Thursday, October 6, 2022

Coup de Grâce, Revelation 15

 

Do you remember how our last lesson, in Revelation, ended?

We stood on the field, of the battle of Armageddon; where blood will splatter bridle high for nearly two hundred miles.

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.  

The word, complete, completes, this verse. It’s the same word, Jesus used, when He said, “It is finished.” Complete; teleó, in Greek.

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.

“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.”

 Notice, it never says, me, or us, or I.

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.

“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.”


After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 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. 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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