Temple Baptist Church - 8-1-2021
Revelation 15:1-4
Introduction
A. Chapter 15 of the Book of Revelation is the shortest chapter in the book. It, like the Minor Prophets, is not short because of lack of importance. It is important for you and me to know what is happening in heaven during the Tribulation Period.
B. During this seven-year period, we will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We will also have some knowledge of what is transpiring on earth. This brings us to the question: “Do God’s people in heaven know what is happening upon earth?” Let me answer this way: yes and no. I do not often used oxymorons but, in this case, “Yes and No” is the right answer.
1. No. We will not know of all the sufferings, sinfulness, disappointments, discouragements of our loved ones on earth. That would bring heaven’s perfection down to the level of this ungodly world. Heaven will be a wonderful, perfect place of joy and peace.
2. Yes.
a) We will know when a sinner becomes a saint on earth through the new birth.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
b) We will know to some degree what transpires upon earth concerning the righteous judgment of God upon the ungodly. I do not presume to know that extend but these verse tend to say that there is some degree of knowledge.
Revelation 6:9-10 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
C. Verse 1. The seven angels are now ready to aid God in the judgment of those who have rejected the gospel and aligned themselves with the world’s system. God’s judgment will be both appropriate and timely!
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
You “be still and know that I AM GOD!” BECAUSE “I will be exalted among the heathen … I will be exalted in the earth!” Trust in the Lord with all your heart because He is still able to do all things.
D. These seven last plagues (God used plagues to judge Egypt and deliver Israel) which the angels hold will be so terrible as to fill up or complete the wrath of God against this wicked world. “To fill up” means to complete, be concluded, to satisfy the wrath of God upon this sinful, cursed world. The number “7” is the bible speaks of completeness or perfection.
1. These seven plagues are called great because God’s judgment will transcend all judgments in the past. When we study the bible, we see the greatness of God’s power in judgment but these last plagues will be the greatest ever seen on earth.
2. These seven plagues are called marvelous because of its supernatural nature. Never has there been such a thing happen on earth including the universal flood of Noah’s day. These plagues will be things that only God can do. They will not be natural phenomenon.
E.Verse 2. We see in heaven a sea like unto glass. What a beautiful sight it would be to look out over the Atlantic Ocean and see its surface perfectly flat, made like unto glass, reflecting the glory of the sun or moon.
Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
F. This sea of glass will be mingled with fire. Possibly relating to the “fiery trials” that have befallen these Tribulation Period saints who have suffered the loss of their lives. Fiery trials have always been a way of life to God’s people. These saints have gotten victory over the beast, not defeated by the beast.
I want to use a verse written to the “strangers scattered” or dispersed Jews who paid a terrible price of their stand for Christ. These tribulation saints will die for their faith!
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
G. Here we find a four-fold victory achieved by these martyred saints:
1. Victory over the beast –the political system of antichrist on earth. The end-time socialistic dictatorship under Antichrist will not tolerate disobedience of any form! These tribulation saints will put their faith in God instead of faith in Antichrist and his ungodly political system. Instead of looking to the political system, they will look to God for provision and the necessities of life.
2. Victory over his image – failure to worship the political system on earth. In chapter 13, we find that the people on earth were commanded to bow to an image just as the three Hebrew children were commanded to bow to the image in their days. These tribulation saints will bow only to Christ!
Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Philippians 2:10-11 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.
3. Victory over his mark – failure to take the mark of the political system on earth. The end-time government will attempt to force compliance. We are getting a small taste of this in our day. These tribulation saints will starve before they die!
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
4. Victory over the number of his name – failure to identify with the political system on earth. God’s children are to obey government if that obedience does not contradict scripture, but our obedience does not mean that we identify with government. We, as God’s children, are not to identify to an ungodly government. We have to live in this world and should strive to live a life acceptable unto God and visible to men! These tribulation saints made little effort to hide their Christianity!
H. Verses 2-4. These martyrs are given harps, instruments used to worship God. What a thrill, what a position. They use these harps to sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. The content of their songs:
1. The Song of Moses (this is not the song of victory found in Exodus, chapter 15, which was a song of victory) is about the Nation of Israel and is found in Deuteronomy 32:1-43, just prior to his death on Mount Nebo. God told Moses what to write and to teach it to Israel before his death in Deuteronomy 31:19-22. Then Moses commanded the Levites to put the book into the Ark of the Covenant as a witness against the people.
The Song of Moses prophesied of Israel’s departure from God to follow the gods of Canaan, His judgement upon Israel for their sin, God’s faithfulness to Israel, and Israel’s restoration back to God.
This song is prophetic of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, national blindness and judgment, and restoration at the end of the Tribulation Period.
2. The Song of the Lamb is about the Tribulation Saints who overcome the beast through rejection of the mark and, ultimately death.
3. Both songs hold the same truths:
a) God’s glory is found in His works. “Great and marvelous are thy works” –
Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
b) God’s glory is found in His Person. “Lord God Almighty” Lord, His supremacy; God, His Divinity; Almighty, His sovereignty.
Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
c) God’s glory is found in His Holiness. “Just and true are they ways” God is impeccable and immutable. In Him is no darkness at all and all His ways and works are righteous.
Psalms 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
d) God’s glory is found in His Position. “thou King of saints” King of kings and Lord of lords, He is our Sovereign for eternity.
J. Verse 4 also gives a prophetic picture of the Millennial Reign of Christ:
1. The Fear of the Lord. “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord,” During the Millennial Reign of Christ, He will be feared as he rules with a rod of iron from the throne of David.
2. The Glory of the Lord. “and glorify thy name?” During the Millennial Reign of Christ, His name will truly match His position: King of kings and Lord of lords.
3. The Holiness of the Lord. “for thou only art holy:” During the Millennial Reign of Christ, righteousness will reign on this earth.
4. The Worship of the Lord. “for all nations shall come and worship before thee;” During the Millennial Reign of Christ, all nations will bring their offerings to Christ.
5. The Judgments of the Lord. “for thy judgments are made manifest.” During the Millennial Reign of Christ, justice will be swift and appropriate!
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