of Euphrates for 1 month.”

This was not the drying up of the Euphrates River prophesied in Revelation 16. Turkey needed to fill up the just completed Ataturk Reservoir which caused them to raise the dam for 30 days.

This is significant because the Ataturk Dam located in southern Turkey gives Turkey total control over the flow of the Euphrates River. It is highly likely this ability to stop the river will be used by Turkey to clear the way for the rapid invasion of Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.

The Kings of the East

Under this Vial, the Euphrates is dried up to allow the “kings of the east” to invade Israel.

Ezekiel 38 provides a list of nations that will participate in the invasion of Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:” (Ezekiel 38:1-4)

The terms ‘Gog’ and ‘Magog’ are generally used in the Bible to identify evil forces opposed to God. The Greeks referred to Magog as the Scythians who lived in the northern regions above the Caucasus Mountains. Josephus, the second-century Roman historian, wrote about the descendants of Noah, “After they were dispersed abroad, on account of their languages, and went out by colonies everywhere; and each colony took possession of that land unto which God led them … Magog founded those that from him were named Magogites, but who are by the Greeks called Scythians.” Today, we understand that to be prophetically specific, ‘Gog’ is the leader of the Russian invasion of Israel, and ‘Magog,’ ‘Tubal’ and ‘Meshech’ are modern-day Russia. Tubal and Meshech were sons of Japheth who settled south of the Black Sea. It is generally understood that the name ‘Moscow’ is derived from the tribal name ‘Meshech.’

Ezekiel 38 describes a future attack on Israel by Gog and Magog (Russia) and the mainly Islamic countries of Persia (Iran, portions of northern Iraq and Afghanistan), Cush (Ethiopia and Sudan), Put (Libya, possibly Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco), Gomer (Eastern Europe) and the House of Togarmah (Turkey and Armenia).

These countries will most likely serve under a world government flag – probably the United Nations. They will invade Israel in the north and the battle will be engaged in the Plain of Megiddo. The war will then culminate in Jerusalem.

Fake News

Some have taught the Battle of Armageddon occurred 2,000 years ago when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D.

The Sixth Vial prophecy is one of the best ways to disprove that belief.

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” (Revelation 16:12)

At the Battle of Armageddon, the Euphrates River will be dried up to make way for the kings of the east to come to the Battle of Armageddon.

Who destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D.? It was the Romans under General Titus. Of course, Rome is due west of Jerusalem.

Three Spirits Like Frogs

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
(Revelation 16:13-14)

These spirits are operating under the authority of Satan.

Presently, Satan (the dragon) has a great voice through the media — preaching his messages of deception across the globe. In the future, the Antichrist and False Prophet will be fabulous orators. Beware of these influences.

Notice verse 14 says, “ … they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle … ”

Demonic spirits will influence the nations to come to the Battle of Armageddon. However, Zechariah prophesied that God would gather the nations to battle.

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”
(Zechariah 14:1-2)

Is this a contradiction in the Word of God? No. God will use Satan’s deceptive message to bring the nations of the world into one place so He can pour out His Wrath upon them.

Satan will do this same thing a second time after the 1,000-year Millennial Reign.

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 20:7-8)

Demonic Powers

Verse 14 also says these are the spirits of devils working miracles to deceive many.

Do we believe in miracles today? Absolutely! Do we believe all miracles are from God? Absolutely not!

Remember when Moses threw his rod down, the Egyptian magicians also threw their rods down and all of them turned into snakes? (Exodus 7:10-12) When Moses turned the water into blood, the magicians turned the water into blood. (Exodus 7:20-22)

The False Prophet will have these same demonic powers to perform miracles.

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast … ” (Revelation 13:13-14)

How can we know the difference between a miracle from God and a demonic miracle? A clear distinction can be made through consistent study of the Word of God.

Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

All miracles which come from God will align perfectly with the teachings of the Bible —every time!

The Last-Minute Warning!

The kings of the east have crossed the Euphrates, making their way to invade Israel and the Lord strategically positions this one small verse here.

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15)

This is the last-minute warning before the Rapture. Some have taught the theory of a pre-tribulation Rapture because the Lord is coming as a thief but not according to this passage. This verse is just prior to the Battle of Armageddon.

Before we leave this point, I want you to consider two things in verse 15: “ … Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments … ” The Lord told John, even while He is pouring out His Wrath, blessed are they that are watching and keeping their garments clean.

I don’t know about you but I want to be one of these individuals. How do we do that?  The Apostle Paul taught us how.

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)

In the end time, the Lord will come as a thief for those who are not watching and are unprepared. However, Paul taught that would not apply to everyone.

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-9)

The Apostle Paul explains there will be those who will be watching and have on certain garments (breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation) that would not suffer the Wrath of God.

In Ephesians 6, Paul provides a detailed description of the whole armor of God or spiritual garments that we should be wearing in that day to protect us from the Wrath.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians (6:13-17)

These spiritual garments are spiritual attributes used by Christians to resist and combat our spiritual enemy — demonic spirits.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Paul and John both knew we would need spiritual armor to resist the onslaught of Satan and his deceptive messages in the days leading up to the Battle of Armageddon.

Armageddon

“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” (Revelation 16:16)

The word Armageddon comes from two words, Har Megiddo (Hill of Megiddo). You can stand in the ancient city of Megiddo in northern Israel overlooking the Plain of Megiddo or the Jezreel Valley. This is the valley where the Battle of Armageddon will be engaged.

The Seventh Vial

“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” (Revelation 16:17)

Notice the term, “It is done.” This means the plan of God is finished.

Everything God has planned from the creation of Adam and Eve until this point has culminated. The Rapture has happened and it is time for the bride (the church) to be joined with the Bridegroom (Jesus Christ).

Voices — Thunders — Lightnings — Earthquake

Immediately after this, we see a phrase used three times in the Book of Revelation — “voices, thunderings, lightnings and an earthquake.” It is especially important to understand this when analyzing the structural elements of this book.

It is mentioned here under the Seven Vials: “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” (Revelation 16:18)

However, this same term is found in the Seventh Seal: “ … and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:5)

It is also mentioned in the Seventh Trumpet: “ … and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19)

Why are these specific events cited over and over? They are the exact same event.

The Sixth and Seventh Seal, the Seventh Trumpet and the Seventh Vial are all different versions of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is at this time when there are “voices, thunderings, lightnings and an earthquake.”

This is absolute proof the Book of Revelation is not written in chronological order.

A Great Earthquake — Rome is Destroyed

“ … and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city (Jerusalem) was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon (Rome) came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” (Revelation 16:18-19)

This will be the worst earthquake the world has ever known. It is a global earthquake. Multiple cities are destroyed — specifically the city of Rome which is Mystery Babylon in Revelation 17-18.

“And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” (Revelation 16:20)

This same event is mentioned several times in Scripture, always referring to the Second Coming of Jesus and the Battle of Armageddon:

“And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38:18-20)

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” (Zechariah 14:4)

The Sixth Seal — “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” (Revelation 6:14)

The Seventh Trumpet — “And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” (Revelation 11:13)

This event and others are repeated throughout Scripture because the Lord wants us to understand them from many different perspectives. Each passage adds another piece to the very large puzzle — providing us with clues to understand the prophecy.

Great Hail

“And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” (Revelation 16:21)

The table of weights and measures in the back of a Thompson Chain Study Bible claims a talent is 125 pounds. If that is accurate, these hailstones will weigh 125 pounds each!

Remember, these Vials are poured out at the Battle of Armageddon. During that war, the Heavens will open and God will rain hailstones weighing over 100 pounds on the world government armies of the Antichrist.

How do we know God will send these plagues against the invading armies?

Ezekiel 38

Ezekiel 38-39 describes events that will occur at the Battle of Armageddon.  It is during this last war on Earth that God said, “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.” (Ezekiel 38:22)

God is going to rain great hailstones on the Antichrist and all those that come with him to fight against Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.

Battle of Armageddon

The Seven Vials conclude at the end of Revelation 16. Although I would like to analyze the many passages which detail the Battle of Armageddon, space in this article will not allow me to do so.

Ezekiel 38-39, Zechariah 12-14, Revelation 19 and others provide so many different perspectives of this last great war.

What’s Next?

At the Battle of Armageddon, God will tear down the world governing system of the Antichrist. It will be the end of human government on Earth and the ushering in of the Kingdom of God. (Daniel 7:9)

Because of their iniquities and deceitfulness, the leader of the world government, the Antichrist, and the head of the global religious system, the False Prophet, will both be cast into the Lake of Fire.

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20)

Finally, Satan is bound for the next 1,000 years.

“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:2)

Kingdom of God

At the Battle of Armageddon, the Lord will eliminate all human governments here on Earth. He will set up His government, the Kingdom of God, which will reign supreme on Earth for the next 1,000 years.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

Daniel prophesied the same event:

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Daniel 2:44)

It will be perfect peace on Earth for the next 1,000 years. The saints will rule and reign with the Lord in this kingdom and it will be governed according to biblical principles.

Who is Exempt from God’s Wrath?

I know you would not forgive me if I didn’t conclusively answer one last question. How can a person be sheltered from these judgments?

Is it possible for God to pour out His Wrath on some while protecting others? Consider the last and worst plague of Egypt.

“And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.” (Exodus 11:4-7)

God specifically told Moses He would execute judgment on the Egyptians but the Israelites would be spared. The Lord gave Moses detailed instructions which the Israelites had to obey for them to be saved.

First, every Israelite household had to kill a lamb. And then …

“ … they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.” (Exodus 12:7)

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:12-13)

The Lord did kill the firstborn in all the land of Egypt. The Israelites who obeyed the instructions given by God were protected and saved.

The Apostle Paul taught that this same scenario would apply when the Wrath of God is poured out.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ..” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

The only thing that has changed are the instructions given by God for salvation.

Today, we do not kill a physical lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts of our homes. Jesus Christ was the spotless Lamb who died for us. The blood He shed on Calvary is applied to our lives when we are born again.

Just like the Israelites in Egyptian bondage, to be exempt from the Wrath of God, we must strictly adhere to the plan of salvation God has given us. Jesus called that plan of salvation being “Born Again.”

Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3 he couldn’t see or enter the Kingdom of God unless he was born again. To get your free copy of the brochure “What Do You Mean Born Again?” call 800-ENDTIME (363-8463) or visit endtime.com.

The Israelites were not concerned about the judgment of God because they obeyed the instructions of the Lord and it resulted in their salvation.

Today, you and I must do the same if we are to be exempted from the Seven Vials of the Wrath of God. Just like Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:7, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”