Now that we're moving on into Chapter 15 we are going to be backing up a bit from where we were in Chapter 14. In Chapter 14 John was shown things that would take place at the end of the Great Tribulation. These things reminded him that the Lord is in control, and I think he needed that reminder before proceeding into this next section which deals with "the seven last plagues".
"I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues---last, because with them God's wrath is completed." (Revelation 15:1) There's a growing trend in modern times for some to reject the idea of a God of wrath. They want to think of Him only as a God of mercy. And He is a God of mercy; He didn't have to provide us with a means of salvation. We are rebellious, sinful, wayward creatures, and God would have been within His rights to decide we aren't worth saving. He could have wiped all human beings off the face of the earth. But instead He sent His very best---His holy and perfect Son---to die for us so that we could obtain redemption through our faith in Christ. What more could He have done to express His love for us? What higher form of mercy could He offer us? But when a person refuses mercy, what remains is wrath. What remains is having to face the penalty for their own sins rather than having Christ stand up and say, "I've paid for this person's sins."
The Apostle Peter once said, "The end of all things is near." (1 Peter 4:7a) In the first century AD there already remained nothing to be fulfilled before the rapture of the church which would then usher in the end times. The end is closer now than it was in Peter's day. The end is closer now than it was when John wrote Revelation. Studying this book ought to break our hearts for those who don't know Christ. Studying this book should drive us to our knees in prayer for those who don't know Him, and it should compel us to share the gospel as often as possible.
Now John sees the Tribulation saints who most likely lost their lives for their faith. "And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name." (Revelation 15:2a) In Revelation 4:6 we were told there was a sea of glass in heaven before the throne of God. In Chapter 15 John doesn't say whether the sea of glass is in heaven or on earth, but I think we can assume it's the sea in heaven because we will be told that God has given harps to the saints standing by the sea. This time the sea is glowing like fire, and this may symbolize the trials these saints have been through. Trials in the Scriptures are often symbolized by fire. Trials in the lives of believers are not intended to burn them up but to purify them in the same way the heating of precious metals causes the dross to rise to the top so it can be skimmed off. Job, in spite of his deep sorrow, realized that he would be a better man after his trials than he was before, and he said, "When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." (Job 23:10b)
"They held harps given to them by God and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb: 'Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.'" (Revelation 15:2b-4) The verses included in their song come from Psalm 111:2-3, Deuteronomy 32:4, Jeremiah 10:7, Psalm 86:9, and Psalm 98:2. Some scholars believe this song is called the song of Moses and of the Lamb because both Jews and Gentiles will sing it. Others think that referencing Moses and the Lamb in this way represents the law of the Old Testament and the grace of the New Testament. I can't say which theory is correct or if either theory is correct. But Moses was the author (by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) of the first five books of the Old Testament, and Jesus Christ is the author (because He dictated His words to John) of the last book of the New Testament, so perhaps mentioning Moses and the Lamb together is intended to symbolize all the Scriptures as a whole from beginning to end.
The Lord gave these saints the strength to stand firm and now they are standing in His presence forever. When do we give our most joyful praise? Isn't it when the Lord has brought us through something? Isn't it when something that looked impossible has been accomplished---not by our own strength, but by His strength? John doesn't tell us how many saints sing this song to God, but I believe they represent a huge number, and I think they sing the song at the top of their voices. I think the sound of their song resounds from one end of heaven to the other.
The saints sing about the King of all kings. Before much longer now in our study, we will see the King of kings coming to rule over the world, and the prophecy Isaiah spoke of Him will come true: "The government will be on His shoulders." (Isaiah 9:6a) Here in Chapter 15 we don't yet see Him enthroned, but the saints break into anticipatory song anyway. They can't wait until His coronation day; they can't be silent. His reign is already assured and, in faith, these people raise their voices in song to the One of whom Isaiah said, "He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end." (Isaiah 9:6b)
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