Victorious Jesus
Scripture Text: Revelation 15
One of the greatest facts of worship; is that we congregate together here to come into te presence of God. As Christians, we know that God is with us continually through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But, we come here so that we can not only edify each other; but so that we can dedicate a set aside time to God. Tyndale’s Concise Bible Commentary says that, “Being in the very presence of God is the goal for the exhortations to be “victorious” throughout the book.” In other words, the very reason we worship is to experience God’s presence. I am reminded of Moses; who pleaded with God to show him His glory. It was more than Moses could have ever expected. “The Hebrew word for glory, kabowd, denotes that which surrounds the throne of God the King, plus everything that makes up the Almighty-- his Majesty, his integrity-- indeed, the very power of God. It's more than any human can take (Vernon Whaley, Called to Worship).” But because God's desire is to reveal himself to those who love and worship Him,” God said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He also said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. “Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”" (Exodus 33:19-23, NASB95)
How much do you desire to worship Him? Do you plead for His presence in your life?
(Briefly exposite verse 2). In verse 2, of Revelation 15; we find that the victorious ones that stand up for Jesus are worshiping and singing. The earthly tabernacle that the Israelites worshiped in was only a pattern of “God’s Tabernacle” in heaven.
Revelation 1 says, “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.” Here we find the remaining judgments of God upon the earth. In Revelation 15:5–8 the temple is opened, the four living creatures again appear (cf. 4:6), and the temple becomes unapproachable in God’s judgment glory (cf. Isa. 66:6). Did you know that “Judgment is an expression of God’s righteous character (15:4; 16:7; 19:2).”
How many feel good about God's judgment? Southern Baptist preachers are known to preach ‘fire and brimstone,’ condemning their congregations by the very words of God. But are our feelings about being judged enough reason not to talk about the stark contrasts that we find between ourselves and a holy God?
Revelation 15:4 shows that judgment is an expression of God’s character when it says, “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy (NASB).” So if God is the only Holy One, would it not stand to reason that everything or everyone is in stark contrast to that holiness?
“God’s anger was seen to be not a passion, but a principle—the eternal hatred of wrong, which corresponds with the eternal love of right, and which is only another aspect of love. The magnetic needle swings on its delicate axis; it attracts at one end; it repels at the other.—A. T. Pierson* ”
Whenever we even approach God in worship, we are confronted with the stark reality of His holiness; and our utter helplessness to overcome our sinfulness! In Revelation 16:7, we are reminded that God’s judgments are “true and righteous” Why do we find God's judgment in Revelation? One of the reasons is simply, the existence of his character. But as we shall soon understand; that is to the advantage of the one who worships Him.
When we contemplate the Revelation; it includes not only the consummation of all things; but an understanding of judgment and ultimate victory. The first thing that we find in Revelation 15 is a hint of final judgment. In fact, Revelation 15 “evokes images from the Exodus: the plagues, the sea, the song of Moses, the tabernacle of testimony, and smoke (Tyndale’s Concise Commentary).” Secondly, we find victory in the past experiences of God’s people through the ‘song of Moses.’ And thirdly, we find the ultimate victory realized in Jesus. This whole revelation is about Jesus; the worthy lamb, the roaring lion... God Almighty!
I. Judgment is Going to Be Complete
A. Judgment is Condemning: Again, we arrive at this uncomfortable topic of judgment. When we think about the future, we worry about many things. The world allows us to easily think that these are the greatest difficulties to overcome in our lives. “The destruction of the environment, global warming, political unrest and instability, terrorism, crime, economic and financial collapse, and the continual decline in moral values that destroy all relationships are all causes for concern (John MacArthur, Revelation 12-22).” “But what is truly frightening about the future is not any of those things; what should stop the heart of sinners is what God will do. God’s judgmental anger and fury is a terrifying reality that looms just over the horizon of human history (MacArthur, Revelation 12-22).” Acts 17:31 tells us, “He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead (NASB).” The day of Jehosaphat…or ‘YAWEH judges.’ 2 Timothy 4:1 solemnly charges us to preach the word and be ready in season and out because of “the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:”
Many things in our lives might seem like the pressures we should focus on; but people willfully ignore the reality of God's judgment, not fearing what they should fear. “Jesus exhorted people to “fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28), because “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Ps. 7:11 NKJV). The writer of Hebrews adds, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31) (MacArthur, Revelation 12-22).”
How do you stand before God today? Philippians tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling; so we all know, none of us could ever hope to attain to the glory of God. Romans 3:23 says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Who has fallen short? We all have….
Now, it may have been quite a while since we have been so confronted by the truth of God's holiness, ….and as a result; His judgment…. In fact, even of us who consider themselves the closest to God, sometimes forget that God must be approached in reverence.
"To us, graciousness implies overlooking some petty offense. It means being polite when we could be rude. Maybe we resist slamming on the horn when someone cuts us off in traffic or hold the elevator door open for a frantic businessman. We've you graciousness from our perspective-- one sinner relating to another. God's perspective is different. …. When we sin against God, and all sin is against God, we aren't sinning against someone like us. God is perfect. He is all-good, all powerful, sovereign, and holy. And with each sin, we raise our fists in defiance against him. We assert our authority over his. Because God is holy and just, he must punish sin. He can’t simply “sweep things under the rug” or “forgive and forget.” The entire Bible reveals God's unflinching commitment to the glory and honor of his name. We make a mockery of it when we sin. For that reason, we need to be saved from God's justice. We need to be protected from his fierce jealousy for his supreme and unique glory" (Kauflin, Worship Matters).
“The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions. It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all pleasant forms of iniquity while death draws every day nearer and the command to repent goes unheeded.—A. W. Tozer*”
Of all the concerns that we have in this world, “A further cause for anxiety is the sense of forlorn emptiness fostered by the anti-God philosophy of humanism. For those who believe there is no personal God, there is no one home in the universe, so they have nowhere to turn for ultimate answers, help, or meaning (MacArthur, Revelation 12-22).” Judgment is not only about condemnation though; it's about vindication! There are advantages and blessings to those who worship Him. God's holiness is an advantage to those who obey his word and adoringly love Him. David said, “He restores my soul!”
B. Judgment is Comforting: As we endure the trials and tribulations of this world; we have an invitation to step right into the presence of God. “God uses circumstances as a platform for the growth, maturity, the development of our worship (Whaley, Called to Worship).”
In a story of chastisement; A wise father found it necessary recently to punish his little daughter. Later in the day the little girl, who had been greatly offended at first, came to where he was and, climbing into his lap, threw her arms around his neck, and said: “Papa, I do love you.” “Why do you love me, my child?” the father asked. “Because you try to make me good, papa.” We ought to keep that childlike wisdom throughout all our mature years. If God chastises us it is because He loves us as children, and in all His dealings with us is ever trying to make us good (AMG Bible Illustrations).
Biblical characters of old, Jehoshaphat; whose “worship was developed as the sound of enemy he was heard marching toward his kingdom. Abraham's worship matured as the years slowly ticked by …. and he remained childless. In Joshua's worship grew as he marched, day by day, towards seemingly impenetrable city walls-- with an order from God to break through them. All of the circumstances, on the face of it, were insurmountable. An enemy army that eclipsed the “home team.” A man way past his reproductive prime. And an impregnable, indestructible barrier between the commander-- with thousands of Israelites in his custody-- and victory (Whaley, Called to Worship).” You might think of Job, who was stricken with sickness, peer pressure from his closest family, and condemnation; but in his deepest anguish he worshiped God, and he never lost faith. In this test of Job's faith; Satan wanted to sever the relationship between God and Job and further, rob God of deserving worship. Vernon Whaley writes in his book entitled, Called to Worship, “Satan sought to render Job shamefaced about sins he had not even committed, and to so overwhelm him with shame that he couldn't even call on God. Have you ever heard a Christian say this, “Oh, I am so troubled, I can't even pray” or “I'm so ashamed, I can't even face God!”? That's where the devil one of Job to be: inundated, self conscious, insecure, doubtful of God's love, and riddled with guilt.”
Are you there? What trouble are you facing today? What hardens your heart on a daily basis? So much so, you can't worship the one who loves you so much, that He sent his own Son to die a shameful death on your behalf, so that he could be with you?
Here in Revelation 15:3, it is written, “and they sang the song of Moses, the bond servant of God, ….” This is one of the two songs mentioned in this verse, one being the song of Moses, the other being the song of the Lamb. In this ‘song of Moses’ the people worshiped because they recognized that God had delivered them from impossible odds. So let's take a closer look at the song of Moses….
II. Song of Moses. Most students of Scripture believe that the song of Moses is in reference to Exodus 15. (They sang the song when they saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians. The passages describe how the people feared God and believed in the leading of His servant Moses.)
A. Song or a Prophecy. (Read Exodus 15 and offer commentary on the highlights (Parts that speak of worship and reference that speaks to being God’s redeemed people.) As we read it, we might begin to wonder, is it a song or prophecy. It's interesting how the things spoken in Exodus have become reality in Revelation 15.
B. Relationships Developed. God wants a relationship with you. (Exodus 15:13) So, how will you come to Him? A couple of the lessons that we learn from the song of Moses are that we must crave God's presence; and further, develop our relationship with God.
One of the best things about a relationship, is that it is developed in affirmation. Pavlov dogs helped us to understand that if good behavior is repeatedly re-enforced with reward, then the relationship between dog and man will be in a place of understanding. But, what if the rewarder uncharacteristically gives punishment instead of reward? Then there's a problem…. God will never be out of character!
Hymn writer Will L. Thompson aptly describes a close, intimate friendship with Jesus.
Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, he makes me glad, He's my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;
I trust him now, I trust Him when life's fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life was such a friend, beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy, He's my Friend.
What would the affirmation of Jesus mean to you? Does God's grace and abundant mercy have any calling on your life?
John Trent told the story of Mary, a young girl born with a cleft palate during the 1950s. At the elementary school she attended, “Mary's classmates were teasing her relentlessly. She was not only informed, but she also had hearing loss in her left ear. She'd grown up knowing she was different from every other kid in her school. But Mary had a teacher who showed genuine love the children like her. Her name was Mrs. Leonard, and Mary dearly loved her too. It was common for teachers to give their students in annual hearing exam, called the ‘whisper test.’ The test was usually administered in the front of the class. Each student would stand by the classroom door, turn sideways, and cover one ear. The teacher would then say something to the student, in a soft whisper. In return, the student would repeat the teacher's words or answer a question the teacher had asked. Mary determined to hide her handicap from the other students, pretended to cover her good ear, so she could still hear the teacher. Usually teachers would say such things as, the sky is blue, I like your dress, or what color are your shoes? But Mrs. Leonard changed her words to Mary. What did she say?
“I wish you were my little girl.” and these seven words of affirmation changed Mary's life forever.
The power of spoken affirmation cannot be measured. Words like:
I'm proud of you, good job, you’re the best! I knew you could do it! You are really special to me. I trust you. Well done! These words can change a young person's entire perspective on life, including their vision for the future (Whaley, Called to Worship).
Jesus came to give you such affirmation! Do you recognize the gifts that He has given you? Do you see that he wants a close relationship with you! We can worship Him because we might recognize; just as the Israelites did, that God came to deliver them.
As He says also in Hosea,
“I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, ‘MY PEOPLE,’ AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, ‘BELOVED.’” “AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,’ THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.”
“In Ex. 15, God’s people stood by an earthly sea; but here (in Revelation) it is a heavenly sea. In Exodus, they had been delivered by the blood of the Passover lamb; and here (in Revelation) they overcame the Beast “by the blood of the Lamb” (12:11). Note that they sing not only the song of Moses, but also the song of the Lamb. “The Lamb” is the title of Christ most repeated in Revelation; it is used at least twenty-eight times. We have here a wonderful union of OT and NT, of Moses and the Lamb. God’s Law is being vindicated; God’s grace is at work. The Old and New Covenants are being fulfilled as Christ judges the nations and prepares to reign (Wiersbe, Expository Outlines in the New Testament).”
So what is the other song mentioned in Revelation 15:3? Some of the more memorable passages in Scripture concerning the Passover Lamb are in Isaiah 53:7 which says, “like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so he did not open his mouth.” In Revelation 1:8 we learn that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and then it says “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” So John the Baptist announces in John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! And so now we are transported from the time of Christ’s first ministry, to the future singing of the song. In Revelation 5:9, “they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for you were slain, and purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” And saying with a loud voice in verse 12, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
III. Song of the Lamb
A. Song led by Jesus. “The New Testament song of the Lamb (that is, the song which the Lamb shall lead, as being “the Captain of our salvation,” just as Moses was leader of the Israelites, the song in which those who conquer through Him shall join) is the antitype to the triumphant Old Testament song of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea (Ex 15:1–21) (Jamieson & Faussett, Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on Old and New Testaments.” Are you and overcomer? Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”
Will you follow their example? …. Or will you exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for something else? Paul says that we exalt in the hope of the glory of God. “And not only this, but we also exalt in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for a good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:3-10).”
Romans 8:37 says, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
Someone once said, ….
“I don’t believe that God would create a soul and bring it down to everlasting hell in the end,” someone says. No, my friend, He never did. Look at the man who has just died from alcoholism or a drug overdose. Does it seem strange to you that God would create a physical body and then wreck it like that? “But God did not do it,” you say. “The man defied the laws by which he might have preserved his life.” So it is with the man who chooses the destiny of the wicked. On one particular night a man leaped from a large Cincinnati bridge over the Ohio River, and was drowned. One of his friends heard of his intention, and begged him to stay at home; another caught him and tried to hold him as he mounted the bridge. A policeman even plunged into the water and gave his life trying to keep the man from drowning. The man’s determination baffled all of them. Let me tell you that the sinner who goes down to everlasting death does so in spite of all that God and man could do to keep him from it. He has rejected the pleadings and warnings of his friends, and even pushed aside the outstretched hand of the Christ who died to save him. “He that pursueth evil, pursueth it to his own death” (Prov. 11:19).
So we find kind of a parallel in time here in Revelation 15. “The exodus atmosphere is discernible through the prior mention of “plagues” (15:1), which clearly are modeled after the plagues of Egypt (so chap. 16), and by the subsequent mention of the “tabernacle of testimony” (so Caird 1966: 197). The first exodus, out of Egypt and out from under Pharoah’s tyrannical power, will be recapitulated by divine design in a final, end-time exodus of God’s people out from under the tyrannical oppression and rule of the “beast” over the world (Beale & Carson, Commentary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament).”
It is the realization of the redemptive purposes of God. He loves you and wants to save you! I was reminded last night, that of all the people who ever caught a glimpse of God's glory immediately prostrate themselves…. they bowed down …. they became his servant … they literally, like John; “fell at his feet like a dead man (Rev. 1:17).” How would you respond to the glory of God? Will you respond with worship? Philippians tells us, “so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
“All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God (Psalms 86:9-10).”
“And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one (Zechariah 14:9).”
Heads bowed and eyes closed….
Father,
we know that you are an all-consuming and timeless God,
One who gives and takes away…blessed be your name!
But, we also know that you gave the ultimate gift…. The gift of your Son,
Who was, and is, and is to come!
He died a shameful death on the cross; all for our salvation and for your glory!
May we love you and be obedient as Jesus was. May we be knowledgeable and wise ambassadors for you as we lose our lives in service to you, instead of loving our lives and living for the world.
Lord, keep Satan away as we serve you…deliver us from temptation!
Lord, may you be glorified today! May you be worshipped in both our attitudes and lives.
Amen
