Alpha and Omega, Part 43, Revelation Part 20
Heaven’s Praise to God’s Final Preparations
Revelation 15:1-8
Introduction
- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation
-- REM: Redemption of sin is granted through Jesus; and yes, we have a choice
- Last time we explored why the judgement of God is happening
-- Since the beginning of time, man has believed he can control his own destiny
-- We (humanity) have sought to disprove God, and in turn earned His wrath
-- This is why Revelation is so pivotal: it is a warning to all of mankind
- Today, we will examine chapter 15 and see Heaven’s preparation
-- What is critical is to understand what happens and why it applies to you and me
-- APP: These events are the precursor to God’s wrath being poured out
- REM: The tribulation is only 7 years and is divided into two sections:
• First 3 ½ years: are called the beginning of sorrows
• Second 3 ½ years: are called the great tribulation
- I wish we have seen the worst happen already … but we have not
-- I pray that you will hear these words, and be motivated to respond
- Read Revelation 15:1-8 / Pray for wisdom
-- TR: How does Heaven prepare for the judgment of God?
Point 1 – The Beginning of the End
- What we see about to happen in Heaven is the blast of the 7th trumpet
-- REM: 14 judgments have already happened - these are the final 7 judgements
-- During the first 3 ½ years, we saw the seven seal judgments (Rev 6 – 7)
-- During the great tribulation, we saw the seven trumpet judgments (Rev 8 – 14)
-- Then, before the end, there will be 7 more judgments: the bowl judgments
- Focus: This chapter is about Heaven’s preparation for God’s judgment
-- Much like we saw when the seventh seal was opened – it is a sight to see!
-- RE: There was silence in Heaven for about 30 mins, now, there is praise!
- The chapter begins with a sign of God’s judgment being prepared (v1)
-- John describes it as “a marvelous event of great significance”
-- APP: It should conjure reverence in the human heart … why?
- It has a specific purpose: It should stir us to see God for who He is ….
-- Yes, He is a God of love – but a God who is also just in His righteousness
• In His love, you and I were given His Son as a sacrifice for our sinful lives
• His righteousness is about to be displayed, and all of Heaven will witness it
- Who is it against? The ungodly! (Those who refused Christ as their Savior)
-- Consider: Turning your back on the one thing we need from a loving Father
- Humanity has been given warning after warning that God will eventually judge
-- Even Jesus specifically warned about this: Matthew 3:2, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
-- IMP: The course is not a new one and it has all been a lead up to this event
- TR: Might ask yourself why would God want to do this?
Point 2 – The Scene Outside of Heaven’s Temple
- Besides the rejection of His Son, consider what else has been happening ….
-- Believers in the great tribulation will be slaughtered by the Antichrist
- The wrath of God is also for those who’ve died because of their testimony
-- Remember those under the altar from Rev 6 … this is God’s response to them
-- RE: their prayer is to be justified; to have God step in avenge their deaths
-- Truly, this is a proper response from God to the Antichrist’s holocaust
- Take a look at how John explains this event’s preparations (4 things):
1. The martyred believers will be on the sea of glass that is before the throne
-- Revelation 4:6, “In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.”
-- It is shown as mingled with fire: fire of judgment to fall on the ungodly
2. The martyred believers will finally see victory over the Antichrist
-- RE: Those who are true believers (now and then) will not follow the Antichrist
-- They will refuse to worship at his feet or bow to his statue or take his mark
-- Their persecution is for their refusal – and this is God’s response to it
3. The martyred believers will be given harps – given to sooth and relax them
-- They will use these as tools of worship, to glorify what God has done
-- This brings comfort to them, and to others, to worship/focus on God’s rest
-- Perhaps this is where people think Heaven is floating on clouds playing harps?
-- Rather, if you need a spoiler alert, Heaven’s life is described in Ch 21 and 22
4. In Heaven, the martyred believers will sing two great songs of victory
-- They will sing the Song of the Lamb and the Song of Moses
-- Song of Moses was sung by the children of Israel when they crossed the Red Sea
- Turn/Read Exodus 15:1-19 … it is a song of rescue, of deliverance, of PRAISE!
- See WHO they are singing to in Heaven:
• They sing to the almighty, praising His works (v3a)
• They sing to the King of Saints, to the justice and truth of His ways (v3b)
• The sing to the Lord, to the fear and glory of His name (v4a)
• The sing to the holy and just God, for all to come and worship Him (v4b)
- IMP: Those who stand for Jesus will be those in Heaven
-- APP: To be in Heaven, we also must stand up for Christ against all things
-- This includes the attractions of the Antichrist to give us “what we want”
-- Consider: Do we stand firm to stand against the things of a sinful world?
- TR: See how the Bible prepares us to understand the judgment of God …
Point 3 – From God’s Temple comes His Final Judgments
- Must know this: The judgment of God will be sent on the entire Earth
- As this unfolds, four very critical events take place (see it from scripture):
1. The door to the tabernacle is opened (v5)
-- This refers to the “inner sanctuary” taught in the Old Testament
-- It is the most special place of God; where He resides, and His Throne is
-- It is the dwelling place where God resides that is thrown open
2. Then, seven angels come from the Holy Place (v6)
-- APP: They come from God’s presence, where they have been instructed
- Want you to grasp the full impact of this (close eyes & imagine this):
-- These 7 are dressed in pure white linen, a symbol of holiness of Heaven
-- His righteousness, His justice, is about to be levied on the Earth and humanity
-- They possess a symbol of royalty and power (indicated by their gold belts)
-- Their power is given by God, and in their hands is the end of all sinful life
-- They hold in their hands seven plagues that will end all life on Earth
3. Each angel is handed a bowl filled with God’s judgment (v7)
-- The bowls have no lid, no covering, so they can be dispensed quickly
-- Every effort to stop God’s wrath will only result in being soaked in it
-- APP: Nothing will be able to stop the judgment of God from falling on Earth
SOBERING FACT:
- All who refused to drink of the Cup of God’s salvation (yes there is a cup) …
-- Psalm 116:13, “I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.”
- Will drink from the cup of God’s wrath and punishment!
-- Psalm 75:8, “For the Lord holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs.”
- Then, as the wrath of God is prepared to be levied, Re-read v8
4. The entrance to the temple of God, the place where He is, will be closed (v8)
-- Consider this: the entrance to grace & salvation, will now be unpassable
-- None will be able to enter in … Meaning: NO grace from God is available
- Terrifying thought to consider: Forgiveness is no longer available!
-- The judgment of God will fall on every last one who denies Christ
-- BIG: Yes, a loving & righteous God has limits – this is what we see here
- The glory & power of God fills His temple (same vision Isaiah saw in Isa. 6)
-- No one will be able to enter the temple of God to receive forgiveness
-- And it becomes so ferocious and broiling that smoke rises from its energy
-- Why? Because the end of Grace has come; and now, He disciplines humanity
- Jesus summed this up – and John recorded it for our education now
-- John 3:36, “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
BIG IDEA
- Heaven’s preparation to eradicate evil cannot be overstated
-- Truly, the wrath of God will not allow any to escape God’s eye
-- Don’t let this pass you: without Jesus grace, there is no escape for judgment
- APP: We see how God will measure his judgment on an unrepentant creation
-- Do you think that standing before Him He will allow us to slip by?
- If we die without Jesus as our Savior, the judgment is the same:
-- To be discarded from His presence and into the same category as this world
- But there is grace today – found in Jesus – who calls out to you to repent
-- He calls us to a place of eternal rest and protection and forgiveness from our sin
- Let’s pray together … Obedience to God, trust in His eternal reward
