 Foreward
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
 Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
| _ |
|
The Thrill of Victory And The Agony of Defeat
(a commentary on Revelation)
 Click A Chapter On The Left For A Brief Summary
THE OVERCOMERS - 15:1-8
Chapter 15 is the calm before the storm. It is a stark contrast between the winners and the losers of Chapter 16. In this chapter we see singing and worship in response to Gods dealing with Rome in the manner he has. The saints are pictured as standing in the midst of all the judgment that is being poured out on Rome, but they are singing. That reminds me of Paul and Silas in that dungeon, singing and praying. The singing brings to mind when Israel sang the redemption song after they had killed the Passover lamb, and been delivered out of slavery in Egypt. "Let the redeemed of the earth, say so!" You cannot be saved and not have a song in your heart. Only redeemed people have anything to sing about.
Moses was a type of Christ, Pharaoh was a type of Satan; Egypt was a type of Sin, and the Exodus was a type of our Exodus from sin. The deliverance from Egypt was an illustration of the deliverance we have from sin.
Whatever happens to the Roman Empire originates from heaven. Whatever happens to the saints also originates from heaven. The difference? We have agreed to the covenant that God wants to make with all men - but not all men are willing. That covenant is an unbreakable promise to save.
This is not a political war against social or cultural issues, but a Sovereign war against all ungodliness. These bowls are simply a picture of how God feels about sin. These are not bowls of blessings, but bowls of bitterness. When God begins to pour out his wrath on Rome, no one will step forward to intercede for Rome. When God begins to pour out his wrath on an individual, city, nation or world - it will do no good to pray. God did not tell Noah to pray, but to get in
before the storm hit. When men have so sinned that Gods wrath is come upon them, we are not to pray that God will stop. These judgment are so gross that Gods people might start saying, "Wow, God. Aren't you being just a little bit harsh here?!" Don't stop when people are being punished for their sin and question God. That is not for us to question. God has been around a lot longer than we have; and He knows a lot more about what is right and wrong than we do.
|
|
