After the many blessings for obedience are pronounced in the first half of Leviticus chapter 26, twice as many curses are pronounced upon those who would disobey God’s covenant. The phrase “I will punish you seven times more,” repeated four times in these warnings (vv. 18, 21, 24, 28), means “a complete punishment,” since seven is the Hebrew number signifying completeness (don’t get me started!) . Each period of chastisement would be full and complete, with nothing lacking; and the next period would be more severe than the previous one.” Bible scholars know that the punishments on Israel recorded in Revelation during the great tribulation are administered in series of seven; seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls over a period of seven years. Each of these judgments are more severe than the previous one. These last great punishments are meted out upon God’s chosen people, Israel, specifically, for their national rejection of God’s son, Jesus.
But for those who have received Christ, Jew and Gentile, there is a banquet. It’s called the marriage supper of the lamb.
During the Sevens of the great tribulation, we will celebrate, rejoice, be given new bodies, and be joined with all past loved ones and united with the God who made us and saved us. This is our lot! It’s ours not because we don’t deserve the seven times seven kinds of punishment recorded in Leviticus chapter 26 and Revelation, but because someone has taken that extreme punishment for us. It’s interesting to realize that all the judgments of God promised for disobedience have been laid upon Christ for us. We need only receive Him. Acknowledge that He is who he said He was, God’s one and only Son, acknowledge the truth of our failure under God’s righteous covenant (confess), and accept Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.
No one alive needs to fear the vast eternal judgments to fall on sinners! It’s in the book of the seven great judgments that we read in Chapter 3, verse 20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, whosever opens to me, he will sup with me and I will sup with him.” This is an invitation from Christ to everyone in the world to attend the great celebration.