In chapter 15 we have a prelude to the
pouring out of the vials of the wrath of God. There is a
definite parallel between the trumpet judgments and the
vial judgments. In each case, the judgment is in the
same area; but the vial judgments are more severe. It
seems, too, that the vial judgments occur in quick
succession, aimed especially at the Beast and his
satanic kingdom. These judgments prepare the way for
Armageddon and the return of Christ to the earth to
claim His Kingdon.
In chapters 17 and 18 we are introduced to
Babylon, which typifies the last great world system
before the return of Christ. Chapter 17 emphasizes the
religious aspect of this world system and then, in
chapter 18, the commercial aspect is stressed. Chapter
19 presents the climax of the wrath of God and Jesus
Christ coming to destroy the armies of the nations of
the world. In verses 11-16 we have pictured the opening
of heaven, allowing Christ and His armies to ride forth
in victory. The description of Christ in these verses is
different from any we have seen. He is no longer riding
a humble donkey, but He is on a fiery white charger. His
eyes are not filled with tears, as when He looked upon
Jerusalem and wept; nor is He wearing a crown of thorns
which He bore for the sins of men. Instead, He is coming
to rule with a rod of iron, and He comes as King of
kings and Lord of lords.
In chapter 19:17-21 we see Christ destroying the
armies with the Word, the sword that comes from His
mouth (Hebrews 4:12). Men who would not bow to the Word
of God and receive the Gospel must now be slain by the
same Word. The followers of the Beast are marked men.
The mark of the Beast on their bodies seals them for
certain judgment. Christ not only destroys the armies of
the Beast, but He also captures the Beast and the False
Prophet, and casts them alive into hell (chapter 19:20).
He also casts Satan into the bottomless pit, as we will
see in chapter 20:1-3.
This will be a time of great sorrow. In Hebrews
2:3 we read, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so
great salvation?” There is no escape except through the
person of Jesus Christ. His plea to a lost and dying
world is that now is the time of salvation. Let Christ
come into your life today. With Christ as Saviour and
ruler of your life, you will have no fear of the coming
judgment, but can look forward to the joy of spending
eternity with our Lord in heaven.