Exodus 9:1-18
(Continued)
“Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.” verse 18.
The plague of hail, the seventh of the awful blows that fell on Egypt, has a very clear message, showing forth in picture form God’s ways of grace in the world now and the judgment that is surely coming. Pharaoh is the familiar type of San. His power over his servants and the Egyptians is but a picture of Satan’s influence and power over the people of this world who are ensnared by him, who do his will and walk in his ways. Pharaoh’s cruel oppression of Israel tells of Satan’s hatred of God and His people in every age, and of his opposition to all that is of Him.
Sin, suffering, hopelessness and death are the sad results of Satan’s influence over the hearts and behavior of countless thousands. Yet how happy it is to know that those who have found Christ as their Saviour are free from this wicked tyranny; they now joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet through carelessness children of God may allow evil influences to mar their testimony. Through Satan’s wiles even believers may lapse into careless ways and lose their joy in the Lord; they may be drawn away into things dishonoring to His blessed name. Though Satan cannot touch the eternal life that is theirs in Christ, still he employs every means at his disposal to discourage and harm Christians, as Pharaoh did the Israelites.
Such is the present course of things in this world, but it will not go on forever. God is witness to the evil of the adversary, to the condition of those who are ensnared by him, as well as to the trials and sufferings of His people. He has made plain His purpose to bring total judgment on Satan and all that is of that wicked one in this world. This destruction will be terrible and complete and the seventh plague of Egypt is a reminder of it. “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7. The reign of Satan, his servants and his followers, will end and their destiny is plainly foretold: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Those who have rejected Christ in the world shall stand before the great white throne of God, where they will be judged every man according to their works. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:10-15.
But before this time of final judgment the Lord Himself will have come and taken His own to their heavenly home; those who have died to be resurrected and then, with believers who are yet alive, to receive new glorified bodies suited for their entrance into those realms of eternal glory. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.
ML 11/24/1968