Do you remember how our last lesson, in Revelation, ended?
There, at the end of Revelation fourteen, God reveals how this
age will be brought to a close, with a two-fold harvest. One will be reaped and
gathered. The other, cast out, and trampled; those who sow the wind, reap, the whirlwind.
After that lesson, believe it or not, on the very day,
of our very next Bible study, we didn’t even meet, because a whirlwind
on steroids, blew straight to—and sometimes through—our front doors. It went by
the name of hurricane Ian.
Do you remember what, Ian,
means? The Lord is gracious.
Oh, in case you’re wondering,
coup de grâce, (kü-də-ˈgräs), translates literally as, "stroke of
grace," or "blow of mercy." It’s means, a decisive completion, finishing,
act, or event; a death blow, to end the suffering of mortally wounded.
Revelation fifteen is a short chapter, only eight verses…but packs a powerful punch.
It’s the opening scene to introduce the coup de grâce of this age. The final round of judgement, the last stroke of grace, the final blow of mercy, to finally, bring an end to the tribulation; to put to death—death.
Revelation 15:1
Then I saw
another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the
seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
Great and marvelous, isn’t saying that the worst plagues ever to hit the planet, are going
to be good and wonderful. Great, means, mega. Marvelous, means
awe-inspiring. What’s about to happen is a mega, jaw-dropping, pivotal moment.
This is where the music starts
and Rocky gets his second wind. It’s when David picks up five smooth stones and
walks toward the giant. It’s the scene where the good guys with the white hats,
finally roll up their sleeves, load their guns, and when the smoke clears, the
bad guys are done.
It’s Todd Beamer, September 11th,
2001, on flight 93, saying, “Let’s roll.”
This is Jesus, fulfilling His
promise from Matthew 24:22,
when He said, that unless these days were shortened, no flesh would survive.
This is the opening bell, to
the final round of judgements. Yes, there will be destruction. Yes, there will
be bloodshed. But, finally, after the seventh bowl is poured, a Voice, from
heaven, will ring loud and clear, “It is done!” Revelation 16:17.
Notice, the angels, aren’t named.
The only description is of them having the seven last plagues.
How’d you like to belong to a
crew like that?
Would you be willing?
Lord,
here we are, take what we have, even if it’s not pretty, and somehow, use us for
Your plan, Your purpose, Your glory.
Remember that
word, because we’ll see it again.
2 And I saw
something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory
over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over
the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass…
These are those who are victorious, over, the antichrist. Though they were slain, yet they live, as overcomers.
How many times
does God include the word, over, in that one short verse?
As you know, if
God says something once, it’s important. If He says it twice, scoot to the edge
of your seat, and pay attention, it’s really important. If He says it three
times, stand up, draw close, take notes, it’s vital.
Over and over and over again, Jesus said in the seven letters, that the overcomer, is the one, who will receive from Him.
Victory, isn’t
staying alive, physically, but Spiritually.
… having harps
of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the
song of the Lamb, saying
The song of Moses,
and the song of the Lamb; the law, and Love, perfectly woven, into a heavenly
hymn.
Count how many
times it refers directly to Him, using the words, You or Your.
Did you count.
What’d you get?
Seven?
Me too.
If we add, Lord
God Almighty, O King, O Lord, we get ten, references directly to Him. Zero to us.
Seven and ten,
the numbers of, perfection, completion.
This might just
be the perfect, Heavenly Hymn. It’s all about Him. Let’s read it again, to Him,
as a prayer.
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
5 After these
things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the
testimony in heaven was opened. 6 And out of
the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in
pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.
Temple of the tabernacle of the
testimony. I wonder if the angels, call it TTT for short?
This is the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The
place where the presence of God, dwells.
Wait. Are those the same seven angels?
Yes.
Really? Wow. They look different. A minute ago, they had no names, just plagues. Now they look…better, brighter.
How’d that happen? What made the change?
His presence. That’s how it works. That’s what happens.
Remember Moses? Whenever in His presence, he came away
glowing. Jesus and Moses and Elijah, glowed with His glory as they spoke. It
happened to Stephen, when he looked to Jesus, instead of those holding stones.
It’ll happen to you, and me, or any who intentionally
invest time in His presence.
Go to Him with nothing but a life riddled with plagues,
and emerge glowing with a heart full of hope.
7 Then one of the
four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the
wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple
was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one
was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Notice the word,
complete, completes, this last verse, just as it completed the first verse.
Remember it’s the same word, Jesus used, when He coup de grâce (kü-də-ˈgräs),
His earthly life, and said, “It is finished.” Complete; teleó.
Court is adjourned. The last round of judgements has been ordered.
Following this, the bowls will be poured, one after another, without delay, until the coup de grâce (kü-də-ˈgräs) is complete.
Let’s pray.
Great and
marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.
Amen.
I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me:
and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loves me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20.
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