The Book of Revelation
Chapter Fifteen
Overview: Revelation Ch. 12-22— “The Bible Project”
The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues
2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
4
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
5 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 6 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. 7 And 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 and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
1 comment:
"I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass" (v2).
I imagine the great apostle John would have struggled to describe a lot of things we so easily describe today because of familiarity and known terminology. Imagine him (all those years ago), seeing aeroplanes (metal birds?) and armoured tanks (locusts of steel?). He was familiar with birds and locusts, but not with planes and tanks, so he did the best he could. How would he have put into words concepts like mobile phones or the internet or assault rifles?
What attempt would you make to describe these using the outlook and terminology and imagination of a first-century prophet?
We need to be careful and wary of the hurried interpretations that are often brought to this curious book. Certainly, we must make the effort to understand and explain, and never cop out. The prophetic books call for dedicated study and meditation, but we must also nurture the grace and humility to realise that we won't always get interpretations right.
One thing we cannot go wrong with is to be filled with wonder and amazement at these visions and join with the ancient prophets in singing the song of the lamb:
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!"
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