In our last lesson, we studied one aspect of the wrath of God: 

(Rev 14:19)  So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (20)  And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs [200 miles].

(Luke 21:36 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

(1 Th 5:8-9 NKJV)  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. {9} For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Rev 15:1 NKJV)  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.

(Rev 15:2 NKJV)  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.

Standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.

Where is the sea of glass?

(Rev 4:6 NKJV)  Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

What is the sea of glass?

It appears to be a way of describing what otherwise might be pavement in front of the throne, But this is heaven!  This is God’s abode.  The streets are of gold, and the “pavement” in front of His throne is “a sea of glass, like crystal.”  A sea may mean that it stretches on and on like the sea.  “Of glass, like crystal” gives its appearance.  Beautiful as crystal!  Now notice: “mingled with fire.”  This may refer to the judgment which is about to begin!

(Rev 15:3 NKJV)  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!

(Exo 15:1-4 NKJV)  Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! {2} The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him. {3} The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. {4} Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.

(Deu 31:30 NKJV)  Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song until they were ended:

(Deu 32:3-4 NKJV)  For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. {4} He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

(Deu 32:22 NKJV)  For a fire is kindled by my anger, And shall burn to the lowest hell; It shall consume the earth with her increase, And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

(Deu 32:39 NKJV)  'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

(Deu 32:40-41 NKJV)  For I raise My hand to heaven, And say, "As I live forever, {41} If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me.

Both songs “extol the greatness of God's works, and the justice and truth of his ways, both in delivering his people and destroying their enemies.” – Matthew Henry

(Deu 32:44 NKJV)  So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.

(Rev 15:4 NKJV)  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."

(Rev 15:5NKJV)  After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

The wording of this passage is a bit confusing and difficult for me to interpret:

The temple in the Old Testament was a permanent structure which replaced the portable “tent of meeting,” known as the tabernacles.

Having said that, how do you have “the temple of the tabernacle”?   The best explanation I came across was that “the temple” in this verse is being used for what was usually called the most holy place.

Look at the text: “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.”   I think of the most holy place as being closed.  It was, to all but the high priest, and then, only once a year.  It represented God’s presence, or heaven itself.”

It is now open!  God is about to come forth!  “Our God is an awesome God,” and His awesome power is about to be unleashed in a way we have never seen before.

(Rev 15:6) 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.

A picture that challenges our minds: 

Directly from God’s presence come these angels!

They are pure: “clothed in pure bright linen,”

But they have the seven plagues!

(Rev 15:7 NKJV)  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.

This is directly from the presence of God as indicated by the four living creatures.

They are given “seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God.”  Seven!  That’s a number associated with finality, or completeness.

(Rev 15:8 NKJV)  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.

“No one was able to enter the temple!”

The temple is where you go to pray!

The temple is where you come into the presence of God, but not now! Not till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

So what does that mean?  I know what it reminds me of.  It reminds me of when God was going to destroy the children of Israel:

(Exo 32:10-11 NKJV)  [God speaking:] "Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation." {11} Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? . . .

(Exo 32:14) So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.

(Rev 15:8 NKJV)  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.

This time, there cannot be a Moses, there cannot be a Christ, there cannot be anyone who can intervene to keep this from happening.  God will allow no one to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

He will do it!  He will pour out His wrath on the wicked!  The time of intercession is over!  Scary? 

If you’re not right with God, Scary is hardly an adequate word.  Horrifying is still weak to describe what is about to happen.

We learn that the day is coming when God’s justice will be measured out.

There is coming a day when all unpardoned sin will be punished.

There is coming a day of great rejoicing for the people of God, who will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

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