“Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.... For in one hour is thy judgment come.” Rev. 18:8-10.
20. What famine will come at this time upon those who have rejected God's messages of mercy?
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11, 12. See Luke 13:25; Prov. 1:24-26; Heb. 12:15-17.
21. What announcement is made under the seventh plague?
“And there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” Rev. 16:17.
Note.—God made man to bless him. Gen. 1:28. When His blessings are abused, He withholds them, to teach men their source and their proper use. Haggai 1:7-11. Judgments are sent that men may “learn righteousness.” Isa. 25:9; 1 Kings 17:1. That men do not repent under the plagues is no evidence that God has ceased to be merciful and forgiving. They simply demonstrate that all have determined their destiny, and that even the severest judgments of God will not move the ungodly and impenitent to repentance.
22. Just preceding Christ's second coming, what solemn decree will go forth showing that the cases of all have been decided?
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:11, 12.
23. What psalms seem to have been written especially for the comfort and encouragement of God's people during the time of the seven last plagues?
Psalms 91 and 46. See also Isa. 33:13-17.