The Book that Promises a Blessing!

A study of the book of Revelation

by Pastor Frank Rice

Revelation 15:1-8

Very few people like the idea of God being a God of wrath! Most have rejected the biblical record and sought to redefine Him and reconstruct a god with whom they can be happy and live their lives to their own liking. But our likes and dislikes have little to do with reality! We’re intelligent enough to realize that just because we find something objectionable, does not change reality! Right? It is true; God’s faithfulness knows no limits, His forbearance does.  His very nature demands that man’s sin and rebellion be addressed.

v      Note the distinct pattern as God’s judgments are introduced.

1.      They appear in three series of sevens, the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls.

2.      The bowl judgments are announced in chapter 15 and activated in chapter 16. Chapters 17 & 18 survey the damage, and chapter 19 explains what has happened.

 

v      The sign in heaven introduces the angelic septet which is being sent on mission to deliver the judgments (v. 1).

1.      The fact that these are called plagues alerts the reader of a previous time of judgment in Exodus.

2.      This is the third megasign; the radiant woman and red dragon were also megasigns (12:1 & 3). This is the only passage where “great” and “marvelous” appear together (also v. 3)!

3.      We’re relieved to discover that this will be the final series of judgments. In them God will have expended His wrath.

4.      “In the OT the ‘wrath of God’ usually has covenant implications and does not have the irrational connotations that the wrath of the gods often had in the pagan world.” (Osborne)

 

v      The sea of glass in heaven accentuates the glory and majesty of God, and reminds the reader of a previous scene (4:6).

1.      This calls to mind the sea in Israel’s temple (1 Kings 7:23).

2.      The sea is mingled with fire, symbolizing judgment.

3.      “He sees before the throne the likeness of a sea of glass shot through with fire” whose “imagery is suitable for depicting the majesty and brilliance of God.” (Johnson)

4.      The sea is populated by a victorious crowd who’ve prevailed over the beast, his image, his mark, his number and name. These “stress the personal conflict (with the beast), the religious pressure (with his image), and the economic persecution (with the number of his name.” (Osborne)

5.      Death is not the final word for God’s people (Php 1:21!)!

 

v      The song that is sung in heaven is a tribute to Almighty God and His monumental acts of deliverance (vv. 3-4).

1.      The song recalls God’s appointed deliverers, Moses and the Lamb. It’s a song of both gratitude and triumph!

2.      It ascribes greatness, justice, truth, and faithfulness to God for His intervention in delivering the helpless and hopeless victims of persecution (v. 3; Ex 15:1-2, 11-13; Deut 32:1-4)!

3.      It asks a rhetorical question regarding the spiritual sanity of those refusing to recognize and give glory to God for His incomparability, His holiness (v. 4a)!

4.      Note the exclamation AND the question in verse 4; “Who in their right mind would not worship a God like this!?”

a.      His ways are just and true. The media seem to accuse God of incompetence, insensitivity, and unfairness! Worship accentuates His justice and rightness. The fault is with man, not God. He is holy and has repeatedly warned man of judgment.

b.      His weight is impressive! Worship accentuates His importance, heaviness, and glory!

c.      His worship is completely appropriate for He alone is holy!  He is uniquely different. He has manifested His holiness (unapproachable majesty and power) by executing His judgments!

d.      “Not only ample but also extraordinary witness has been repeatedly offered so that those who are the objects of God’s wrath know in advance of the consequences associated with their choices.” (Patterson) See also Rom 1:18 & 32 and in between!

5.      It declares that all peoples shall come and bow down before Him as they recognize these are His judgments (Php 2:9-11). This can mean salvation or destruction (v. 4b)!

 

v      The wrath emanates from the very presence of God (vv. 5-6)!

1.      The call to look or behold something is an alert that something dramatic is happening or about to happen!

2.      The three t-words emphasize God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises (v. 5). God's dwelling place, the holy of holies, is opened! (This is staggering, astounding!)

3.      The ark of the testimony signifies God’s faithfulness in keeping covenant & promises. From here the seven plagues appear.

4.      The angelic attire, from the presence of God, communicates purity (v. 6). They are the agents to execute this wrath.

5.      Seven is the number of completeness. White clothing may also speak of judgment without mercy.

6.      The golden bands announce the rightness of their task.

 

v      The wrath about to be displayed is connected to worship (vv. 7-8)!

1. The four living creatures are associated with wrath (v. 7)! But we thought they were connected to worship (Rev. 4:8).
2. We must never attempt to separate God’s wrath from His holiness! That’s a deliberate distortion of the character of God!
3. “Wrath is a settled disposition of a Holy God against all that is unholy.” It is not an irrational and uncontrolled temper tantrum. 
4. Understanding God’s holiness is essential for comprehending His wrath. His wrath is understood in the context of holiness!
5. The temple in heaven is temporarily closed (v. 8). God doesn’t allow entry until wrath has run its course. In these bowls of wrath “the name of God is vindicated and His glory is demonstrated.” (Osborne)

(a)   Is there no salvation during this time?

(b)   Is there no intercession at this time; is grace not extended?

(c)   Does God grieve over His creation (Gen 6:5-6)? Do we?

 

God is just (Romans 3:25-28)!

He is just when He saves, because His wrath has been satisfied in Christ.  He’s been propitiated! His wrath fell on Christ!  “My God, My God.  Why?”  You’re safe in Christ!

He is just when He judges/ condemns, because He has given plenty of opportunities to repent.