The Prelude to the Bowl Judgements

Introduction:

As we saw that chapters 12-13 are most likely an overview of the whole tribulation period. Chapter 15 serves as a introduction to the final set of plagues, which will be dished out in chapter 16. With what took place in chapter 14, we are given more details of God’s judgement here. While judgement can be a frightening topic, it does need to be discussed.

That there is a way of escape from the righteous judgement of God and it is imperative to understand that salvation is only through Jesus Christ.

v. 1) Seven angels with seven plagues:

Revelation 14 seems to describe the consummation of all things, ending with the fury of the Battle of Armageddon. But now John is going back to describe the judgement of God in more detail. While we are, probably, not familiar with the idea of stating and re-stating in more detail. It is rather common within prophetic and Hebrew literature.

A perfect example of this is the first couple chapters of Genesis. Chapters one and two gives the overview of all of creation in regards to the days everything was created. While, the second half of chapter 2 gives us more information and give more detail.

So what is happening here is the prophet review, recapitulates, and enlarges upon the scene he has already sketched. I should be noted, that we seemed to have already saw the end: Revelation 6:12-17. Then John took us over the same material in greater detail again. Revelation is not strictly chronological in its arrangement.

Seven angels: This idea is also found in Leviticus:

Leviticus 26:21 NKJV

21 ‘Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins.

These seven last plagues are God’s judgement on a disobedient and rebellious world. These seven angels are all together described as the seven last plagues—as this is the final step in the outpouring of God’s wrath on the earth.

These seven angels should not be confused with the two groups of three angels in chapter 14, or with any other previous group mentioned.

The wrath of God is complete: The Greek word for wrath is thymos. As was the case in Revelation 14:10

Revelation 14:10 NKJV

10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

There are two words for wrath or anger in the Bible: thymos (a volatile, passionate anger) and orge (anger from a settled disposition). This is a place where God’s anger flashes hot.

Orge is the more common word for God’s anger in the NT. Thymos is used only 11 times, and 10 of them are in Revelation. After all, this is the book that reveals the judgement of God against a Jesus-rejecting world.

Is complete: The word complete means “to reach an end or an aim.” here the furnace of God’s wrath will fulfill an eternal purpose, a perfect purpose. God is never vindictive or just blowing off steam.

Application:

Make sure you are in right standing with God so that you will not have to face His wrath…And if you have a loved one you are unsure about… tell them about the glorious God who has provided a way of escape.

John 3:36 NKJV

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

v. 2) Those on the sea of glass:

mingled with fire: might be a reminder of the fires of judgment. Perhaps the sea is designed to reflect the glory of God. And in chapter 4 its description “like unto crystal” speaks of the holiness of God. Here the sea mingled with fire might speak of divine judgment proceeding from God’s holiness.

because of the images in this chapter are connected with the book of Exodus, some simply see an indication of the color red, with it an allusion to the Red Sea and the deliverance from bondage. Also in this chapter we see plagues, Moses, the tabernacle, and the cloud of God’s glory. This chapter shows the ultimate Exodus, the freedom of God’s people from a sinful and persecuting world.

Those who have victory over the beast: These are those who were victorious over the beast through their faithfulness unto death. They are the tribulation martyrs, described in Revelation 7:9-17.

They are not those who survive the tribulation. As much as we can discern any sort of chronology from Revelation (which is difficult), we are still very much at this point in the tribulation.

Even though the Antichrist kills them, they have victory—they are not the losers. The early church consistently described the day of martyrdom as “a day of victory.”

Standing on the sea of glass: *opinion* This word for on has a decent semantic range meaning on, over or beside. There are many who believe that in the architecture of heaven, the sea of glass is a physical representation of the Word of God, connecting to the idea of the tabernacle’s laver and the washing of the water by the word (Ephesians 5:26). Perhaps we could say that these saints are standing on the Word.

Harps: The only people seen with harps before were the 24 elders (Revelation 5:8). These tribulation martyrs are given the blessing of worshipping God with music in heaven.

Application:

Peer pressure// Mirror dimly, diligent to study

vv. 3-4) The song of their praise:

This song has two titles: the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. The two titles refer to a single song. here is a perfect union between the OT and NT, between law and love. This song is deeply rotted in the OT and gives praise to:

God’s work (Great and Marvelous are Your works).

God’s ways (Just and true are Your ways).

God’s worthiness (Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy).

God’s worship (all nations shall come and worship before you).

Your… Your… You… Your… You… You… Your: these guys get it what it means to worship God. Their only focus is God. Their focus isn’t on the genre of worship, or the presentation… They did not even focus on their own costly and glorious victory.

These saints are rightly and truly worshipping the Lord. Realizing that it is all about God, and not about us.

Reflection: [Challenge]

Again and again, throughout this book, we see that in heaven God’s people actively sing His praise. Worship is a very important component of what we will be doing in heaven. In heaven, God will be worshiped in the right way as He wants to be worshiped. While worship is more than just singing songs, it is a part of it.

So listen to the lyrics and carefully study the content of the songs we sing. As we aim to properly worship God through song.

Here are a few key observation about the worship we see in this passage:

It is very God- centric. Meaning the focus is on God not us.

It mentions what He has done.

It mentions the goodness of His actions.

It mentions who He is.

It encourages everyone to join in praise to God Almighty.

vv. 5-6) Seven angels:

The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven:

Exodus 25:8–9 NKJV

8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.

Hebrews 8:9 NKJV

9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.

Both of these passages remind us that the tabernacle God told Moses to build was based on a heavenly pattern. This is the heavenly reality not the earthly copy.

Seven angels having: These angels bring God’s judgment. It is significant that they came directly from the heavenly temple, from the presence and throne of God. They do not act on their own authority, but God’s.

Pure bright linen: Their clothing is a reminder that God’s judgment is away completely pure and righteous. they are not like the modern anti-hero or vigilante, who sink down to the level of their criminals they fight.

vv. 7-8) The bowls and God’s glory:

Bowls: These bowls are broad, flat bowls or saucers used ritually for drinking or for pouring tribute in sacrifices. The contents of such bowls were quickly, easily, and completely poured out.

Smoke from the glory of God: When the cloud of glory fills the temple in heaven, no one can enter. It was the same when Moses could not enter the Tabernacle when the smoke of the cloud of God’s glory, sometimes called the Shekinah filled the tent:

Exodus 40:34–35 NKJV

34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Notice that both the bowls and the cloud came from the glory of God and from His power. This is a reminder of God’s special presence and glory, even in the midst of devastating judgement.

In addition, this means that judgment is irreversible. Nothing could hinder it any longer, because access to this temple in heaven would not long be denied.

Application: Remember the character of the God you serve. He is not tame.

Application: Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It is a blessing to be allowed into God’s presence. Do not take it for granted Christian, do not waste such a wonderful opportunity.