Deeper Christian Life Ministry – Search The Scripture 25th Sunday, April 2021 (Lesson 997)

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Topic: The Full And Final Wrath Of God (STS 25 April 2021)

MEMORY VERSE: “And 1 saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God” (Revelation 15:1).

TEXT: Revelation 15:1-8

1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

MESSAGE:

This is the shortest chapter in the book of Revelation. It has a close connection with the previous chapter and with the one that follows. It gives the pledge and assurance that the worshipers of the Beast would be judged and there will be the ultimate triumph of all who have faith in Christ and keep the commandments of God. As an introduction to the subsequent chapters, this chapter details how the predicted judgments will be inflicted on all who dwell on the earth in the latter part of the great tribulation. The details are given with solemnity. The chapter opens with the appearance of seven angels, having the seven last plagues that will fill up or accomplish completely the wrath of God. Then those who “had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image” sing and rejoice because of their victory. In the latter part of the chapter, the temple in heaven is opened and the seven angels having the seven plagues receive the commission to empty their vials, full of the wrath of God upon the earth. Their swiftness and sense Of responsibility in the discharge of God’s will and command are worthy of note as there is no iota of hesitation in their quest to do the bidding of the Almighty. Like the angels, God expects true believers to be ready to do His will at all times.

Question 1: What can believers learn from the angels’ readiness to do God’s will?

THE SEVEN PLAGUES OF VENGEANCE AND WRATH (Revelation 15:1; 16:1-21; 21:9; 17:1; Isaiah 13:9-13; Jeremiah 10:10; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Romans 1:18,29- 32; 2:3-9; Revelation 14:9-11; 19: 11-15; Zechariah 7: 12)
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” A sign or wonder designed to hold the mind in astonishment, amazement or wonder was beheld by Apostle John. It was a sign of terrible judgment coming on the earth. It is represented as appearing in heaven because the judgments that are to fall upon the world are to come from there. The judgments will be “great and marvellous” — shockingly great and overwhelming. While angels are ministers of mercy for the saints of God, these same angels are ministers of wrath towards sinners and all the enemies of God. The seven last plagues will be the worst calamities and judgment to be inflicted on the inhabitants of the earth who forsake the true God and follow the Antichrist during the great tribulation. The plagues will be the expression of the climax of God’s wrath and indignation to be poured out on the unbelieving world of unrighteous people. God has always been working to save men from His wrath. He has always sent His servants to warn men “to flee from the wrath to come”. As ambassadors of Christ, believers are still preaching and calling sinners to repent and receive forgiveness, favour and grace from Christ so that they will escape the wrath and judgment of God, All who repent, believe in Christ and receive grace to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” will be “delivered… from the wrath to come” (Titus 2:11, 12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Question 2: How can sinners and backsliders escape the impending wrath of God?

THE SONG OF PRAISE, VICTORY AND WORSHIP (Revelation 15:2-4; 1 John 5:4,5; Revelation 12:11, 17; Exodus 15:1-18; Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 78:12-15; Revelation 17:14; 19: 16; Luke 12:4,5; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; Psalms 86:9-12; 22:3,27,28)
Those who “had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name… sing the song of Moses… and the song of the Lamb.” As those who were delivered from the wrath of Pharaoh and the judgment of God under the ministry of Moses celebrated their deliverance with a song of praise and thanksgiving, these redeemed of the Lord will also celebrate their deliverance with an appropriate song of praise. “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” The song of Moses was sung at the Red Sea; the song of the Lamb will be sung at the crystal sea. The song of Moses was the song of triumph over Egypt; the song of the Lamb is the song of triumph over Babylon. The song of Moses told how God brought His people out of oppression; the song of the Lamb tells how God brings His people into glory land. The song of Moses commemorated the execution of the king of terror; the song of the Lamb celebrates the exaltation of the Lord, the triumphant King of kings. The song of Moses was the first song in Scripture; the song of the Lamb is the last song in Scripture.

Question 3: What must a believer do to partake in this final victory as seen in this passage?
While the plagues are upon the earth at the great tribulation, the overcomers will be rejoicing for their victory over the Antichrist and his antics to make them compromise their faith in God. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God…(Revelation 15:2,3). The standing saints are the great tribulation saints that were victorious over Satan and his agents. This victory of the tribulation saints is the “victory of all victories” which God guarantees to all who make everlasting fellowship with Him at the end. For the participants at this eternal fellowship, some would get the victory by martyrdom, natural death or through the rapture. But by whatever means it is attained, it is the crowning glory of all efforts of striving “to enter in at the strait gate…” (Luke 13:24). The victory and subsequent celebration of the redeemed reveal that with determination and faith in God, the believer can overcome the greatest obstacles and oppositions. No doubt, the Antichrist “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped…” (2 Thessalonians 2:4) would have done so much to compel these persons to , accept his mark, but they will be firm in their rejection of the mark of the beast. However, while one rejoices for the resilience of these tribulation saints, it is far better for every believer to make effort to avoid going through the rigours and anguish of the great tribulation. The victory of the dead and living believers under the New Testament is consummated at the point of being caught up in the rapture of the saints. The Church anxiously awaits this glorious experience. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump pf God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). This final victory will cause inexplicable joy in His presence when the Bride (the Church universal) will be presented to the Bridegroom at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

Question 4: What is the prerequisite for partaking in the rapture?

THE SOURCE OF POWER AND THE VIALS OF WRATH (Revelation 15:5-8; 1 1 : 19; Psalm 75:8; Jeremiah 25:15-17; Job John 3:36; Ephesians 5:3-6; Hebrews 10:26-31; Nahum 1:2,6,8; Matthew 3:7- 10,12; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 5:1-9)
“And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” After seeing the vision of the redeemed singing the song of their deliverance and of their Lord’s dominion, John saw the temple in heaven opened. The temple is the peculiar dwelling-place of God. Here it is referred to as “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony” because it bears testimony to the presence, power and the pre-eminence of God. “And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues.” The seven angels who are appointed to execute the plagues of judgment on earth will come “out of the temple,” that is, from the immediate presence of God. They were given “seven golden vials full of the wrath of God”. The judgment and wrath of God on the earth will be full and final without any allowance for mercy. “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the Seven angels were fulfilled.” The smoke here is the manifestation of the appearance of the majesty of God as seen in Exodus 19:18. When the final fury and wrath Will be poured out by the appointed angels, the divinely appointed instrumentalities of end-time judgment, “no man will be able to enter into the temple” to make intercession or turn away God’s wrath. We are still in the period or dispensation of grace; the time of intercession and invitation to escape from the wrath to come. In the light of the unprecedented calamity that will befall unrepentant sinners during the great tribulation, believers have the duty to warn them before it is too late. We are to run with the message of salvation and deliver it to them whether they will hear or forbear. Without genuine repentance, God’s judgment upon sinners is certain. The sure way to avoid the impending wrath is to accept Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour.

Question 5: What should believers do to make sinners and backsliders escape the impending