Revelation, Part 29
Revelation 15:1-8
Introduction
Tonight, we examine a glimpse of Heaven again where things are now calm.
We are seeing another example of worship in heaven, and again I say that this ought to being to us a sense of wonder and awe.
When any person gets an opportunity to look into the majesty of Heaven, any Christian should be encouraged, excited, and looking forward.
Tonight, we take a look at one of the shortest chapters in the Book of Revelation, and I think we will be able to get through all of it in the time we have together.
Read Revelation Chapter 15
Pray
Point 1 – Seven Angels (v1-2)
John is preparing to see the final victory of God over Satan.
John is seeing 7 angels who are prepared to pour out God’s vengeance and anger onto an Earth that has turned its back on Him for far too long.
As we discussed this morning – we are at an impasse in our lives. We are at a time where we can no longer afford to merely watch the world go by – but we have to take a stand and be responsible for acting for God.
Last week we talked about other angels whose sole purpose was to reap from this Earth – and these angels here have a job as well.
They are destined since the beginning of time to pour out God’s judgment, and unless we act to bring more souls into the Kingdom there will be that many more destroyed in this time of destruction.
These angels John is seeing are the third set of angels.
The first was of the churches – angels that protected each church
The second was the trumpets – angels that proclaimed God’s wrath
And these angels hold in their hands God’s bowl judgments.
At this time in history, most of God’s people are either dead or in complete hiding, and this judgment is meant to seek out those who are responsible for their persecution and for their willful disobedience to God.
John again reminds us that there is a crystal sea in heaven (Rev 4), but the appearance of this sea is slightly different.
If you notice it has a reflection of fire in it – and this fire represents God’s wrath and anger which has been directed at the Earth.
Totally different from the calm crystal sea, this sea represents how God is feeling at that very moment, and His anger is being directed at the Earth.
Victory is a very unique word used in the Bible to describe good overcoming evil.
There is no other victory than that of Jesus Christ over Death, Hell, and the grave – and those who chose Jesus over taking the Mark of the beast will be victorious in Heaven.
Those who lost their lives in Rev 6:9-12 have already received their reward – so this victory is for those who were reaped from the Earth in Rev 14. This second part of the Tribulation has to do with results of the 144,000, the 2 witnesses, and the angels who reaped the harvest.
These Saints are those who have had victory in the 2nd half of the Tribulation.
These Saints are standing on the sea of glass – above the fire and purification from God and before the throne.
Point 2 – The Song of Victory (v3-4)
Look at the praise going on – remember that these Saints have lived on the Earth during the Tribulation and they have seen the destruction that becomes of those who follow evil.
Think for a second on your own life – is there a song of worship you can sing? Is there a song of praise that you could offer to the Lord today?
Re-read verses 3-4 – discuss the wording.
Point 3 – The Seven Bowls (v5-8)
After the worship was over, the angels came from the temple on God’s orders to do one thing they were created for – to serve God and carry out God’s will.
THAT is the definition of a “servant”. (Expound …)
The living creatures are around the throne, and one of them hands out the bowl judgments that will be poured out on the Earth.
Today, the church needs to understand that these judgments have already been ordered and the day is coming for them to be given – unless we act more will face the wrath of God.
Notice at how the temple was filled with smoke.
This temple is the temple of God – the place that represents all that God is.
We discussed several chapters ago about John seeing the Arc of the Covenant in this temple, and I believe this is where God is today.
This is the holiest of holies – and the smoke is God’s anger filling the temple.
Solomon saw the “Glory of the Lord” filling the earthly temple in 1 Kings 8:9-13
READ 1 Kings 8:9-13
When this filling happened, the temple was dedicated to God’s service.
Application:
Could this not be a direct representation of the temple that is within you?
God has already filled the earthly temple (the Holy Spirit in you) – and from that we are called to act. John is now seeing the earthly temple in Heaven.
Rev 15 is a unique pause in heaven where everything in creation has paused to watch God – to awe and worship him at His temple.
At this time in heaven no one is able to enter the temple (during the tribulation), and it remains that way until after God’s wrath is completed.
Something good is on the way though – at the end of the seventh bowl judgment Jesus returns to the Earth as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
This evening, we have the opportunity to focus – to focus our hearts intently on worshiping the Savior. This morning we nailed some things to the cross in a sign of confession – and tonight we can build on that.
Would you be willing to focus your intentions to serving Jesus tomorrow? His return is imminent … we MUST be ready.
Pray
Research provided by TruthNet.org
