James White
From the last clause of Rev. 15:1, “for in them is filled up the wrath of God,” it seems clear that all the wrath of God to be poured out on the living wicked is contained in the plagues. The vials of wrath will certainly be poured out in the day of the wrath of God, and of the Lamb.
Jesus is clearly represented in the Bible, in His different characters, offices, and works. At the crucifixion He was the meek, slain Lamb. From the ascension to the shutting of the door, October 1844, Jesus stood with widespread arms of love and mercy, ready to receive and plead the cause of every sinner who would come to God by Him.
On the 10th day of the 7th month, 1844, He passed into the Holy of Holies, where He has since been a merciful “High Priest over the house of God.” But when His priestly work is finished there, He is to lay off His priestly attire, and put on His most kingly robes, to execute His judgment on the living wicked. Now where shall we look for the day of wrath, in which will be poured out the vials of wrath? Not to the crucifixion, nor while Jesus is fulfilling His priesthood in the Heavenly Sanctuary. But when He lays off His priestly attire, and puts on the “garments of vengeance” to “repay fury to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies,” then the day of His wrath will have fully come.
As the wrath of God on the living wicked is “filled up” in the plagues, and as the day of wrath is future, it follows that the plagues are all future. I think the following is a prophecy which has been fulfilling since October 1844. “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”