Chapter 7: Why God’s Wrath Temporarily Held Back

Next Part Chapter 8: The Seven Trumpet Plagues

Right before the Day of the Lord, an angel temporarily holds back the four winds, which Revelation 8:7-12 explains are the first four trumpet plagues of the seventh seal. Now notice: “And after these things I saw FOUR ANGELS standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the FOUR WINDS of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and He cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel” (Rev 7:1-4).

This is a dramatic scene. Four winds are about to “hurt the earth”—devastate its landscape! (Though symbolic in language, the plagues they bring will be most real to all who suffer them.) God’s Wrath, which is the beginning of His direct intervention in world affairs, is poised to appear. But it is temporarily restrained. Something must happen first before this can occur.

These winds are held back so that the well-known (but little understood) 144,000 can be sealed—and the great (innumerable) multitude can stand before the throne of Christ wearing white robes.

First, the 144,000 are sealed (Rev 7:4-8) with the Father’s Name (Rev 14:1)—and represent 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Rev 14:14 adds more about this group (Rev 14:1-5). These are obviously converted people. They are sealed with the Father’s Name (and the Holy Spirit “in their foreheads”) because this is how Christ prayed, in John 17:11, that the Father would “keep” His servants. This world’s churches are named after men, doctrines, locations, etc. God’s Church (in 12 places in the New Testament) is always named after Himself—Church of God!

The innumerable multitude is comprised of those who are drifting along, not heeding God’s instruction now, though they know His commands. These “came out of the great tribulation” (Rev 7:14).

John records the following: “After this I beheld, and lo, A GREAT MULTITUDE, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred's, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands...And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:9, 13-14).

Many know the truth today but are either not acting on it, or are only responding to it in a limited way. Scores of millions heard the voice of Herbert W. Armstrong during his 52-year ministry. He boldly proclaimed the true gospel of the kingdom of God, and restored many true doctrines to the sixth era (Philadelphia) of God’s Church. Many did not heed. They were “choked by the cares of the world.”

Some will finally wake up during or after the tribulation, after seeing the terror of the Heavenly Signs—and after much suffering. These stupendous events will sober and awaken many before it is too late. In complete submission, they will repent and turn to God. The Restored Church of God is carrying on this ministry—this WARNING to all who will listen!

Why God Sends Plagues

I John 4:8 and 16 state that “God is love.” His love for the world is why Christ died (John 3:16). A fair, just and loving God never punishes people before He warns them. Once again, you are being warned. When Christ came to earth to announce God’s kingdom, He was tortured and crucified. Every one of the apostles, with the likely exception of John, was put to death, often after imprisonment—sometimes including torture.

Time could be taken to describe the prophets of old who warned nations, kings and peoples to repent and to acknowledge God as sovereign over their lives. These men were placed in dungeons, forced to flee for their lives, stoned, sawn in two, or otherwise killed in most cruel fashion. Invariably, they were rejected and ignored. Noah preached for 120 years and only a few of his family heeded.

This stiff-necked, rebellious, pleasure-seeking world has never heeded the true prophets and servants of God. Except for a tiny few, this will not change because of the words of this booklet. God is a parent. Like all parents, He punishes His children. Proverbs 3:11-12 states, “…despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction: For whom the LORD loves He corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.”

These are the plain words of God about how He works with people. We are about to read of terrible plagues to be poured out on a God-hating, truth-rejecting, self-willed, rebellious world. This punishment is coming for a reason. Six thousand years of ignoring God have come to the FULL—and God is filled with WRATH!