In His Good Grace
Notes
Transcript
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! 4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” 5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Introduction:
We begin this section of Revelation by introducing the seven angels who have the seven “last” plagues!
Notice the distinction between the other seven seals, and seven trumpet judgments. These are the last seven.
Some have seen the three sets of judgments as the same just expressed three different ways.
But, there are many differences that must not be ignored.
One of the most unique with this one is how literal it is.
These last seven happen in rapid succession, one after the other, and unlike the first two, there is no pause between the sixth and the seventh.
Mercy is done, and judgment has commenced. We will see this in chapter sixteen.
But the picture we have in this chapter, is one of incredible majesty, holiness, wonder, and relief.
When I say relief, I mean for all of the saints throughout all generations.
For the promise of God to avenge our enemies is here fulfilled!
We do not go around thinking much of vengeance (Hopefully not), because we are not of that spirit. However, God’s promise is that He will take vengeance on our enemies.
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;
To all generations of saints, He has promised that there would be a time when He will judge and take vengeance upon the wicked.
I. In the midst of judgment there is mercy.
I. In the midst of judgment there is mercy.
Notice that the redeemed of the earth stand on the sea of glass mingled with fire.
We know that hell is a place burning with fire, and the wicked will be thrown into a lake of fire.
But there is another idea behind this scene.
These flames are more in line with the refining fire of God.
To purify their works:
13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
To purify their faith:
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
This symbolism of fire mixed in the sea of glass, is synonomous with the baptism of fire John the baptist referred to:
16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
In demonstrating mercy God also keeps His promises.
Every wrong, and every atrocity committed against the saints of God will be dealt with.
When you have been cheated.
When falsely accused.
When abused.
Every solitary act of injustice against you is being stored up for the day of wrath, when God will judge.
And he will judge According to His Law!
The law of God that is, not the law of man.
So, because they are being stored up, and every evil deed will require payment, God ‘s law stands sure.
Just as He told Adam and Eve, in the day that you eat of the forbidden fruit, you shall surely die; Every just punishment will be meted out.
This is the law of God.
The temple and the tabernacle are reminiscent of Leviticus and laws laid out by God through moses.
We should also notice that the redeemed sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb!
II. In the midst of mercy there is judgment.
II. In the midst of mercy there is judgment.
A. The open temple demonstrates transparency.
A. The open temple demonstrates transparency.
Let no one ever say that God did not warn them of the impending judgment!
If God is anything, He is transparent!
These last seven angels, come out of the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven.
Remember the Ark of the Testimony?
33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.
You see, it always resided in the tabernacle.
And what was it?
A remembrance of God’s faithfulness, for in it was the two tablets of the commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded, and Manna from heaven.
And so we see here in Revelation 15 that the place where judgment comes forth from, is the Temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in Heaven.
From this, we understand that the persecution of the righteous is something God holds very dear, and He will publicize this and his disdain for the unrepentant when the day of judgment comes.
B. The smoke filling the temple shows God’s power and majesty.
B. The smoke filling the temple shows God’s power and majesty.
The Temple, the place of worship is closed because of the presence of God, until the last seven plagues have been poured out.
We should think of the temple not in respect of a building, but the fulness of the body of Christ.
We are the temple of God, and as such our constant duty is one of worship.
But as John shows us these scenes in the Heavenlies, he is revealing an important truth about the Character of God - God is for us!
It’s not that worship of God has ceased, but that for a time, attention is given by God on our behalf for the fulfillment of His promises.
This pause is for the duration of the seven last plagues of the fulness of the wrath of God upon the wicked.
III. In the presence of the Lord there is holiness.
III. In the presence of the Lord there is holiness.
The sea of glass mixed with flames, is a clear demonstration of the holiness and purity of God.
“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! 4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”
The song they sing testifies to their dedication to the Lord and His body.
They sing of the Lord’s works.
They sing of the fear of the Lord.
They sing of glorifying His name.
They sing of His holiness.
They sing of all nations worshipping before Him.
They sing of His manifest judgments.
You know, some think that they can live anyway they choose in this life, dishonoring God, and then when they get to heaven, they will be what God desires us to be.
No, these saints have lived a life not of perfection, but of honor and love to the Lord.
I do not see this as legalism but the desire of the one who has been granted forgiveness and mercy through the blood of Christ.
Reasons for living holy lives:
A. Because we are indebted to Him.
A. Because we are indebted to Him.
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
B. Because we are new creatures.
B. Because we are new creatures.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
C. Because we are betrothed to Christ.
C. Because we are betrothed to Christ.
2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
D. Because He has commanded it.
D. Because He has commanded it.
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
Conclusion:
W are of all people in this world, the most blessed and privileged, not because of power, money, or status, but because we are the children of God.
There is much changing in our world today, and very rapidly, and because of which we are concerned and constantly thinking about what this means for our futures and our families.
To me, the change simply means that Jesus is coming soon, and to that I look forward!
I am here to be the light and salt of the earth, and will try to do that to the best of my ability.
I will not occupy my mind with the evil that is around me, but with the word of truth, knowing that I shall shortly be with Him in glory.
And so I leave you with the last verse of the Bible, the last thought, on the mind of John, the one thing to hold onto.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!