The End Times as God Reveals Them Pt. 48 A Pause for Praise

We move into Revelation 15 which is a relatively  short chapter. This is an interlude where seven more angels are introduced into John's End Times vision. These are the angels that will usher in the final seven judgments from God. It was the sounding of the 7th trumpet that leads us to these 7 angels. 



A Great & Marvelous Sign in Heaven.

Revelation 15:1  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 saw another sign that refers to an unusual event portending remarkable events that are going to happen soon. The word "great" means that which is weighty, of monumental impact and of utmost importance. The word "marvelous" means that something is so unique that it surpasses our ability to comprehend it. 

Job 5:8-11  I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: 9) Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: 10) Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: 11)  To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. 

The only other place that speaks of the great and marvelous things of God is the book of Job. The patriarch expressed his intention to continually seek God and to bring his burdens to the Lord in prayer. Job then noted some of the works of God that he considered great and marvelous. 

He spoke about the water cycle and how God established it to support life on earth through the water cycle process of evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. God set this process in order and it works flawlessly to support life on earth. 

Then, Job looked at God's providential care of mankind. The Lord will lift up those who are low or those who are grieving. He will set them up on high and exalt them for His glory. 

What makes this sign great and marvelous? The seven angels who will carry the seven final judgments. When the angels pour out the wrath of God upon the world, He will be satisfied and His vengeance will be complete upon all who reject His Son, Jesus Christ. 

A plague can be a heavy blow, a serious wound or a public affliction of some sort. The seven final plagues are going to contain each of these aspects. The seven plagues represent a final, devastating knockout blow from God against the devil, the antichrist and the false prophet

Now the Sea of Glass is mixed with fire.

Revelation 15:2  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. 

John saw a vast body of people standing on a glass like sea at the throne of God. The first time that we learned about the sea of glass John described it as being like crystal, clear and luminous. No people were standing on the sea of glass at that time.

However, this sea is infused with fire and has a multitude of people standing upon it. It reminds us that the people standing on it went through daunting, fiery trials for believing God's Word. Who are these people? They are tribulation saints who will be martyred for their faith and will be resting from their labors (See Revelation 7:9-17). 

The Songs of Moses and of the Lamb are sung.

Revelation 15:3-4  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. 

What will this vast throng of saints be doing? They will be raising their voices in praise and worship. All of the redeemed will be singing two distinct songs on that day: the song of Moses from Exodus 15 and a song of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. 

The Greek word translated "sing" is part of the word "adoration." The act of adoration is specifically defined as offering worship and praise to the One, true God of Heaven. 

The word translated "song" is carried directly into English as the word "ode." An ode is a short poem that is set to music. It is marked by having a sublime sweetness and a sacred worship text dedicated to the Godhead. 

We do not have all of the text for both hymns but we do have an introduction that tells us the subject matter of their words of praise. They will sing about the great and marvelous nature of all the works of God from creation to redemption. 

They will address the Lord God Almighty and this Divine name is used 5 times in Revelation and is not used anywhere else in the Bible. 

He is LORD of all creation.

Psalm 121:2  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

The name "Lord" indicates that God is the rightful owner and master of all things He created. He is sovereign in the administration and oversight of all His creation. The Psalmist reminds us that Jehovah is who we turn to for help when we are in need. 

He is the Living God

Psalm 42:2  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 84:2  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

The name "God" refers to the Godhead, the One, True, Living God of heaven and earth. Idols have eyes that do not see, ears that cannot hear and mouths that do not speak. They have arms, hands and legs but cannot move. God is the living God who is the sole source of all life and who gave life to all living things. 

The name "Almighty" describes the omnipotent power and absolute authority that belongs to the Godhead. 

The songs sung by the tribulation saints will praise God for always doing that which is right and saying that which is truth. They will praise God for being the King of saints and I am sure that John was filled with great joy when he saw all the splendor, glory and majesty of God in heaven as he contemplated that he would join them someday soon after he finished writing Revelation. Remember, John was nearly 100 years old at this time and was the last of the apostles still living.

The worship songs will include doing something that all believers should be doing right now: fearing God and seeking His glory, worshiping Him for His holiness. The chorus of praise will end by declaring that all nations will come and worship before God when His judgments are manifest. 

Christ will be exalted and all will bow down to Him.

Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Paul gives us a glimpse of what it will be like when the nations assemble before the God that they rejected. They will see Jesus Christ exalted in the highest and His name will be above all other names. Every single person will bow down before Christ. Every mouth will confess that He is Lord and the Father will be glorified

What a day this will be! All sinners, Christ rejecters, atheists, and obstinate people will bow down in humility and will agree that Jesus Christ is Lord, king, and Creator of all. Then, they will be dismissed to eternal condemnation in judgment. 

He is the Almighty God.

Psalm 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Almighty God is the place of shelter and refuge for all believers. He will keep the sheep of His pasture in safety and will lovingly sustain them.

Isaiah 13:6  Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

The Day of the LORD is going to come and no person, government or world leader will be able to withstand His judgment. 

2 Corinthians 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

The Almighty God promises to be a father to each born again child of God. He will adopt all believers into His family. He will be our Father. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We have tracked the ongoing destruction and judgments from God. We all know by now that this is going to be a horrendous time to live on earth. We know that a global government led by the unholy trinity of Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will emerge to usher in an explosion of sin and idolatry.

Thus, it is so fitting to see what is going on in heaven as final judgments are rendered upon unbelievers. The song of Moses and a song of the Lamb of God are going to be sung in the halls of heaven before the final judgments ensue.

We were reminded of the Divine name Lord God Almighty and of some of the implication for us. These are great names of blessing, promise, hope, great power and protection for the saints from the Lord God Almighty. 

If you have never thought about your need of salvation, place your trust in the Lord now while you have time and opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel of Christ. Believers, let your heart be encouraged because Jehovah is going to do everything that He promised to do. May our Great God use us to bring honor and glory to His name.

Bob 





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