Image: "Stark Reality", 2021, Fountain Paint Pot Scene, Yellowstone Nat. Pk. MT
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.
Revelation 15:2–3 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, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!
Revelation 15:7–8 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.
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At last, the last one.
I know, to some extent, how it feels to come to the last of a long series of unpleasant but unavoidable experiences. When you finish up that last cancer treatment, whether radiation (with me) or chemotherapy (for many), there is a strong sense of elation. You get to ring that bell and all the gathered medical staff and even some other patients celebrate with you. It was a hard thing to endure but, praise God, it's over.
To some extent, today's passage parallels this idea but far surpasses it. The chapter opens with yet "another sign in heaven, great and marvelous." (vs. 1) This is it! The end is in sight! Only here it is not the end of therapeutic healing methods but rather it is the grim prospect that soon and very soon, "the wrath of God" will be complete. I would think that musically, there would be the sound of a rising, ominous, organ crescendo that accompanies the sight. We all know... this is the climax.
But then, in a somewhat jarring juxtaposition, we see another sight. There is the sea of glass again. History in its sum total character is brought into view. This time though, it is mingled with fire! (vs. 2) Here is another type of crescendo. Think of the "fire" as being flashing sparks or streams of lightning or fireworks going off. This is a climax also but there is nothing ominous about it. Gathered there at the culmination of history is the congregation of the elect, who have gained "victory over the beast" and all of his machinations, standing on the sea of glass and embodying history's culminating purpose. Here the music is not solemn and ominous tones from an organ but the glad peals of harps as the "redeemed of the Lord" sing the "new" song of Moses.
They represent the prophetic fulfillment of that first exodus and therefore their song, unlike the original song of Moses, is the "song of the Lamb." Here is true redemption, not just the wonderful but comparatively mundane release from human captivity, but salvation from all forms of injustice, ugliness, and slavery to sin. Here is redemption gained through the shed blood of that perfect Lamb and it is He Who is celebrated. Now, with the impending prospect of the work of the seven angels completing the wrath of God, it can be sung that "all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested." (vs. 4)
This song rings up the curtain and the "temple in heaven is opened" for the seven angels and the majestic power of God fills that temple with smoke and glory. It is so holy that no one is able to enter that heavenly sanctuary until the angels have done their work.
This chapter should sow anticipation in our souls. We should, with all those saints already gathered to heaven, sing out "O Lord, how long?" because we want to sing that glorious song with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is the stark reality of history. It is all pointed toward this one climactic moment. Let us prepare our hearts and minds to embrace that reality and hasten its arrival.
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