Wrath and Grace, Worship and Judgment

Revelation 15:1-8 

1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

    “Great and marvelous are Your works,
    Lord God Almighty!
    Just and true are Your ways,
    O King of the saints!
    4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
    For You alone are holy.
    For all nations shall come and worship before You,
    For Your judgments have been manifested.”

5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then 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 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

God’s seven angels with the seven last plagues of judgement on a sinful world in rebellion against God and His Christ will step forward at God’s appointed time.  This future event was a great and marvelous sight for John to witness, and should cause us to pause in wonder as well.  God’s wrath on sin and the unrepentant with the fallen rebellious angels will be finished at last!  There will be singing of God’s victorious work in judgement over the serpent and his beast minions, over the evil of sin’s disobedience and irreverence toward the Creator and Sustainer.  Those victorious in Christ the Lamb of God will sing of His great works as the Almighty and Sovereign one.  We who have found redemption and reconciliation in Christ will all praise Him for His truth and justice, His holiness and justice, knowing He alone is worthy to be praised and feared by all.  After this victory song, the seven pure angels who did not sin with the serpent will bring out the last plagues, taking God’s wrath from a living creature who is continually serving God, and await the order to loose these on the remaining unrepentant.  There will be smoke of God’s glory and power which will keep any from entering the heavenly temple until the last plague is finished, for the awesome glory and power is God’s alone to witness and none can endure His wrath or presence as these things take place.  We have more reasons to bear witness to Christ and the gospel of reconciling grace through repentance and faith when we consider the wrath of God prepared for the devil and his angels which men and women will also suffer if they do not hear, trust, and follow Him.  The time is always short, for when this time comes, it will be unannounced and grievous for all who are not prepared.  There is great wrath to come, but also greater grace available now!