Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, plagues are often depicted as divine instruments of judgment and warning, serving as both a consequence of disobedience and a call to repentance. The foretelling of plagues is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the seriousness of sin.Old Testament Prophecies 1. Deuteronomy 28:58-61: In the covenantal blessings and curses outlined by Moses, the Israelites are warned of the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. The text states, "If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not fear this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God—then the LORD will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary disasters, severe and lasting plagues, and terrible and chronic sicknesses. He will bring upon you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. The LORD will also bring upon you every sickness and plague not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed" . This passage underscores the conditional nature of Israel's relationship with God, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience results in curses, including plagues. 2. Leviticus 26:21-25: Here, God warns the Israelites of the consequences of continued rebellion. "If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times according to your sins. I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle, and reduce your numbers until your roads lie desolate. If in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but continue to walk in hostility toward Me, then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins. I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. Though you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy" . This passage highlights the escalating nature of divine judgment in response to persistent sin. Prophetic Warnings 1. Jeremiah 14:12: The prophet Jeremiah conveys God's message to a rebellious Judah, stating, "Although they fast, I will not hear their cry, and although they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague" . This prophecy reflects the futility of ritual without genuine repentance and the inevitability of divine judgment through plagues. 2. Ezekiel 14:21: Ezekiel speaks of the severe judgments that God will bring upon Jerusalem, saying, "For this is what the Lord GOD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to cut off both man and beast from it!" . The inclusion of plagues among these judgments illustrates their role as a tool of divine retribution. New Testament Context 1. Revelation 6:8: In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, plagues are part of the end-times judgments. "Then I looked and saw a pale horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth" . This passage indicates that plagues will play a significant role in the eschatological events leading to the final judgment. 2. Revelation 15:1: The Apostle John describes the seven last plagues as the completion of God's wrath. "Then I saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues, which are the final expression of God’s wrath" . This emphasizes the culmination of divine judgment through plagues as part of God's ultimate plan for justice and redemption. Throughout Scripture, the foretelling of plagues serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. These prophetic warnings underscore the holiness of God and His desire for His people to turn back to Him in faithfulness and obedience. Nave's Topical Index Revelation 11:6These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. Nave's Topical Index Revelation 15:1,6-8 Revelation 16:1 Revelation 22:18,19 Library Concerning the Ten Plagues which came Upon the Egyptians. On the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ... Treatise vii. On the Mortality. The Third Wall. How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus. A Startling Statement The Objection, Why do You Suffer if God Cares for You, Answered. Matt. Ii. 1, 2 Resources What is the cause of the recent plague of child molestation incidents? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt? | GotQuestions.org Is there extra-biblical evidence of the ten plagues in Egypt? | GotQuestions.org Plague: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Plague of Boils and Open Sores Plague: As a Judgment on the Egyptians Plague: Death of the Firstborn Plague: Denounced As a Judgment Plague: On the Israelites for the Sin of Peor Plague: On the Israelites of Serpents Plague: On the Israelites: After Complaining About the Destruction of Korah and his Family Plague: On the Israelites: After Eating the Quail Meat Plague: On the Israelites: After Refusing to Enter the Promised Land Plague: On the Israelites: On Account of David's Sin The Plague or Pestilence was Attributed to a Destroying Angel The Plague or Pestilence: Described As Noisome The Plague or Pestilence: Desolating Effects of The Plague or Pestilence: Egypt often Afflicted With The Plague or Pestilence: Equally Fatal Day and Night The Plague or Pestilence: Fatal to Man and Beast The Plague or Pestilence: God's Judgments Upon the Apostasy The Plague or Pestilence: Inflicted by God The Plague or Pestilence: Israel Threatened With, As a Punishment for Disobedience The Plague or Pestilence: Often Broke out Suddenly The Plague or Pestilence: Often Followed War and Famine The Plague or Pestilence: One of God's Four Sore Judgments The Plague or Pestilence: Predicted to Happen Before Destruction of Jerusalem The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: David's Subjects for his Numbering the People The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Despising Manna The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Making Golden Calf The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Murmuring at Destruction of Korah The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Worshipping Baal-Peor The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: The Egyptians The Plague or Pestilence: Specially Fatal in Cities The Plague or Pestilence: The Diseased State of Man's Heart The Plague or Pestilence: The Jews Sought Deliverance From, by Prayer Related Terms |
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