SCRIPTURE: Revelation 15:1-8
OBSERVATION:
An allusion to the judgment of the plagues against Pharoah (Exodus 7-11), God’s people standing beside the sea of judgment singing the song of Moses, like Israel after God destroyed Pharoah and his army by the Red Sea (Exodus 14). The final judgment will also be God’s way of finally rescuing His people from the power of sin, death and hell. This is a symbolic vision of what the final judgment will be like. No one will be able to enter the temple because the time of mercy is complete. God is extremely patient, but the day is coming when He will finally say ‘enough!’
APPLICATION:
This message can comfort me to know that no matter how strong or successful the forces of evil may appear, their day is coming! But it can also challenge me to consider whether I am abusing God’s patience, acting as if I am OK when in fact I am also apathetic and self-centered in my own life. Do I really take God seriously? Am I prepared to stand before Him, with what it is in my heart and life? Am I presuming upon God’s mercy? The time will come when God says ‘enough!’
It also challenges me to look again at my neighbour, those that do not expect a final judgment. How concerned am I for them, and what am I doing about it?
PRAYER:
Lord, I know that I am saved by grace, that You love me and forgive me despite my sin. But I also know that I use this to my advantage, that I do not hate my sin enough. Help me to take the judgment seriously, for myself and for others! Amen.
There seems to be a parallel here and what was written in Exodus. God’s judgement on the people then and now; The song they sang then and now; the temple/tabernacle then and now; the power/glory of God both then and now and forevermore.
As God deallt judgement upon the people via the plagues in Egypt land, and now here with the plagues of the angels, we all need to see that there will be a final judgement. And as the song states, all nations will come and worship for they have seen your righteous acts.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord that I too may see those acts in my daily living for Jesus. May my life also give testimony of that fact in all I do and say. Help me to be a living witness also this day. The day of Christ’s return is coming but until that day, Lord, help me to live in such a way that others know and see and hear that I am a child of the King.
O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.