Plague The word πληγή, ‘stroke,’ occurs in the NT only in the Apocalypse (8:8, 9:18, 20, 11:6, 13:3, 12, 14, 15:1, 6, 8, 16:9, 21, 18:4, 8, 21:9, 22:18). It was used by the LXX_ for the ‘plagues’ of Egypt and the later visitations of God upon His people and their enemies, which made a profound impression upon the Hebrews (cf. Leviticus 26:2, Numbers 25:8 f., Numbers 25:2 S 24:21). In the Apocalypse the plagues are unforeseen, sudden occurrences, greater and more terrible than those in Egypt, which will disclose God’s purpose and providence concerning His own. However violent the opposition, or bitter the persecution, or extreme the danger to which God’s people are exposed, they have nothing to fear. The Seer beholds successive Divine judgments fall upon the earth, the sea, the rivers, the sun, moon, and stars. Instruments of Divine punishment are insects, beasts, angels, hail-stones, death, mourning, want, and fire. In a word, all the forces and agencies of the world which are naturally friendly to man are turned into hostile and destructive action against those who dishonour God and would destroy His Kingdom. Even the people of God are secure against the same fate only by faith and obedience.
C. A. Beckwith.