The Seven Vials

After this, the Seer looked, and “behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened,” and the whole scene is expressive of wrath coming out from the sanctuary of God. There is not a cheering ray. The whole temple is filled with smoke; for the seven angels are charged with the seven last plagues, and are sent forth to execute on guilty man the wrath of God. How very solemn! Happy those who now, while the gospel is preached, heed the warning, and flee from the wrath to come, by taking refuge in the precious blood of the Son of God. The time will come when it will be too late. With many, we fear, the hardening process is going on, which will increase till they deny the only Lord God, both as the Creator of the universe and Redeemer of His people. Praise God that the gospel of the grace of God is still preached, the arms of pardoning mercy are still opened wide, and that God is the Saviour and everlasting Friend and Father of all who believe on the Lord Jesus. Blessed be God, at this moment we can say―
“Great grace there is for sinners great,
Rich grace for those who’re poor,
Almighty grace to keep the weak,
Come ye, and test its power.
Infinite grace for finite worms,
O Lord, how good Thou art
Unto poor sinners who are vile!
Sweet Jesus, take my heart.”

We should notice, that one of the four living creatures is here seen again acting apart from the elders, and doing that which seems very unlike the business of sinners saved by grace, namely, giving the angels the vials of wrath to discharge on the men who had the mark of the beast, &c. I am aware that some dear servants of the Lord have considered the living creatures to be the Church, but this does not seem to me capable of being established, for reasons assigned when considering the 4th and 5th chapters. But those who do hold that the living creatures are the Church, are bound to admit that the saints are caught up to heaven before the great tribulation, because here we see one of the living creatures in heaven engaged in giving the angels vials of wrath to pour out on men, the worshippers of the beast and his image on earth. “One of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth forever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power: and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” (verses 7,8; see chapter 16:2.)