zion’s fire magazine preview
COVER FEATURE
The 7 Bowl Judgments and the Purging of the Earth
Written by Marvin J. Rosenthal

The fifteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation begins with these words: “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous.” In saying that he saw “another sign,” John was stating this was not the first sign which he had observed.
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Earlier, in Chapter 12, John said, “and there appeared a great wonder [literally, sign] in heaven.” The sign John beheld was “a woman clothed with the sun” (Revelation 12:1). Then John said he beheld a second wonder [sign], which he described this way: “And there appeared another wonder [sign] in heaven.” The second sign John beheld was “a great red dragon” (Revelation 12:3).
The sign of “a woman clothed with the sun” was a reference to Israel. The sign of “a great red dragon” was a reference to Satan.
Having now identified Israel and Satan as the two major antagonists of history, John succinctly summarizes the conflict of the ages as the red dragon (Satan) seeks to destroy the Seed (Christ) of the woman (Israel). God, however, intervened and protected the Seed at birth by warning Joseph to take the infant and Mary down to Egypt because King Herod would seek His life by murdering all the male children in Bethlehem up to two years of age (Matthew 2:13, 16).
Following the virgin birth, John passes completely over Christ’s life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection without a word and moves immediately to His ascension to heaven (Revelation 12:5). This was done to prepare for John’s central point of discussion; namely, Satan’s attempt to kill the woman during the Great Tribulation at the end of the age (Revelation 12:13-14). Since Satan could not kill the Seed destined to crush his head, he seeks to get the woman (Israel) who gave birth to the Seed to worship the Antichrist and take his mark. Those who will not comply, he will seek to kill. God, however, commands Israel to flee to the mountains where He protects a remnant of her seed for three and one-half years during the last half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Revelation 12:14).
Frustrated at not being able to get at those who have fled to the mountains, Satan turns his hatred toward her off spring. This should not be construed to mean Jews only. Her “off - spring” is a reference to believers worldwide who, like father Abraham, have been justified by faith in Christ and are spiritual Israelites (Galatians 3:7, 29).
In Chapter 13, Satan, in concert with his emissaries, the Antichrist and False Prophet, launches his final campaign to rule the world. This satanic program began thousands of years earlier in the Garden of Eden. However, at this point in history, humanity is being confronted with an unmistakable choice – worship Christ or worship the Antichrist. To some, the decision may seem conspicuous – choose Christ. But the tragic reality is that most will choose Antichrist because their thoughts and deeds are evil. They prefer darkness rather than light.
To reject the Antichrist, evidenced by the refusal to take his mark, will not come without tremendous cost. It will result in great persecution and martyrdom for many of God’s faithful sons and daughters. So severe will be this hour of history that unless those days were shortened, according to the Lord, no believing flesh would survive (Matthew 24:21-22).
No one should be dismayed at this devastating attack on God’s sons and daughters. On one occasion, the Lord Jesus said to His followers, “If any man will come after me, let him take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). He was not simply speaking of the daily pressures of life. What He was saying to His followers was this: If you are not willing to die for Me should the occasion arise, you are not worthy to be My disciple. This will be such an occasion. The Bible never teaches that following Christ is like a stroll in the park – that to be a Christian is to have no problems and to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Then, in Chapter 14, in the midst of the darkness and undiluted evil, the Lamb is seen standing on Mount Zion. The significance of this portrait of Christ standing on Mount Zion cannot be overstated. The Seed of the woman who will crush Satan’s head and whom Satan had attempted to murder at birth is alive and well and standing on Mount Zion, the very heart of Jerusalem, His capital city.
But the Lamb is not alone. Standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb are one hundred and forty-four thousand Jews. These are those who have rejected the mark of the Antichrist and were sealed by God in Chapter 7. They survived the seven trumpet judgments and are now standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion. They are said to be the “firstfruits” of a great multitude of people from among every kindred, tongue, and tribe who will reject the Antichrist and put their faith in the Son of God (Revelation 14:4).
As noted earlier, John had seen two signs in Chapter 12. First, the woman clothed with the sun (Israel); and second, a great red dragon (Satan). Now, in Chapter 15, John sees a third sign. The sign is said to be both “great” and “marvellous” (sic, Revelation 15:1). It is “great” in that it speaks of the final triumph and vindication of God in connection with all of history. It is “marvellous” in that it will showcase God’s holiness, justice, truth, love, and power in the accomplishment of His redemption of the earth.
This final sign which is both “great” and “marvellous” is identified as “seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God” (Revelation 15:1).