November 29, 2012
WHAT DO HANDFULS OF GRAVEL AND BASS-THUMPING MUSIC HAVE TO DO WITH THE BIBLE?
Revelation 15
Andrew Savage
Central Truth
One day, a lot sooner than we probably think, God's wrath will be finally and completely finished. Only through faith in Christ can this judgment and wrath be avoided.
Key Verse | Revelation 15:1
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished. (Revelation 15:1)
Revelation 15
The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
1
15:3
Some manuscripts the ages
4
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
5 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent 2 15:5 Or tabernacle of witness in heaven was opened, 6 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. 7 And 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 and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
Dive Deeper | Revelation 15
One time when I was in elementary or middle school, my parents let a bunch of my friends spend the night at our house for my birthday party. There may have been eight of us. We were just some young guys looking for a little birthday excitement. We came to the bad conclusion that it would be a good idea to throw handfuls of gravel at cars, bumping some bass-filled music. I was filled with terror as they immediately gave chase in cars and on foot. Ultimately, though, we all escaped the wrath of those guys. Whoa, that was close!
I'm a very visual person. So when I read Revelation, I easily get drawn into all the imagery, and my mind tries to piece together everything John (the writer) is seeing. I think I get distracted too easily. Don't get me wrong, these details are here for a reason and are definitely important (2 Timothy 3:16), but it's also vital to see the underlying theme that runs throughout the Bible -- the story of hope, grace, redemption, and God's just wrath that is coming to those whose names are not written in the book of life (Revelation 20:11-15). I have a feeling this wrath is going to be a lot worse than that which was coming to my friends and me (Revelation 14:11).
We read in Revelation 15:1 that the seven angels with the seven plagues will be the last, and after that the wrath of God will be finished. This is good news for those of us who have put our faith in Christ alone for salvation. We will see Christ conquer Satan and evil and death, and there will be a new heaven and new earth. John 3:36 tells us: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." This verse, among many others, tells us that only through faith in Christ do we escape God's coming judgment and wrath. Do you have this faith?
Discussion Questions
1. Why is God's wrath just?
2. Is there anything that is keeping you from having full assurance that you will not experience God's wrath that John writes about in the Book of Revelation?
3. How can you be sure that you will not experience the wrath of God? (see John 5:24; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 5:11-13)
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
November 26-30 (Revelation 12-16)
Read Revelation 15:1-4.
• What two names does the writer give this little song in verse 3-4?
• Who was Moses? What did Moses do? (Hebrews 11:23-29, Exodus 3:10-12)
• Who is the Lamb? What did the Lamb do?
• Read Hebrews 3:1-6. What's the difference between Moses and the Lamb?
• What will the Lamb ultimately do one day?
• Why does it mean to be holy? Who is holy?
• Read Revelation 16:7. What does it mean that God's judgments are true and just?
Activity: Go to the following link (http://wmcc.jointhejourney.com/page_/3913) to listen to the song "Jehovah" and download the crossword puzzle. As you listen to the song fill in the meaning of the names listed in the clues of the crossword puzzle.
When done, talk about all the names of God and what they mean. This is the God whose judgments are just and true. How does it feel to be under a God who is loving, a healer, a provider, etc.?