In this week’s study, I continue in Chapter 15 verses 2 and 3. Before I begin, to go into this study I once again go into a rant on some of the current events that affected our daily life. I talk about the attack on Israel and how BLM supports the case for the Hamas. I share with the listeners an article by Pastor Chuck Baldwin titled “What Does the Hamas/Israeli War Portend for Bible Prophecy’.
Chapter 15 is the final chapter and the climax of the “Introduction to the Bowls”, which began with chapter 12.
The angels of verse 1 are prepared to deliver Yahweh’s wrath. However, before proceeding directly into the wrath, we see a pause in order to make a point: Yahweh’s wrath is justified.
For in them is filled up the wrath of Yahweh = That is, in regard to the beast and his image. All the expressions of the divine indignation toward that oppressive and persecuting power will be completed or exhausted by the pouring out of the contents of these vials.
What is about to happen is great and marvelous because the unholy trinity of the dragon and of the beast and the false prophet, along with all who worship them are about to be judged.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass = In Rev. 4:6, a similar vision is recorded - “And before the throne there was a sea of glass, like unto crystal.”
In Chapter 13 we read of that politically beast rising out of the sea. Can we say that is the negative of Yahweh’s plan?
Mingled with fire = That is, a portion of the sea was red like fire. It was not all clear and transparent, as in Rev. 4:6, but it was as it were a checkered expanse, composed in part of what seemed to be glass, and in part of a material of a red or fiery color.
And them that had gotten the victory over the beast = Rev. 13:11. they who had gained a victory in times of persecution and temptation; or they whom the “beast” had not been able, by the arts or by force, to subdue.
And over his image = See Rev. 13:14-15. that they had not been led to apostatize by the dread of the power represented here by the “image of the beast.”
And over his mark = See Rev. 13:16. Over all the attempts of the religious beast to fix his mark upon them, or to designate them as his own.
And over the number of his name = See Rev. 13:17-18. Over all the attempts to fix upon them that mysterious number which expressed his name.
Victory, Beast, Image and Name = 4 items, those being of the earth, for the number 4 is symbolic of earth.
Stand on the sea of glass = That is, before Yahweh. They are now seen in heaven, redeemed and triumphant.
Having the harps of Yahweh = Harps that pertained to the worship of Yahweh; harps to be employed in his praise. See Rev. 14:2.
These “victorious” ones are the saints who were described earlier in this bowl introduction (Rev 12:11).
Now will you notice also the text says, “Those who had come off victorious from the beast and from his image and from the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of Yahweh.” Now this is a picture of the saints who have been saved during the tribulation and are martyred for their faith, yet those who have triumph over the beast, over the antichrist. This is a picture of those who refused to bow to his image nor would they wear the number of his name.
So we have seen a sign great and marvelous and a sea of consuming fire and, thirdly, we see and hear a song of triumphant deliverance in verse 3.
The song which is sung in this Sixth Vision is both old and new, for it is the song of Moses and of the Lamb
Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!
Have any questions? Feel free to email me at keitner@netzero.net
