THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 15 –  A Scene in Heaven  – Episode 17

 

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 15 –  A Scene in Heaven

Episode 17

 (These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, ” WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME”)

Chapter 14 gave us the pronouncement of doom and the sentencing of Babylon and the worshipers of the Beast and the symbolism of the reapers of the earth and the great wine press from which the blood of the rebellious flowed as deep as a horse’s bridle is high,(about 5 or six feet deep), and sixteen hundred stadia (which is about 180 miles in length). A lake of blood six feet deep and 180 miles long.

 Now the time has come for the final judgements of God to be poured out. The stage is set, and the scene is as spectacular as it is ominous.

No commentary I could offer would be sufficient to describe or explain this chapter. It is self-explanatory. I stand in awe.

The Scene of Heaven

Revelation 15:1, Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful [a warning of terrifying and horrible events]: seven angels who had seven plagues, (afflictions and calamities), which are the last, because with them the wrath of God is finished, [and is completely expressed and reaches its zenith].

Verse 2. Then I saw something like a sea or large expanse of glass mixed with fire, and those who were victorious over the beast and over his image and over the number corresponding to his name were standing on the sea or large expanse of glass, holding harps of God [worshiping Him]. Verse 3. And they [footnote ‘a’] sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgement],

O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];

Righteous and true are Your ways,

O King of the [footnote ‘b’] nations!

Verse 4. “Who will not fear [reverently], and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]?

For You alone are holy;

For ALL THE NATIONS SHALL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU,

FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS [Your just decrees and judgements] HAVE BEEN REVEALED and DISPLAYED.”

Verse 5. After these things I looked, and the temple, (the sanctuary) of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened, verse 6, and the seven angels who had the seven plagues, (afflictions and calamities), came out of the temple, arrayed in linen, pure and gleaming, and wrapped around their chests were golden sashes. Verse 7. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath and indignation of God, who lives forever and ever. Verse 8. And the temple was filled with [footnote ‘c’] smoke from the glory and radiance and splendor of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. (End of text for this chapter).

The next chapter, 16, brings the end of God’s judgements on the earth. The horrors of these final judgements are unimaginable, and the intensity is palpable. We must remember that God has been patient and merciful over the millennia, but that He is also just and His Justice must be served. God, over the centuries, has sent thousands upon thousands of messengers to warn of what was coming to those who reject Him. For all these centuries, God has pled to all humanity to be redeemed by the sacrifice of His only Son. But the rebellious continue to defy Him and curse His Name.  Now their end is come.

Author’s Note: Rather than just making a statement about God’s gift of salvation, I would like to ask you a question: How does making a statement or a profession of faith, as found in Romans 10 verses 9 and 10, such as, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation”, save you?

Similarly, how does praying a small prayer of faith and repentance, you hear in many churches, save you? Prayers such as, “Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner, and I am sorry. I turn away from my former life and ask you to come into my heart and save me. I now believe by faith that you have, and I thank you for saving me.”

The best answer I can give is akin to Psalms 23 verse 7, “As a man thinks within himself or herself, so are they.” Then the proof of that salvation is found in a change of heart, mind and behavior or works.

Please, dear friends, let’s be certain. Let’s work out our salvation with fear and trembling, then rest upon His Word and promise.

 Your Brother and Friend,

 Mike Young

 Previous: THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 14 –  The Lamb, The 144,000, Doom & The Harvest,  – Episode 16

Next: THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 16 – The Bowls of Wrath & Armageddon  – Episode 18

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