The Beginning of the End
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Tonight, we are in the shortest chapter in the book of Revelation.
Chapter 15 begins the preparation for the last seven vials. The wrath of God began with the seven seals of chapter 6, and will be finished with the last seven vials.
Chapter 15 is an introduction to these last seven and final plagues on mankind.
These judgments will be the most horrific that the world will ever know. They are similar, yet, different than the Trumpet Judgments. The Vial Judgments will not be partial, but complete and they will directly inflict pain upon the people of the earth.
Chapter fourteen gave a brief panoramic view of what was going to take place right up unto the end, whereas this chapter takes the larger generic view and brings it to the more refined fuller view.
The details of judgment are about to be spelled out and enlarged upon.
The Vision of Wrath
The Vision of Wrath
1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
John sees another sign in Heaven. This word “another” means “another of the same kind as before.”
This is the third sign of three great signs in Heaven: the sun-clothed woman (Israel); the great red dragon (Satan); and now, seven angels with the seven last plagues. They will be marvelous which means they will pass human comprehension. They will be great.
Just think for a moment, the same beings who care for and minister to God’s people, the same beings that the world loves and talks about so affectionately, will be the same beings that will bring God’s wrath to this sinful, wicked world.
The judgments in this series will be greater in intensity and severity. In fact, the word “plague” literally means a blow or wound. They are not epidemics, but powerful, deadly blows that will smite the earth with a fatal impact.
In these plagues, the wrath of God is filled up. The words “filled up” mean “completed.” God’s wrath will be completed.
This phrase translates the Greek verb “telos”. This is the same word used by Jesus when He was dying on the cross. Just before He died He cried, “It is finished”, John 19:30.
The word is very expressive and it was used in many ways in that society.
• Servants used it when they had completed an assignment.
• Priests used it when they had located a worthy animal to be used as a sacrifice.
• Farmers used this word when a perfect specimen had been born into their flock.
• Artists used it when they had put the finishing touches on a work or art.
• Merchants used it when a deal had been struck. Often your receipt would contain this word. It meant that the debt had been paid in full.
• Soldiers used it when they placed their foot on the neck of a vanquished foe.
• Homeowners used it when they had paid the last payment on their mortgage. They would often inscribe the word of a plaque and nail it to the front of the house, revealing to all that the final payment had been paid.
Jesus used this word on Calvary to let everyone know that He had finished the Father’s work and that redemption’s price has been fully and finally paid. Praise God, salvation is finished! It is used here to signify completion as well. When these seven last plagues are poured out, God’s judgment on this world will be finished.
The fact that they are called the last plagues implies that the preceding trumpet and seal judgments were also plagues expressing God’s wrath. God’s wrath extends throughout the entire Tribulation Period, not just the last half.
The fact that these plagues are last also indicates the chronological sequence of the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments.
Henry Morris wrote, “These seven last plagues are the greatest plagues. The seals visited great plagues upon the earth, the trumpets still greater plagues, but these are the greatest and most awesome of all.”
These angels will come from the presence of God with the seven vials of the wrath of God. These angels will serve God in carrying out the last judgments on the world.
Herbert Lockyer reminds us, “Out of the temple of old, priests came as ministers of grace. But now, angels emerge as ministers of judgment.”
These angels carry with them the seven vials of the wrath of God Almighty!
The Vision of Choirs
The Vision of Choirs
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Even as Heaven prepares to unleash judgment upon the earth, there is rejoicing in Heaven.
I praise the Lord that there is a land that is free from the cares, sins and sufferings of this world. Every time we are privileged to look into Heaven, we see the same thing: we see the saints of God rejoicing in the presence of their Redeemer.
This vision is no different. Here we find a worship service happening!
Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name are standing on the sea of glass and holding harps of God.
This sea of glass is like a tranquil sea reflecting the throne of God, shining with all the reflected glory and light of God Himself.
These are the Tribulation martyrs standing and singing for the glory of God. The sea of glass is mixed with fire to symbolize God's judgment and justice.
God’s wrath is swirling below, but they are not afraid, they are singing. The reason these saints are singing instead of fainting is because of their relationship with God through Christ.
You don't have to fear the judge when you are best friends with Him.
These Tribulation saints lift their voices in song to praise the God Who redeemed their souls. We are told that they sing two songs. They sing the “song of Moses” and they sing “song of the Lamb.”
The Song of Moses is found in Ex. 15.
Ya’ll remember last Sunday, I told you it’s the first song in the Bible. The Song of the Lamb is the last song recorded in the Bible.
The Song of Moses was sung by the children of Israel when they had been delivered from Egypt and Pharaoh. The Song of the Lamb is sung by the saints of God when they are delivered from Antichrist.
The Song of Moses was sung by the Red Sea. The Song of the Lamb is sung on the glassy sea.
The Song of Moses was to praise God for bringing His people out. The Song of the Lamb is sung to praise God for bring His people in.
Both songs are songs of redemption and praise for the God Who excels in delivering His people from sin and sinners.
Let’s take a moment to examine this song.
In v. 3 They Sing Of His Works—They sing of the God Who works in power and moves in glory.
In v. 3 They Sing Of His Ways—They sing of the God Who’s ways are always right and just.
In v. 4 The Sing Of His Wonder—They exalt His greatness and magnify the God Who alone is worthy to be praised!
In v. 4 They Sing Of His Worship—They sing of the God Who is worthy to receive and will receive the worship of all mankind.
In v. 4 They Sing Of His Wrath—They sing of the God Who alone is worthy to judge sin and sinners because He alone is holy and just.
These saints have been through a terrible time, but they found God to be a faithful God. He saved them. He kept them. He carried them home to glory. And, they stand in His presence and lift their voices in song to the God of their salvation...
The Vision of Angels
The Vision of Angels
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
The final thing that John sees is seven angels who emerge from the very throne room of God.
Verse 5 says they came from the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony. This is like the Holy of Holies in the OT tabernacle where the ark of the covenant was kept. So, these angels step from the place of absolute holiness to execute judgment upon the place of absolute wickedness.
Seven angels appear out of the Temple in Heaven.
They are clothed in “pure and white linen”. This signifies their holiness and it reflects the holiness of the One they serve.
They wear “golden girdles” around their chests. This speaks of the majesty and glory of the God they serve.
These angels have in their hands the seven last plagues that will be poured out on the earth.
The beast that handed the vials overs to the angels is the one of the four beasts we met in Rev. 4:4–8. They exist to glorify the God of all creation.
Verse 8 tells us the Temple that was standing open has been closed. No one is allowed to enter because it is filled with the glory and presence of Almighty God.
This image indicates that the day of mercy is passed. The door will be opened again during the Millennium, but it has been closed for the duration of the Tribulation and will not be opened!
Man’s access into grace and salvation has been forever cut off. The door has been closed and God is going to judge sinners and there is nothing they can do to stop Him.
It is too late to pray. It is too late to repent. It is too late to change. It is too late! There is no more hope, no more grace and no more opportunity. The door is shut just like it was shut that day on the ark!
Conclusion
Conclusion
This chapter serves as an introduction to the most intense time of the tribulation.
It will certainly be a time of Jacob’s trouble.
If you have never made your call and election sure, why not today?
Today, God is offering salvation to whosoever will come to Jesus. In that day, He will offer salvation to no one. All He will give then is judgment, wrath and damnation.
Get in while the door is still open!