THE LAST JUDGMENTS INTRODUCED
Revelation 15 W. Max Alderman
We are reading and studying the shortest chapter in the Book of Revelation. This chapter certainly is no accident in both its size and in its content. The importance of the Gettysburg Address was not minimized by its shortness. When Abraham Lincoln penned it, he absolutely got to the heart of the message and very eloquently stated his message and by doing so, in a very brief manner, he left an impression that will never be forgotten. It was because he had something important to say.
In this fifteenth chapter the writer, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, had something very important to say and it was thusly said in just a very few words. Chapter fifteen is the prelude to the vial (bowl) judgments and emphasizes the importance of what is about to happen. 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.
"As is the plan of the prophet, he reviews, he recapitulates, he enlarges upon the scene he has already sketched" (Erdman)
The full wrath of God is going to be vividly put on display as He pours out the cup of His wrath. It will be the burning fury of his anger that is being poured out. The meaning of the word wrath will indicate this truth later in our study.
I. THE SIGN BEFORE THE LAST JUDGMENTS. (V. 1)
It was with great wonder that the writer saw that God was going to bring to an end the sinful, worldly system as he meted out his wrath in hot holy anger. The word wrath as used here is the same that we identified in chapter 14 as being a boiling or flaming anger. The Greek word thymos (a volatile, passionate anger) is used here instead of the more common word orge, which carries the meaning of having anger from a settled disposition. Orge is the more common word for God’s anger in the New Testament; thymos is used only 11 times, and 10 of the 11 are in Revelation. The anger of God is being described as being poured from a vial. According to word studies the vials have a flattened out design, much like that of a saucer, which will allow the contents to be released quickly. This again agrees with the defining of God’s judgment as being poured out very quickly. The first verse tells us that, “in them is filled up the wrath of God”. It is an overflowing anger that shows God’s disposition towards sin.
II. THE SINGING DURING THE LAST JUDGMENTS. (Vv. 2-4)
The tribulation saints were rejoicing in their victory, being mindful that the same God who brought the Israelites under Moses victory also had brought them victory. They knew Christ the Lamb as being marvelous and great in His works, and as King they knew Him to be just and true in all His ways.
In verse two those who had gotten their victory over the beast were standing on what appeared as a sea of glass mingled with fire. The word as indicates to us that they are not standing on a literal sea of glass that is mingled with fire. It is really easy to find many suggestions as to what this meant, but I cannot honestly put down what I believe it is, nor can I absolutely suggest what it symbolizes. The Scriptures let us enjoy having a mental picture of what it looked like to see these witnesses standing as having “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name” standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. However, there is no definitive explanation from Scriptures as to the meaning of the sea of glass, mingled with fire description.
May I, with that being said, make some comments regarding the description that we have been given. Considering the reflective qualities of glass and even the way glass is referenced to in the Scriptures as having mirror like qualities, I believe that this is a way that the writer is describing the very large number of people who have been resurrected and have been given glorified bodies. They are standing there with the great glory of God all over them, just like Moses of old, when his face did shine after being with the Lord.
These people, being victorious over death, have lost their earthly qualities and have taken on their heavenly qualities. These who are said to be standing on the glass could have a uniquely prepared place to stand as their faces did shine as fire. Whatever is fully meant, we must agree that it will be a very impressive sight. I must admit that I have done more speculating than I prefer when it comes to the Scriptures. Maybe, we can say this is food for thought.
We noticed this large company standing, now may we look at their singing. They are said to be singing the song of Moses and also the song of the Lamb. Songs are often sung to show identification. For example, when we as Americans hear the National Anthem being sung we stand out of respect and because we are Americans. There are three ethnic groups mentioned in the Bible. There is the Church, the Jew, and there is the Gentile. The Church will not be on the earth during the Tribulation, but the Jew and the Gentile will be. The Song of Moses definitely refers to the Jewish Israelites, while the Song of the Lamb could very appropriately refer to the Gentile converts who were victorious over the beasts. Another consideration involving the songs is that one song is in association with Old Testament Law and the other is in association with New Testament Grace. Here, we have a blend of the two. We have both law and grace or grace and truth. True Spiritual victory will involve the two. Even today, we must acknowledge and respect the law of God and appreciate the grace of God.
The large gathering of people at this time described are standing in the spirit of Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
There singing is attended by the playing of harps. The harps have always had a heavenly significance in the Scriptures. As this great number is assembled, they are giving glory to the Lord as being the means for their victory and also as being the one who will manifest the judgment against the enemy.
III. THE STAGE PRECEEDING THE LAST JUDGMENTS. (Vv. 5-6)
The stage for the following drama is set showing forth the truth that God’s Holiness demands that God’s wrath be on display. The very basis for God’s judgment is God’s holiness. God hates sin.
This judgment scene is depicted in a very similar manner to the way that God revealed His holiness in the Old Testament. Isaiah chapter six specifically comes to my mind prompting me to say that. Notice the wording of this great chapter as it begins:
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 6:1-5).
Isaiah experiences the holiness of God to such a degree that he said, “Woe is me!” Here, as the Lord is preparing to manifest His holiness, John says that he saw the temple of Heaven being revealed. He then saw the way 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”. Everything about this scene emphasizes the holiness of God. As these angels are presenting themselves with the vial plagues, there certainly is impressiveness about all that is going on. This is the beginning of the end of Satan’s wicked run.
IV. THE SEQUEL PRIAR TO THE LAST JUDGMENT (Vv. 7, 8).
The holy tension is mounting as God is soon to release the final seven plagues upon the wicked population of the earth. The earth is soon to recognize the powerful Lord God almighty in all of His glory and power.
As the vials are being given to the angels, smoke begins to fill the temple from the glory of God. The powerful presence of God is being experienced just as it was in Isaiah’s day as the smoke fills the temple. It was the glory of God that caused him to say, “Woe is me!” We should also sense the presence of God as the glory of God begins to fill our places of worship.
God’s holiness and glory certainly go together. This is true in an individual and also in a church sense. For one to experience the greater glory of God, there must be a practicing of holiness. When wickedness replaces holiness, then will judgment follow. 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 are reading this and have never made your call and election sure, why not today?
