Daily Bread 2011 - Revelation 15
Seven Angels With Seven Plagues
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
4 Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
What Does This Mean?
One of the challenges in the book of Revelation is that certain scenes recall earlier depictions, and one wonders if, for instance, this is new series of judgments, or referring the past scenes of chapters 4, 8, 12, and 14. The passage seems to indicate that these are similar judgments, but are not the last judgments. And now instead of the prayers of the saints (likely to include the 144,000 martyrs of the previous chapter) rising up to heaven as in chapter 8, now those who have conquered the beast are in heaven and singing songs of deliverance reminiscent of Moses God’s servant in the Old Testament.
This gives us insight into one of the things we will be doing in heaven, worshipping God in the fullness of the knowledge of who He is. The fire in the scene may well represent the fire of judgment that these martyrs have escaped out of, which is symbolism for God’s judgment in other passages. Finally, they are singing a “new song”, which is referenced in the previous chapter in 14:2-3. Having gone through the fire, they are able to sing the new song of deliverance that Moses sang when he went through the Red Sea.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Although we all struggle in this life with circumstances and our old and stubborn sinful nature that seems to plague us despite our best efforts to lead a life pleasing to God, there is an aspect of worship in which we celebrate the victory is ours over our enemy. The enemy has been defeated and one day his defeat will be final. As we look forward to this day, our new song will be one of deliverance.
Though we cannot always see this deliverance, this book helps us to anticipate the final victory we will have one day. As we sing, “One day every tongue will confess you as Lord, one day every knee will bow, but still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose Him now.” The power of worship, which is why it is important to be consistent in our attendance, is that we sing of the victory that is ours in Christ. As we worship in Spirit and in Truth, we are declaring what things will be like, and it is truly a foretaste of the feast that will come. The next time you come to a worship service have this mindset and see if it doesn’t change the way you experience worship.
Heavenly Father, you are so amazing and there are not words to describe your power and glory and might, but you give us glimpse of your glory as we gather in Your name. Help us to neglect meeting together to hear Your Word and worship the One who was, and is and is to come. Give us glimpses of your glory so that this hope will help us to persevere when we are challenged with the many trials of this world. In Your Son’ s name, Amen.
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
4 Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
What Does This Mean?
One of the challenges in the book of Revelation is that certain scenes recall earlier depictions, and one wonders if, for instance, this is new series of judgments, or referring the past scenes of chapters 4, 8, 12, and 14. The passage seems to indicate that these are similar judgments, but are not the last judgments. And now instead of the prayers of the saints (likely to include the 144,000 martyrs of the previous chapter) rising up to heaven as in chapter 8, now those who have conquered the beast are in heaven and singing songs of deliverance reminiscent of Moses God’s servant in the Old Testament.
This gives us insight into one of the things we will be doing in heaven, worshipping God in the fullness of the knowledge of who He is. The fire in the scene may well represent the fire of judgment that these martyrs have escaped out of, which is symbolism for God’s judgment in other passages. Finally, they are singing a “new song”, which is referenced in the previous chapter in 14:2-3. Having gone through the fire, they are able to sing the new song of deliverance that Moses sang when he went through the Red Sea.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Although we all struggle in this life with circumstances and our old and stubborn sinful nature that seems to plague us despite our best efforts to lead a life pleasing to God, there is an aspect of worship in which we celebrate the victory is ours over our enemy. The enemy has been defeated and one day his defeat will be final. As we look forward to this day, our new song will be one of deliverance.
Though we cannot always see this deliverance, this book helps us to anticipate the final victory we will have one day. As we sing, “One day every tongue will confess you as Lord, one day every knee will bow, but still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose Him now.” The power of worship, which is why it is important to be consistent in our attendance, is that we sing of the victory that is ours in Christ. As we worship in Spirit and in Truth, we are declaring what things will be like, and it is truly a foretaste of the feast that will come. The next time you come to a worship service have this mindset and see if it doesn’t change the way you experience worship.
Heavenly Father, you are so amazing and there are not words to describe your power and glory and might, but you give us glimpse of your glory as we gather in Your name. Help us to neglect meeting together to hear Your Word and worship the One who was, and is and is to come. Give us glimpses of your glory so that this hope will help us to persevere when we are challenged with the many trials of this world. In Your Son’ s name, Amen.
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