DAY FOUR (Revelation 15-18)
6. Pouring of the Seven Vials – 15:1-16:21
1. The Singing Saints – 15:1-4
Saw another sign (Rev 15:1a ) – John saw another sign of exactly the same quality i. e. from God. The location was in heaven. This describe for the reader where the source of the seven vials judgement will come from. The sign was great and marvellous. This was the final sign before the destruction of all human governments, only that of Christ’s will remain forever. The book of Daniel describes it as a stone made without hands crushing all the kingdoms of the world into powder and a wind came and blown away. Then the kingdom of Christ will rule and reign all over the entire world.
Daniel 2:34-35 prophesied, " Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth . "
The greatness refers to the size and strength and power of the kingdom and marvellous refers to grandeur and beauty and glory of the kingdom. This millennium kingdom of Christ will last for 1, 000 years. During this period there will global peace where swords will be turned into plough shears.
Isaiah 2:1-4 prophesied concerning the millennial kingdom, " The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. "
Isaiah 2:4 is the motto of the United Nations. This is the vain hope of humanity after 2 world wars. But this will be to naught. Man cannot bring peace because peace must first come from within. It is the peace he must have with his God first before he can talk of peace with one another. Man needs to have God’s unconditional sacrificial agape love residing in his heart before he can have peace. He is powerless to bring any form of genuine peace. What man has achieved thus far is basically truce. This is the absence of war-not peace. Christ can bring genuine peace into the world.
The content of the sign was “ seven angels having seven last plagues . ” The word “last” means “final in terms of time. ” This will be the ultimate judgement that will usher in the total and complete destruction of the world as we know it today. Everything that we are familiar with from the world’s map and topography and terrain will be transformed forever. All our economic system of trade and practices will recede to a very distant memory. The skyline of the world will be altered forever by the Master Builder and Sculptor. The joy, marrying and giving in marriage, eating and drinking and all that pertains to what we spend most of our time in and regard as of utmost importance would be forever destroyed. It will be consumed by the judgement of God’s fire.
The wrath of God ( 15:1b ) – The seven last plagues is not merely the wrath of God. The Bible says that “ in them is filled up the wrath of God . ” The literally meaning of “filled up” is “to make and end or to complete. ” These seven last plagues is not just the final plagues in term of time but also in terms of the climax of the wrath of God, the completion of the judgement of God on the present earth that had existed since the time of Noah after he came out of the ark.
The word “wrath” is a word describing rage or passionate outburst of anger. It is a strong word deliberately chosen by the Holy Spirit to impress upon sinful men the fullness of his sins and the time of his punishment is at hand. No man will ever get away with sinning and escape the all seeing eye of God Almighty.
Zephaniah 3:8 has prophesied, " Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy . "
By the demonstration of His wrath-does it mean that He is not a God of love? This passage clearly exposes the errors of those who say that the OT God is a God of war and the NT God is a God of love.
How can the Christian balance all the many different attributes of God in our relationship and walk with Him?
A sea of glass ( 15:2a ) – Note the John said he saw something “as it were” i. e. like a sea of glass. What does it mean?
MacArthur says, “ The sea was not an actual ocean, because in 21:1 he ‘saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. ’ What John saw was a transparent crystal platform before God’s throne shimmering and glistening like a tranquil sunlit sea. John saw this same sealike crystal platform in 4:6 : ‘Before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. ’ Moses also had a vision of it when he and the elders of Israel ‘saw the God of Israel ; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself’ ( Ex 24:10 ). ”
Revelation 4:6 says, “ And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind . ”
Rev 15:2 reveals to us that the resurrected and raptured saints were standing before the throne of God where the four beasts (living creatures) stood. As MacArthur suggested, the sea of glass is probably a clear shimmering crystal-like platform before God’s throne in which angels and believers with the glorified body of flesh and bones are able to stand.
This picture is different from that of 4:6 because in this description the sea of glass was “mingled with fire. ” The tranquil picture was mixed with the fire which must definitely represent the wrath of God due to the immediate context of the seven vials of plagues as the last judgement. The impending judgement will be in the presence of God’s saints who gave their lives for the defense of God’s Holy Word and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Victory over the beast ( 15:2b ) – In what way are they deemed to have victory over the beast? What is mentioned next is revealing. The saints are also said to have victory over the image of the beast and the mark of the beast (the number 666). These saints have died for their faith and yet here God says that they had the victory. How could they have victory if they die? Do we not equate death with ultimate punishment and defeat?
The answer is that when the children of God held on to their faith and not waver to the very end even when they pay for it with their lives, they would be considered as here, to have the victory. They did not bow to the idol of the beats and they died they have the victory says the LORD. They did not receive the mark of the beast, they die they have victory says the LORD. This is precisely what Christianity is all about. It is not living on earth as long as you can or to not be found in prison at any cost but to simply live by faith till the very end of life’s journey.
What does it mean to live by faith? It means to obey God’s Word implicitly and explicitly without any reservation. It is to defend God’s Word at any cost to self and family. There must not be anyone or anything that stands between the Christian and His LORD to the very end. Live for him according to Holy Scriptures.
No idols and no compromise! Hold on to the truth and never, never let it go no matter what the cost! There is no other way. The momentum and subtlety of attacks are frightening and overwhelming. The Da Vinci Code is a popular book that has sold millions of copies. This book attacks the very heart of the Christian faith. The deity and humanity of Christ as well as the canonicity and preservation of the Bible have been placed on the chopping block to be excised and destroyed. A testimony just told to me today. A young man who had once considered entering into the fulltime ministry is reported to have said, “Christianity is a sham! ” He was in London for further studies and was taught legalism. Under no circumstance are you allowed to study on Sunday! He felt very guilty every time he opened his books. He came back to Singapore and was disillusioned by what happened in his home church where the founding pastor was summarily kicked out after 53 years of service. The last straw that broke the camel’s back or in this case the fragile paper-thin faith of this young man was reading the Da Vinci Code. In this book the entire matter of canonicity of the Bible was attacked openly and blatantly.
The Doctrine of Canonicity deals with the identification of the 39 books of the OT and the 27 books of the NT. Why must there be only these 66 books in the Bible? Why do we not include the apocrypha and the pseudepigrapha into our Bible as Holt writ?
Below is a list of the works bandied about by today’s inclusive theology on the doctrine of canonicity. To date there are 27 pseudepigrapha, 18 OT Apocrypha and 63 NT Apocrypha. This list is taken from the web site: http: //www. hagiographa. com/
· Pseudepigrapha
o The Books of Adam and Eve --translation of the Latin version
o Life of Adam and Eve --translation of the Slavonic version
o Life of Adam and Eve --translation of the Greek version (a. ka. The Apocalypse of Moses)
o The Second Treatise of the Great Seth
o 1 Enoch (Ethiopic Apocalypse of Enoch)
o 1 Enoch Composit (inc. Charles, Lawrence & others)
o 2 Enoch (Slavonic Book of the Secrets of Enoch)
o Enoch (another version)
o Gilgamesh The Flood Narrative From the Gilgamesh Epic
o The Apocalypse of Abraham NEW July 18, 2004
o The Assumption of Moses (aka: The Testament of Moses)
o The Book of the Apocalypse of Baruch (aka: 2 Baruch)
o The Greek Apocalypse of Baruch (aka: 3 Baruch)
o Fragments of a Zadokite work (aka: The Damascus Document)
Old Testament Apocrypha
o 1 Esdras
o 2 Esdras
o Baruch
o Tobit
o Judith
o Susanna
· New Testament Apocrypha
o Dead Sea Scrolls
o Narrative of Joseph of Arimathaea
o Report of Pilate the Procurator
o History of Joseph the Carpenter
o Apocryphon of James ( Another version )
o The Letter of Peter to Philip
o Ptolemy's Commentary on the Gospel of John Prologue
o The Apocryphon of John (Long Version)
o Book of Thomas the Contender
o Lost Books of the Bible
§ The GOSPEL of the BIRTH OF MARY
§ The PROTEVANGELION ( Another version )
§ The first Gospel of the INFANCY of JESUS CHRIST
§ The Infancy Gospel of Thomas Composit
§ Latin
§ The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew
§ THE EPISTLES of JESUS CHRIST and ABGARUS KING of EDESSA ( Another version )
§ The GOSPEL of NICODEMUS (or ACTS of PONTIUS PILATE) ( Another Version )
§ THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE to the LAODICEANS
§ The EPISTLES of PAUL the APOSTLE to SENECA (w/SENECA's to PAUL)
§ The ACTS of PAUL and THECLA
§ The FIRST EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the CORINTHIANS
§ The SECOND EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the CORINTHIANS
§ The GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the EPHESIANS
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the MAGNESIANS
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the TRALLIANS
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the ROMANS
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the PHILADELPHIANS
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the SMYRNAEANS
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to POLYCARP
§ The EPISTLE of POLYCARP to the PHILIPPIANS
§ HERMAS
§ The First Book of HERMAS (or VISIONS)
§ The Second Book of HERMAS (or COMMANDS)
§ THE LOST GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PETER
§ The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the PHILIPPIANS
§ The Report of Pilate to Caesar
§ Excerpts from the Gospel of Mary
The can of worms has been opened for these books to be included into the Holy Scripture. What do you say to this? This can will not be closed. The beginning was the denial and death of the doctrine of preservation. Professing Christians have no problem accepting that the bible has mistakes. Now they pay the price-for more is demanded of them by this latest satanic attack-which is not surprising. For the attack on the doctrine of preservation will inevitably and ultimately lead to this attack. Those who subscribe to an erroneous Bible will also succumb to including all these books as lost canon!
Why must we allow the leaders of the church in the 17 th century decide for us the doctrine of preservation? Now why must we allow the 4 th Century church leaders in the Council of Calcedon to decide for us the doctrine of canonicity? The same arguments used to debunk the doctrine of preservation will also be used to debunk the canonicity of the Bible. It is happening and they will succeed in order for the ecumenical movement to become a reality.
What can Christians do?
Having the harps of God ( 15:2c ) – The saints stand before the presence of God holding the harps of God. Harps are for singing and rejoicing. What is there to rejoice when the wrath of God is about to be filled? How can Christians be rejoicing when the followers of the beasts are being punished for their sins? Is this not cruel on our part to do such a thing?
They are rejoicing because the justice of God is about to be completed. It is not a personal vengeance with hatred and anger that brings about the rejoicing. It is the Christians’ deep sense of justice which is God’s justice that they are rejoicing. Christians are the ones on earth who possess the best understanding of justice because it is God’s justice. God’s justice is always fair and equitable. There is no over or under punishment on the part of God.
Is it really possible that there is actually no vengeance on the part of the saints in heaven when they are rejoicing?
Yes. When they realize that they were being persecuted for Christ. In other words when evil men persecute Christians for their faith, they were actually persecuting Christ. This was how the LORD viewed the persecution of Christians by Saul in Acts 9:5 ; and 26:14 . Therefore when the Christians rejoice in the presence of God with harps it is to indicate their right sense of justice with no vindictive heart. This is how Christian must always view justice.
Do not replace the love of God with sentimentalism. If that happens our sense of justice would be warped. It becomes subjective and crosses over the line into vengeance and vindictiveness. These were called harps of God telling us that they were harps belonging to God. The righteous act of the saints in heaven when they rejoice in His presence is attested by this genitival connection. It was not the harps of the saints but God’s. Psalm 94 is an imprecatory psalm that rightly reflects the heart of every Christian in the face of being persecuted for Christ’s sake. The victory is assured if the believer would persevere to the very end. With God’s help he will succeed.
The song of Moses ( 15:3a ) – The Song of Moses was the first song recorded for us in the OT. This was the song sung after the LORD delivered the people of Israel out of Egypt and having crossed the Red Sea and pharaoh and his charioteers were drowned. It was a song of victory over the slavery and persecution Israel endured for 430 years. See Exodus 15:1-19 . The focus of this song is the LORD, not Moses or the people of Israel. It was the LORD who gave Moses and the people the deliverance and victory of their enemies. All glory was given to the LORD. It was also a song of praise. It is good to read this song to see that Christians have an all powerful God on their side to fight for them.
Moses is recorded here as the servant of God. This is a most noble title that has lost its significance today due to frequentative and indiscrete usage. Anybody is now called a servant of God as long as he goes up the pulpit or has the title of pastor or elder in front of his name. This has done a great injustice to people like Moses and Joshua who were true servants of God. They earned this title after they had served the LORD faithfully till the end of their lives. It was a title that God gave to them not man. If we really wish to be called a servant of God may we think very carefully whether we deserve to be called such or not. If we have been unfaithful to God and his Holy Word we have no right to bear the title. It is an honourable title to be called a servant of God.
What makes a person worthy of becoming a servant of God? We must use this term sparingly on a person. On the part of the person receiving the honour, do so only after there is a search of our own soul and ask ourselves if we have really been a SERVANT OF GOD. ”
The song of the Lamb ( 15:3b ) – The song was first recorded for us in 5:8-14 . John Phillips made this contrast between the two songs.
“The song of Moses was sung at the Red Sea, the song of the Lamb is sung at the crystal sea; the song of Moses was a song of triumph over Egypt, the song of the Lamb is a song of triumph over Babylon; the song of Moses told how God brought His people out, the song of the lamb tells how God brings His people in; the song of Moses was the first song in Scripture, the song of the Lamb is the last. The song of Moses commemorated the execution of the foe, the expectation of the saints, and the exaltation of the Lord; the song of the Lamb deals with the same three themes. [ Exploring Revelation , rev. ed. (Chicago: Moody, 1987), 187. ]
What do you think of his view?
This is definitely a song of victory as the content of the song highlights the greatness and holiness of God. But the focus is not on the “song” but on “the Lamb. ” It is called the song of the LAMB. Why? This title of the Lord Jesus Christ brings us all the way back to the incarnation of Christ. His life on earth including His obedience to God’s Holy Word, teachings, miracles, crucifixion and earth and resurrection becomes the basis of the song. Men crucified Him and now He comes to Judge. It is the “weak” Lamb that sinners have despised and rejected who now comes with a song for His victory is nigh!
The content of the song ( 15:3c-4 ) – Revelation 15:3-4 reads, " 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. 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 . "
The works of God are great and marvellous ( 15:3c ) – In this song of praise and worship, it is the works of God that is emphasized first. The works of God here refers to the judicial perfect punishment afflicting sinful men who chose the side of the beast and worship his image and bore his mark on their bodies. This work of God is described as “great and marvellous. ” These two words combined speak of the power and might and glory of the awesome nature of God work when He unleashed it upon sinful men who now come under His wrath. They will be severely judged by God in ways that the world has never seen before and yet perfectly fair for it will come from the God who never over or under punishes anyone.
Can punishment be regarded as “great and marvellous”? Does this description not belong only to the miraculous?
Lord God Almighty is His Name ( 15:3c ) – The song address God as Lord God almighty! The covenantal Name of God is emphasized together with Elohim (God) which refers to His power. This remind us of Exodus 6:1-4 , " Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan , the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers . " This was the first time where God combined His covenantal Name with God. Here we find in the judgement of the unbelievers this same combination. It is the God of God’s people who now judges and punishes the sinners. He is not another God but the God of Israel and every true Christian.
Do we know that we are worshipping the one living and true God the Creator of Heaven and Earth? What is the impact of this truth in every day lives?
Just and True are the ways of the King of saints ( 15:3c ) – “Just and true” describe the justice of God that is always based upon truth. He makes no mistakes! He is perfect in His being and in all His Holy Ways. There is no error in His judgement. Every one whom He condemns to Hell deserves exactly what is due to him. He never over or under punishes anyone.
But by the grace of God and His mercy which is new every morning, believers are bound for heaven. He is the King of saints i. e. the saints are owned by Him. When they are persecuted, they have to answer to God. We are God’s subject and under His protection as citizens of His kingdom.
Why are Christians called saints here? The emphasis is on the nature of the saints. Their holiness is emphasized. This is in stark contrast to the unholy nature of the beast and false prophet and their followers. The reason they will be punished is that they are not holy. The reason Christians were punished by the beast and false prophet is that they are holy. The contrast is to demonstrate to sinful man the justice of God will ultimately prevail.
Every Christian must not lose heart as they stand for truth and righteousness. Not to do so would be folly. It is more than juts doing some measure of good works but rather a true reflection of our inward character based upon the great work of salvation done by God in our hearts.
Who shall not fear and glorify the LORD ( 15:4a ) – This is a rhetorical question aimed at the power, might and glory of God. All will glorify God because all will fear Him. The children of God do so because of love and God is their heavenly Father. The enemies of God will bow their knee and worship Him because He is their Judge.
Isaiah 45:23 , " I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. "
Romans 14:11 , " For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. "
Philippians 2:10-11 says, " That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. "
The victory is assuredly God’s. There is not doubt that this will be the final conclusion in Christi’s battle. All the immorality and sin and debauchery that we see in this world will be removed and cleansed forever. All sinners will be dealt with accordingly and none will escape the wrath of God. This is the song of the saints!!!
What does it mean to fear God? Does it mean to be afraid of Him?
What does it mean to glorify God’s name? Does it mean to say His Name like hallelujah after every deed is done or at worship?
God alone is holy ( 15:4b ) – This is the theme of the song of angels in heaven when they praise the LORD.
Isaiah 6:2-3 , " Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. "
Revelation 4:8-11 , " And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. "
What is the holiness of God?
It has the idea of “perfection, and blameless. ” In relation to the Christian it refers to “set apart for holy use. ” This is the essence of God in His purity. He is perfection par excellence. The word “holy’ comes from the Greek hagos (literally it means “an awful thing”); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
What does it mean when the Bible says that Christians are called holy ones (saints)?
Romans 1:7 , " To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. " [ cf. 1 Cor 1:2 , 6:1 etc. ]
The word is also used in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 33:1-3 , " And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. " Psalms 16:1-3 , " < Michtam of David. > Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. "
Does it mean that Christians now possess actual holiness? If this is the case then how can the Bible say that God alone is holy?
All nations shall worship God ( 15:4c ) --Holiness seems to be the essence for receiving worship. The true, genuine and acceptable worship of the one living and true God is the highest form of service. How many kinds of worship are there? Is there a difference between the believer’s worship and an unbeliever’s worship?
If worship is so important why is it that we often drag our feet to church for worship? We sing hymns in praise of God with little or no understanding.
Is there a difference between worship and service or are they synonyms? Why do we call the Lord’s Day a worship service? Is it possible for a Christian to worship God without serving Him?
The judgments of God are made manifest i. e. to make very plain and clear. The reason for this worship is the judgement of God that they see and experience. The word for judgement here has the idea of righteous judgment. What are these judgements that are referred to here?
2. The Vial Judgments Begin – 15:5-16:21
The Beginning of the End has come ( 15:5-8 ; 16:1-1 ) – After John had seen the sea of glass and the masses singing the song in praise of God almighty, he is given a very different picture. The temple ( naos ) of the tabernacle ( skene – a tent like habitation) of the testimony in heaven was opened. What is this temple of the tabernacle? The temple refers to the Holy of Holies i. e. the holiest place. In the Old Testament, the phrase has been used to refer to the Tabernacle.
Exodus 38:21 , " This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. "
Numbers 1:48-54 , " For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. "
Numbers 10:11 , " And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. "
Acts 7:44 , " Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. "
What is contained inside the Holiest place? It is the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat. Inside the Ark of the Covenant are the Ten Commandments ( Deu 10:5 ; 31:26 ; 1 Kings 8:9 ; 2 Chron 5:10 ).
Exodus 25:16-21 , " And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. "
Exodus 40:20 , " And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: "
2 Chronicles 5:10 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
Other items inside the ark included Aaron’s rod ( Num 17:10 ; Heb 9:4 ; and the pot of manna ( Exo 16:33,34 ; Heb 9:4 ).
This temple was in heaven. This was probably the millennial temple that will come down onto the earth during the reign of Jesus Christ on earth. What kind of testimony does it have in heaven?
From the Holiest place came forth the final judgement of God. This indicates that the righteous judgement of God will be based upon God’s Holy Word.
Psalms 11:4-5 , " The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. "
Seven angels came out of the temple, having seven plagues ( 15:6 ) – The end is here. This is the final judgement of God upon sinful man. They were commissioned by God to pour out the wrath of God. Each of the angels will bring one plague.
They were clothed in pure and white linen. This signifies their personal purity and that their judgement will be fair and just. Their breasts girded with golden girdles to signify their authority is from Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Judge of all judges. The similarity to the picture of the Son of God is obvious. Revelation 1:13 , " And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. " These angels were carrying out the judgement with the authority of Christ.
One of the four living creatures gave ( 15:7 ) – The higher angel was commissioned to give to these seven lower rank angels, seven golden vials full of the wrath of God. The vials refer “to shallow saucers. The imagery is not that of a stream being poured gradually out of a pitcher, but of the whole contents of the shallow saucers being hurled down in an instant flood of judgement (MacArthur, vol 2, 132). ”
Vials or bowls were commonly found in the temple furnishings ( 1 Kings 7:50 ; 2 Kings 12:13 ; 25:15 ; 1 Chron 28:17 ; Zech 14:20 ). They were associated with the sacrifices ( Exo 27:3 ; 38:3 ). In Psalms 116:13 , " I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. " Those who reject the cup of salvation will receive the cup of God’s wrath to its fullest.
God lives forever and ever and He will put an end to sin. All those who indulge in sin will be punished. They will not escape the wrath of the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God.
Smoke filled the temple ( 15:8 ) – Smoke is an emblem of God’s majesty, glory and might. The mountain of Sinai was covered with smoke when the LORD descended to give Israel the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 19:16-19 , " And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. "