LINK: Revelation 15
BACKGROUND
Now John sees a scene in heaven. He sees those who had been victorious over the beast praising and worshiping God. They sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb. A song of Moses recorded in scripture (and likely referred to here) is in Exodus 15:2-18 and was sung right after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. This song in Revelation is similar.
Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God the Almighty;
Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy;
For all the nations will come and worship before You,
For Your righteous acts have been revealed.
Then John saw seven angels who were each given a bowl of plagues, or wrath. These seven bowls are God's final wrath. This is the third woe. The angels emerged from the holy place of God's temple -- from the very presence of God. Once they came out of the temple, the temple was filled with smoke and no one could enter it again. The smoke is an indication of God's holiness, glory, and power. No one would be able to enter the temple again until all seven bowls of God's wrath would be poured out.
REFLECTION
The scene at the beginning gives comforting assurance to all believers, but especially to those who face tribulation and persecution. It's always good to be reminded of who God really is. He is the holy one, the only one we need fear, the righteous one, the powerful one, and the only one worthy of our worship.
APPLICATION
Everyone will one day worship the Lord. We have the opportunity to worship him now! Let's do so today. Meditate on the passage in this chapter or in Exodus 15. Make it your praise to God today.
PRAYER
Make your prayers today be mostly worship of our great God. If you aren't sure where to start, make a list of God's attributes and begin praising him for who he is.
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