SCRIPTURE: Revelation 15
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. [Revelation 15:1-2]
In the last days, the Lord will send out His angels to unleash His judgment, and to gather His people.
Like the Israelites following Moses, they will make it through the judgment (passing through the Red Sea) and will sing Moses’ song of victory.
But fiery sea of judgment will swallow the wicked, with the beast and its image.
Here again we see the two groups – those that remain true to the Lord and survive the judgment, and those who reject the Lord and are judged.
The angels are sent to unleash the judgment, but also to protect the Lord’s people.
“Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. [Matthew 24:29-31]
Here again we see the judgment, the angels, and the rescued ones.
The last days will be frightening days of fire and judgment, but those that trust in the Lord and submit to Him will pass through to the other side.
And they will sing the song of victory, gathered by the Lord and His angels to enter into the eternal land of rest (for which OT Israel was a symbol).
I do not know how all this will pan out in detail, but in basic terms: when the time is right, the Lord will return, send out His angels to gather His children and to unleash His judgment against the wicked.
I am very hesitant to say who will be saved and who will not; I only know that it will be based on justice and mercy, and that there will be many surprises.
God knows those who are truly humble and sincere and confident in Him (not themselves), He will judge rightly.
I also believe that some kind of judgment is necessary, to deal with the horror or sin and of selfish sinners who refuse to repent.
The final days of judgment will not be pleasant, but those who cling to the Lord through those times will be protected by His angels, and escorted to the other side, where they will sing of song of Moses:
“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” [Revelation 15:3-4]
PRAYER:
Lord, I do look forward to the eternal rest, but I do not look forward to the days leading up to it. Give me strength to endure, and hope to carry on.
The plagues, the judgements of God will come. His people will see the judgements and will be present. Yet they will sing His praises about the glorious things He has done. And the seven plagues are still yet to come.
Amid our toil and tribulation, we must yet sing to the Lord for He has done mighty things for His people. As I live this day for Jesus I must certainly sing His praises because He has been faithful and brought me thus far and also look for him along the way because He is with me always. Do I have the eyes to see Him as my protector, and Guide going before me, behind me, beside me, surrounding me? Great is our God and greatly to be praised.
1. The church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
2. Elect from every nation,
yet one o’er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
3. Though with a scornful wonder
we see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.
4. Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till, with the vision glorious,
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
5. Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.