Jump Start # 3777
Revelation 15:1 “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.”
Our verse today, nearing the end of this great visionary message for the suffering saints, introduces the seven bowls of wrath which will be poured out in the next chapter. The bowls represent God’s wrath. God’s judgment is righteous and the wicked, as the text says, “They deserve it.” God was lowering the boom on the wicked who have afflicted and killed the righteous of God. The angels pouring these bowls come straight from God’s presence in the temple of the tabernacle, or we’d call it the most holy.
The pain suffered by these various bowls of wrath was intense. The sun would scorch them. Waters became like blood. They would gnaw their tongues because of the pain. Chapter sixteen ends with these words, “its plague was extremely severe.”
Reading through this, most would think how terrible all of this is. Yet, our verse, opening the chapter describes this great sign as “marvelous.” It would be terrible for those who followed the beast. It would be horrific for those who punished the saints of God. But, for God’s people, this is an answer to prayer. This is justice served. This is victory in Heaven. It is marvelous.
Immediately we ought to notice a few lessons here:
First, the world and the Lord do not see things the same way. These plagues would be devastating to the ungodly, yet to God’s people they are marvelous. But, it’s more than just this. What the world calls success, is defined in money, name brands, popularity and fame. God considers success as one who walks with Him. A poor righteous man is much more successful to the Lord than a famous rock star or high dollar athlete who ignores the Lord. The world and the Lord do not see things the same way.
Second, the joys of this world are nothing like the blessings of Heaven. The Revelation letter is not about how to get by here on earth. It’s not about how to make life easier, nicer or find joy here. The message over and over is about Heaven. The doors of Heaven are opened. Messages come from Heaven. Signs from Heaven. Angels from Heaven. The powerful Romans thought they had the world by the trail. They could conquer anyone. They had wealth like no one else. But, none of that lasted. Oh, we can get so caught up in today that we forget about tomorrow. The filled scheduled of now can take our eyes off of the blessings of Heaven.
Third, while these struggling Christians were powerless to change the destiny of a world power, God wasn’t. And, sometimes what we face is greater than we are. Cancer. Family trials and troubles. Turmoil in our hearts. We can feel overwhelmed and even defeated. Those early Christians had no defense against an oppressive government. There was little they could do. But, God can do all things. The king’s heart can be moved by God, the Scriptures tell us. God raises up kings and removes kings. God doesn’t need a fleet of chariots. God doesn’t need a vast army. The angels of God have proven that. A boy with a rock, brought down a warrior giant. God took care of Pharaoh’s mighty army without firing a shot. He enclosed water around them and that was it. God has scared armies by sounds in the night. God has opened prison doors and allowed His people to walk right past guards.
By ourselves, we are helpless. But, greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world, John writes. This same John, was shown terrifying dragons, beasts with multiple heads, locusts that fly out of the abyss. But, he was also shown the saints of God surrounding the throne in Heaven. He was shown the victorious saints singing the song of Moses, a victory song.
Fear leads to doubt. Fear feeds worry. And, fear is what can cripple our faith. I don’t know how, is answered by, God’s got this. I don’t know when is answered by, in His time. I don’t understand is answered by, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”
A sign in Heaven…marvelous. It sounds like one of our hymns, “There’s a great day coming, a great day coming.” That song ends with, “There’s a sad day coming, a sad day coming.” What makes something marvelous, is which side of God are you on. What makes a day great, is which side of God are you on.
Marvelous…
Roger