Daily Devotional

This first plague describes a condition similar to smallpox, in which wounds with putrid discharge cover the flesh. It falls only on a certain group of people, those with “the mark of the beast,” those who worship the beast’s image. At this time, that will sadly constitute the majority of the world’s population. From the start of these last plagues, it is made clear that those who follow the beast are the ones being judged. Who they have worshiped cannot protect or deliver them.

This first plague is reminiscent of Egypt’s sixth plague of boils (Exodus 9:8–10). Scripture records, “The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians” (v. 11). All of Egypt’s occult arts could not prevail against the power of God. Similarly, neither will the false prophet be able to cure this “foul and loathsome sore” with any demonic miracles.

While there are exceptions to this rule (Job 1, 2), disease can be traced back to transgression of the law of God in some way or another. Exodus 15:26 says, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” The clear condition of perfect health is perfect obedience to the laws of God.

And as we’ve learned, those with the mark of the beast will indeed disobey God’s law, most publicly illustrated by their keeping of Sunday as the Sabbath. But the opposing group, those with the seal of God “who keep the commandments of God” (Revelation 14:12), is promised: “Surely He shall deliver you … from the perilous pestilence” (Psalm 91:3). In fact, the Bible declares, “Because you have made the LORD, who is [our] refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (vv. 9, 10).

Father in heaven, thank You for the blessing and protection given through the teaching and keeping of Your law.

For Further Study: Psalm 38:3; Proverbs 4:20–22; John 9:3