One thing I have found interesting about the book of Revelation is, how many chances evil gets a chance to repent. It almost reminds me of Exodus. Pharaoh got at least 10 chances to repent, maybe even 12, but he kept hardening his heart. Finally, God wiped him out. I also think about Sodom and Gamorah. Abraham finally stopped arguing when not even 10 righteous men could be found. God sent angels to investigate, but the men of Sodom tried to rape the angels, even refusing Lots daughters and continuing the attack after the angels struck them with supernatural blindness. Stop for a moment and ask, what is your solution for that mind set? Let’s read Revelation.
6th seal: Revelation 6:15-17 “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
6th trumpet: Revelation 9:21 “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”
4th bowl: Revelation 16:9 “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.”
5th bowl: Revelation 16:11 “And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”
7th bowl: Revelation 16:21 “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.”
In my letter, When is the Rapture, I raised a question, could there be multiple raptures? I’m not saying there is. We strongly suspect the purpose of the events of Revelation is a redemption of creation. It may seem like he’s being harsh during these events, but another perspective is provided by the martyrs. They complain to God that he is taking too long to avenge their blood. (Rev 6:10) The fact of the matter is, evil people deserve what’s coming their way. That is justice. However, God does offer mercy. He gives them chance after chance to change. I think that’s why you have 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls. Revelation makes the point that, even after all of this pounding, they still blaspheme God, because he is punishing them, rather than change their mind. They aren’t even saying, God doesn’t exist. They are talking to God and basically cursing at him for hurting them. …and they still won’t repent. …just like Sodom and Gamorah. What would you do with that mind set? God eventually destroys them.
If I may expound on this point a moment more, look at Revelation 18:4. “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” This is the end, and God is still telling people to repent. 18:20 reads, “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.” They are cheering, because justice has finally been served, and evil can’t kill good anymore.