Psa 70:3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
Psa 70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
Psa 70:5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

What we are learning about our “poor and needy” condition in this study is that the Lord is the one who has created it and done so, so that we have reason to lean on one another and grow together as a family. Our love and care for one another is how the Lord can “make haste unto me”.

In the second part of our study tonight, we will look at the last three verses of Psalm 70, which concludes as it starts, twice (witness) saying “Make haste,” and if this were not enough, adds: “make no tarrying”.

Last week we talked about some of the positive uses of salt and pointed to the real example of how sodium chloride was the breakthrough chemistry that brought healing to the nation’s water along with the proper sewer systems (which came about by raising the city of Chicago’s buildings with jackscrews so that the infrastructure could be developed for the sewers). Not every building was raised, but many were and enough that the sewage could be expelled from the city. The waters became contaminated at first because, although the sewage was being removed, it was not being treated with chlorine yet. It took massive amounts of chlorine added to the water along with quarries that had to be trenched out so all the dirty water that was being treated had a reservoir to go to.

Raising of Chicago

An interesting parallel to this experience with Chicago, that was eventually the model for all major cities who followed suit until we see what we have today (clean water, for the most part, with treatment plants and proper sewage disposal and treatment), is Israel.

Israel was a model nation in type and shadow just as Chicago was for our modern world, but in very different ways. The cleanliness of our citie’s water has only improved for the most part with better chemistry and filtration plants, but of course no matter how clean we make our cities and how pristine our environment become (i.e. Adam and Eve in the garden), God sees the deceitful and desperately wicked heart that is a whitened sepulchre on the outside but full of dead man’s bones on the inside (Mat 23:27). This contrast is hidden from mankind as we equate cleanliness to be next to godliness (or keeping the law for the lawless next to godliness 1Ti 1:9). We easily lose sight of what it is that God is cleansing and how it is He who has taken away the pure living waters of his word (Isa 3:1) and has been sanctifying only a very few in this age since Pentecost; as opposed to Israel of old who had the infrastructure of the law, giving them the appearance of a whitened sepulchre or favoured nation of the Lord, but we know that the law does not convert or purify anyone, just as the sewer systems were not enough until the added element of chlorine was added. That added element to the life of the elect is the law of Christ which cleanses us of all our transgressions and gives us his holy spirit (Act 2:17, 2Co 1:22).

I’m sure we can think of many analogies and parables in regard to this subject, but I’m hoping to focus on how our prayers and concern and kindness toward one another as the body of Christ is the means by which we are being purified and sanctified.

Here are some verses that we discussed that center around this process of prayer and communion that God has given the elect. We are a sacrifice that needs to be salted with fire (Mar 9:49), or chlorinated if you will, if it is going to be an accepted sacrifice. We are accepted in the Christ, and you are the Christ who therefore plays that incredible role of helping purify the living waters that we have become by the grace and faith of Christ working in His body (Eph 1:6).

Paul asks the question in (1Co 12:17) “is everyone the eye, or the ear”, to which we say “no”, but remember that there is one event (Ecc 9:2) — so I am the ear when I need to be, and I am the eye when I need to be, and I am the kidney purifying the blood when I need to be, but even more importantly when I am not those things, you are those things for me and I for you (1Co 12:12). God has blessed us to believe this singleness that is in Christ (2Co 11:3) and we are witnessed to this over and over by each joint supplying to make increase to the one body of Christ (Eph 4:16). We cannot preclude by what I have just said that there are no distinct functions within the body of Christ, because this is true also as witnessed by these verses (Eph 4:4-12).

God will “make no tarrying” yet we are blessed to tarry and wait in Jerusalem above (Gal 4:26) where we are raised in heavenly places, just like those cities were raised so that the physical water could be purified by properly disposing of waste.

One other point that was very instructive this week about salt was the saline solution that Gale took when we were admitted to ER. It immediately took her fever down (10 minutes roughly) to a normal range, the Lord once again showing me how when others supply what we need through prayer, we directly affect the spiritual wellbeing of our other body parts. Thank you Father, and thank you for those precious members that You have used to supply our need.

These verses comes to mind, of both what Christ and The Christ do for each other:

Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Our first verse tonight:

Psa 70:3 Let them be turned back for a reward [H6118 end result] of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

Sin is embarrassing, and yet God lets it reside in our members sometimes for a long time until it is brought into the light of day by the mercy of God who uses that sin as a sword (“Aha, aha”) that is destroying our flesh.

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Psa 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

We know more and more intimately that God is seeking an occasion against all flesh, starting with the physical first which is natural and then moving toward the spiritual lessons that those physical events represent in our life (i.e. Israel at war with the nations around them).

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

For God’s elect today, this is the day of the Lord and the day that we judge matters within the body of Christ (the Israel of God of Gal 6:16) and let the dead bury the dead who are operating in the law and are therefore in the natural shadow that points to the reality of Christ (Luk 9:60).

Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

You can also think of how a tare works, as it represents sin in our members that resides only long enough to do what it is meant to do and then when God deems it time, the weeds are pulled out of us without detriment to the body of Christ.

Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

We are called to look well to ourselves (2Jn 1:7-9 in its positive application), and when God brings to our attention that something has to be addressed before we go to the altar of His grace, we must go and ask forgiveness of whomever we have offended, lest that weed turn into a root of bitterness.

2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

To say “Aha, aha” does not sound like someone who is on a mission to be reconciled with his brother or who understands that we are all guilty of all. It is not the brother who goes to that brother alone to gain his brother – this, rather, is a talebearer.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Pro 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

So we thank God today that He has blessed us to see that we do not see and are constantly in need of His mercy and forgiveness which we ought to be showing to one another as we discussed in the parable of (Mat 18:33). It is that mercy that we show to one another that gives us vision and helps us see collectively through a glass darkly. We are being blessed to look through that glass as the body of Christ who will narrowly escape and become a sea of glass that the world will look through to come to understand God.

Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Psa 70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

Knowing what we know, ‘what manner of people ought we to be’ is the question Peter was inspired to ask in. We ought to be sober and vigilant. We ought to be confident, we ought to be (all by the grace of God) believing that what God has promised will be accomplished. In other words ‘let the redeemed of the Lord say so’, and “Let God be magnified”, and, God willing, we will do this if it is written in our books.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Things are being ‘dissolved’ in our heavens, and that’s a good thing because that is what it is going to take for “those that seek thee [to] rejoice and be glad in thee”. Those who “love thy salvation” will cry out and “say [so] continually” because of a confidence given that what God is doing in them is for the good of all men who we know will in time be saved by being given the power of the holy spirit to drink the cup. That cup is the same cup that brings us all to give an accounting that we are beasts in need of a Deliverer.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Ecc 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Psa 70:5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

This Psalm ends off the same way that it started where David cries out again “make haste unto me”. David knows that God can deliver him physically, but what has not happened yet is his spiritual deliverance.

That precious deliverance is reserved for a few at first [first fruits] whose deliverance is typified over and over in the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation:

Exo 22:29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.

Lev 23:17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.

Deu 26:2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

We pray “O LORD, make no tarrying”, and this fervent continual prayer comes back again on the heel of being given to see our need for a physician, said by David in these words “But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me”.

Mar 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Through the trials and tribulations, through the persecutions and separation and judgment that is on us “today”, we are blessed to be persuaded of the things of which we once could not be convinced: “thy salvation” where the Lord is magnified – more and more continually (Rom 13:6).

Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Act 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth

1Ch 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

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Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [ and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Rev 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Rev 15:4  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Introduction
This fifteenth chapter of the book of Revelation is only 8 verses long and is essentially nothing more than the introduction of the sounding of the seventh trumpet which we are told is ‘great and marvelous’ because of the importance which scripture places upon this event within our lives. It consists of the pouring out of the “seven vials” or the seven bowls of the seven last plagues. This trumpet is part of a complete sounding of the trumpet which is called “seven trumpets, and it cannot be considered apart from the other six trumpets. To separate this trumpet from the others would be like saying the first six vials of God’s wrath are for most people, but the seventh is only for the really wicked. Or ‘the first six seals are for most people but the seventh seal is only for the extremely wicked’. God’s word is never to be handled in that way. We live by it all (Mat 4:4), and it is all for ‘he that reads, hears and keeps the things written therein’ (Rev 1:3). So these seven last plagues are brought into our spiritual view by “seven angels”, or messengers, and the very fact that the spirit has inspired the use of the number ‘seven’ tells us that if our understanding is to be complete, then every word is to be kept by those who are given to ‘read, and hear and keep what is written here’.
So we are about to finally discover what happens “in the days of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound…” We are about to discover what must take place before “the mystery of God [“which is Christ in you”] should be finished” within us. Here it is again:

Rev 10:7  But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Once again, we are reminded in verses 3 and 4 of this fifteenth chapter of Revelation, that these seven last plagues are the “works… ways… and manifest… judgments of our Lord”, and in 1Pe 4:17 we are told that God’s judgments “first begin with us.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

We know this is all “within” us because we are told that Christ is come to judge this world, and we are told that His coming is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” We are even told what qualifies him to judge this world within us:

Joh 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they [ the dead] that hear shall live.
Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
Joh 5:27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

There it is. That is the qualification for those who will “execute judgment.” They must all be “the son of man”. “The hour now is that the dead hear the voice of the Son of God“, and that ability to “hear the voice of the Son of God”, and to understand “the mystery of God… is made manifest [ only] to His saints”.

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

If we forget that it is the sounding of the trumpet of this seventh angel in our lives which facilitates the “finishing of the mystery of God” within us, then we will never realize the finishing of that work in our lives. If we deny that the sounding of the trumpet of this seventh angel with his seven last plagues has anything to do with the finishing of the mystery of God in our lives, then “we will be judged out of our own mouth”, and we will never “enter into the temple” of God, until “the seven plagues of the seven angels is fulfilled” (Verse 8).

Rev 15:8  And the temple [“which temple ye are” 1Co 3:16-17] was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Luk 19:22  And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book

So these seven plagues are going to be fulfilled in the lives of “every man” who has ever lived, and we are plainly told that it is a bitter experience for us all. Here are the verses from chapter ten which follow verse seven, and which tell us of the bitterness of having to “keep… every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”.

Rev 10:7  But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Rev 10:8  And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
Rev 10:9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
Rev 10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
Rev 10:11  And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

As we have demonstrated, it is “the Israel of God”, including Gentile Galatians (Gal 6:15-16), who are “redeemed from every nation…” (Rev 5:9). We all rejoice to learn the truths we are learning. These wonderful truths are sweet in our mouths as we first hear and learn about them. But here is what happens when we “eat this book”:

Eze 2:3  And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
Eze 2:4  For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.
Eze 2:5  And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
Eze 2:6  And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
Eze 2:7  And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
Eze 2:8  But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
Eze 2:9  And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
Eze 2:10  And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. [“the seven plagues of the seven angels”]

It is when we discover that we are required to “prophesy before many people” and live out these words in our lives that we all end up praying this prayer:

Luk 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

We will one and all “eat this book”, and in doing so, we will “fulfill the seven plagues of the seven angels” in our own lives. It is at our own peril that we think we can eat all but “the seven plagues of the seven angels”. We will eat this entire book, including the seven last plagues. It will either be while we live in these vessels of clay, or they will be fulfilled in our lives as resurrected spiritual bodies in a place called “the lake of fire”. But in the end, “the mystery which has been hid from ages and generations” will be fulfilled and realized in “every man”, and “every man” will experience that same “one event” which we have referenced so many times in Ecc 9:2.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Now let’s remind ourselves what that “mystery of God, which He declared to His servants the prophets” really is. Here are the scriptures:

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Col 1:28, is the fulfillment of Rev 10:9-11. Let’s read it again:

Rev 10:9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
Rev 10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
Rev 10:11  And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

“Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings”. It is this commission, to be a faithful witness to the words of this prophecy, which is an integral part of the experience of the seven vials of the seven angels, and the “finishing of the mystery of God” and the birth of “Christ in you”.
So “every man will be presented perfect in Christ Jesus” in his own time, and “every man” will, at his own appointed time, “enter into the temple, when the seven plagues of the seven angels are fulfilled” in his life. So there really is but “one event… which comes alike to all men”. All of “man[ kind really] shall… live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”, and “all things [ really] are ours, things present and things to come”, and “every day we live [ really] was written in God’s book before any of them ever were”.

Psa 139:16  Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. (NASB)
Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

With this Truth firmly in place, let’s begin our study of “the words written in this book” which we are instructed from the beginning of this prophecy to read, hear and keep (Rev 1:3).
Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Here we are again plainly told that these seven angels with these seven last plagues are a “sign in heaven”. What does that mean? We will not again go through all the scriptures which demonstrate that “heaven” is the spiritual place of God’s dwelling within the hearts and minds of His saints. We have already demonstrated this to be what the scriptures teach. So what we are being told is that these seven angels with these seven last plagues are a sign to God’s elect which prepares our hearts for the fulfilling of these plagues within the hearts and minds of every man who will ever enter into the temple of God.
But what is the purpose of these “seven last plagues” and why are we told that they are a “great and marvellous sign” in [ our] heavens? Here is the purpose for all of God’s wrath upon our “ungodliness and unrighteousness”:

Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18  For [ Greek, gar, because] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

“The just shall live by faith because the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…” That wrath of God, is first revealed against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of those who are chosen to become “the house of God”, and that chastening fire is just as hot and burning against our ungodliness and unrighteousness as it is against those who are predestined to be in that lake of fire. There is “one event to all”.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Fiery trials are called “fiery” because they are painful. “Fiery trials” and “great earthquakes” are both symbols of how God speaks to and judges the ungodliness and unrighteousness within us. Both are “plagues” upon our weak, flesh and blood, “shapen in iniquity, conceived in sin” bodies.
Why are these plagues called the “last plagues”? The answer is clear. We are told that they are “the manifest judgments of God” (Rev 15:4), and we are told “for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” They are “last” because they are those experiences in our lives which are required to finally finish and “fill up the wrath of God… against our ungodliness and unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). In other words, these are the experiences which are timed to be so earth- shaking and so severe as to change us from within, in our hearts.

Rev 16:18  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

At this point we need to ask, is God’s wrath only against certain evil people whose sins are so egregious that they deserve God’s wrath, whereas others are not? Or is the experiencing of God’s wrath something that is common to all men? What do the scriptures teach about this seventh trumpet which “fills up the wrath of God”? Is there really just “one event that is common to all men”, or are God’s “very elect” to “read, hear, and keep the things written in this book”, except for this seventh trumpet? Stated another way, are we to see ourselves as sinners in need of a Savior and perhaps in need of some chastening from our heavenly Father, but never once in need of His wrath?
The answer to that is to simply ask if you or I have ever “held the truth in unrighteousness”?

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Have you ever been ungodly or unrighteous? Have you ever been an unbeliever? Have you ever taught anything contrary to the truth, while at the same time claiming to be a teacher of and a witness for the Truth? If you have ever done any of these things, and we are all born as sinful flesh and blood (Rom 7:17-21, and Psa 51:5), then this is the Truth concerning God’s wrath as it relates to each of us:

Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath [ Greek – orge] of God abideth on him.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened [ given life], who were dead in trespasses and sins [ did not believe];
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath [ Greek – orge], even as others.
Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

According to the apostle Paul, we have all been “the children of wrath” and “the children of disobedience” and were all “dead in trespasses and sins… hold the truth in unrighteousness, and are chief of sinners” before we were “given life in Christ Jesus”.

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Is this simply a rhetorical statement by the apostle Paul? Or is this not how we are all to come to view ourselves? There are those who contend that God’s wrath is never poured out upon his elect. God’s elect, they contend, are somehow raptured away, or in some way protected from and never, ever exposed to the wrath of God. The whole orthodox Christian world quotes 1Th 5:9 as proof that God has promised to keep his elect from ever having to endure or experience His wrath which is being discussed here in Rev 15-16. Let’s look at that verse and see if it really does guarantee that God’s elect never have and never will endure His wrath upon their ungodliness or unrighteousness. Here Isa 1Th 5:9:

1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath [ Greek – orge], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

It is pointed out by some that the Greek word translated ‘wrath’ in Rev 15:1 is ‘thumos’ and God’s ‘thumos’ wrath is said to be much more severe than God’s ‘orge’ wrath.
For those who make such a clamor and distinction between the Greek words ‘orge’, and ‘thumos’, it is interesting to note that the Greek here in 1Th 5:19, which is touted as proof that we are never to experience God’s wrath, is ‘orge’ and not ‘thumos’. But where in that verse are we told that we never have had and never will have God’s ‘thumos’ or his ‘orge’ wrath poured out upon our ungodliness and unrighteousness? One thing is very clear, there is nothing in 1Th 5:9 that states that God’s elect do not experience His ‘thumos’ wrath.
So is there really any Truth to the argument that the ‘thumos’ wrath of God is somehow disconnected from or different from the ‘orge’ wrath of God? To answer that question we need to remember what we read in the previous chapter of Revelation. Notice how these two Greek words are used in the same verse and are both experienced by all who receive the mark of the beast:

Rev 14:9  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath [ Greek – thumos] of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation [ Greek – orge]; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

So the ‘thumos’ of God is poured out without dilution into the cup of His ‘orge’. This “cup of God’s ‘orge’, which is full of God’s ‘thumos’ is then drunk by “any man who has ever worshiped the beast and his image, and received his mark in his forehead, or in his hand”. That doctrine is in complete accord with all the rest of the New Testament writings on this subject. Notice who God’s thumos and orge are upon in the writings of the apostle Paul:

Rom 2:5  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath [ Greek – orge] against the day of wrath [ Greek – orge] and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6  Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation [ Greek – thumos] and wrath [ Greek – orge],
Rom 2:9  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

So ‘indignation’ and ‘wrath’, ‘thumos’ and ‘orge’, are as closely associated as “tribulation and anguish”. Now since we know that “all things come alike to all” (Ecc 9:2) and since “all things present and things to come are ours” (1Co 3:21-22), and since God’s thumos and His orge are “upon every soul of man that does evil”, and since “all have sinned” (Rom 6:23); How can we not conclude that we do indeed “fulfill the seven plagues of the seven angels”, and we “keep the things which are written” in this 15th and 16th chapters of Revelation?
Job is the Old Testament type of us as we endure these seven plagues which fill up the wrath of God against all of our “ungodliness and unrighteousnesses”. Just like every one of us, Job thought he was totally undeserving of God’s wrath upon his ungodliness and unrighteousness. Job considered himself to be anything but ungodly and unrighteous. If you have any doubt about that then please take the time to read Job 29. Job, just like each of us, despised the judgments of God in his life. Here is what Christ said to Job, in response to Job’s accusations against God’s righteous judgments”

Job 40:6  Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Job 40:7  Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Job 40:8  Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Job 40:9  Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
Job 40:10  Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
Job 40:11  Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
Job 40:12  Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Job 40:13  Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
Job 40:14  Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

It is nothing less than “the pride of life” which leads us to think that  for some reason we ought to escape the “rage of God’s wrath” and “the indignation [ thumos] or God’s wrath [ orge] (Rom 2:8-9). Are we better and less deserving of God’s wrath than Christ?

Isa 54:7  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
Mat 27:45  Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
Mat 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Are we better and less deserving of God’s wrath than the apostle Paul?

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

No, of course we are not, and for those who think they are here is another warning from God, which we can add to Rev 22:18-19:

Jer 25:28  And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.
Jer 25:29  For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.
Jer 25:30  Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

If God’s own Son was “foresaken… in little wrath… for a small moment” who are we to declare that we will never know the wrath of God? We will all “certainly drink of His cup and be baptized with His baptism” and be tread out as “the grapes of the earth”.

Mat 20:22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [ it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

We are all the first generation of Israel that comes up out of Egypt before we die in the wilderness and become those who enter into God’s rest. So this is what we are told about our old man who refuses to drink the cup of God’s wrath which Christ drank of.

Psa 95:11  Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

“God’s rest” is in “His habitation” spoken of in Jer 25:30. We are God’s temple and His habitation, and no man will enter into God’s rest or His habitation or His temple “until the seven plagues of the seven angels have been fulfilled”.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

This last verse takes us back to the first verse. No man can enter the temple till the seven last plagues which “fill up the wrath of God… is fulfilled” in that man’s life.

Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Verse 2 ties in perfectly with the seven last plagues as it speaks of the “sea of glass mingled with fire”.

Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
What is this “sea of glass mingled with fire”? We read about this same ‘sea’ back in Rev 4:6.

Rev 4:6  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

If we fail to understand the symbolism of the “sea” which was part of the temple court, then we will never understand why we are speaking here in Rev 15:2 of “a sea of glass mingled with fire” in this vision of the heavenly temple and its throne and its court. So let’s take a quick look at the ‘sea’ that was between the altar and the tabernacle or the altar and the temple in ancient Israel. In the case of the tabernacle, it is called “a laver”.

Exo 30:17  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 30:18  Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
Exo 30:19  For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
Exo 30:20  When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:
Exo 30:21  So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

Exo 38:8  And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Exo 40:7  And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

The word brass is really copper, and being copper, we know this part of our walk is all outside the temple, before any man “can enter the temple”.  Everything inside the tabernacle or the temple was all of gold. That this ‘laver’, or ‘sea’, is copper and is ‘without’ or outside of the temple, tells us that this part of our walk is not to be thought of as being within the tabernacle or temple. This is made clear by this, and many other verses:

Lev 8:11  And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.

So the ‘sea’, or ‘laver’, is to be considered as part of the court of the temple, where the Levites, who were not the sons of Aaron, and who could not enter into the temple, performed their duties of ministering to the people, and where the priests themselves were to wash and cleanse themselves before entering into the temple “lest they die”, or “until the seven plagues of the seven angels are fulfilled”. That is the spiritual significance of “lest they die”.
It is at the construction of the temple to replace the tabernacle, that we first see this laver, greatly  increased, and in a “line upon line” fashion, we learn that it is now called a “molten sea”.

1Ki 7:23  And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
1Ki 7:24  And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.
1Ki 7:25  It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
1Ki 7:26  And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.

Here are more very important details given us in the account of the construction of the “molten sea”, in the book of 2Chronicles:

2Ch 4:2  Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
2Ch 4:3  And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
2Ch 4:4  It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
2Ch 4:5  And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
2Ch 4:6  He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
2Ch 4:10  And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.

A cubit is said to be 18 inches in length. So this molten sea was 15 feet in diameter. “from brim to brim”. It was 7 and 1/2 feet high, and it was 15 feet in circumference. “And the thickness of  it was a handbreadth.” It stood between the temple and the brasen altar, and only the priests were permitted to wash in this “molten sea”.
“But the sea was for the priests to wash in” tells us why those who are on this “sea of glass mingled with fire”, are God’s “kings and priest”, His very elect, who have overcome the image, name, number and mark of the beast. The Levites, who served the temple but were not the sons of Aaron the high priest, were never permitted to wash in this “molten sea” which is the shadow and type of this “sea of glass, mingled with fire” in the heavens here in Rev 15.
But why is this sea called a sea of glass? The Greek word here is ‘hualinos’, and it means clear or transparent. So those who are on this sea of glass know who they are, from whence they have come and how they have been placed where they are by the sovereign hand of their Lord and Savior. They themselves, like the sea on which they stand at this time in their walk, are completely transparent and have nothing to hide. While it is argued that glass, as we know it today, did not exist when the book of Revelation was written, it is interesting to note that this sea of glass is “like crystal” which was transparent and which did exist when the book of Revelation was written. It is also instructive to note that the glass of today is made of sand which has been melted, unified and purified and made transparent by means of the heat into which it is placed. That is the significance of the fire here as it is the significance of fire throughout God’s Word. God’s fiery Word is the fire mingled with this “sea of glass”. It is God’s Word which has purified and made transparent everyone who stands upon this sea of glass. It is through God’s Word, “Christ in us”, that any of us are given the victory over the beast, his image, his number, his name and his mark. Christ is the fire that is mingled with those who are standing on this clear and transparent “sea of glass”.
The only thing left to inquire of is the fact that everyone on this sea of glass has be given a harp, and the verse ends with these words: “… having the harps of God”. Who have we already been told has “the harps of God”? That is right, once again, this is but a symbol which is peculiar to those who are overcomers and who are Christ’s own “nation of kings and priests”, and who are worthy as Christ’s priests to “wash themselves” in this “sea of glass mingled with fire, before the temple in heaven. Here is why we are told that these people on this “sea of glass” are given harps:

Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Who are these “four beasts and four and twenty elders”? We are not left to wonder. In the next two verses, they themselves tell us who they symbolize, and we find that they are the symbols of the very ” redeemed… priests” who are worthy to wash themselves in the sea which is between the altar and the temple:

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

This same group of overcomers was mentioned in chapter 14, and are again called “redeemed… firstfruits… harping with harps”.

Rev 14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Rev 14:5  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

It is God’s elect who are symbolized by four beasts and four and twenty elders, who are symbolized by virgins who have not been defiled by women, who bow down to the Lamb and tell us that they are kings and priests, who are the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, who were redeemed from among men, who stand on the sea of  glass mingled with fire, and who have the harps of God. But we are also told that they sing while “harping with their harps”. Here is what they are singing:

Rev 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
The “song of Moses” is “the song of the Lamb”, because both sing about the victory of the obedience of the spirit over the rebellion of our flesh. It is a song about the wrath of God being poured out upon the armies of Egypt within us. Here is the song of Moses:

Exo 15:1  Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exo 15:2  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Exo 15:3  The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Exo 15:4  Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
Exo 15:5  The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
Exo 15:6  Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
Exo 15:7  And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
Exo 15:8  And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [ and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
Exo 15:9  The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Exo 15:10  Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Exo 15:11  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Exo 15:12  Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Exo 15:13  Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
Exo 15:14  The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
Exo 15:15  Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Exo 15:16  Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
Exo 15:17  Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
Exo 15:18  The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
Exo 15:19  For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

These two verses in Rev 15, summarize all of these first 19 verses of Exo 15:

Rev 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Rev 15:4  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

The seven plagues of the seven angels are “Thy judgments… made manifest”, and until the seven plagues of the seven angels are fulfilled in our lives, “no man is able to enter into the temple of God in heaven” (Rev 15:8).
Summary

Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

In this verse we are reminded of the Truth that this is a book of signs and symbols of heavenly realities, and that the angels that bring us to see these heavenly realities are “in heaven” which is within our own hearts and minds. We saw that being seven in number, there is no way of separating the first six plagues from the seventh, and that just as we live all seven trumpets, we must also fulfill all seven vials or bowls of “the wrath of God against all ungodliness and unrighteousness” within each of us (Rom 1:18).

Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

In this verse we saw that the only people who are given to wash themselves in the ‘sea’ of God’s fiery words, are His priests. This fiery sea, is not that different from “the devouring fire, and the everlasting burnings” of “the lake of fire”.

Isa 33:14  The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isa 33:15  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

In any case, those who stand on this “sea of glass, mingled with fire”, are certainly the same as “He that walks righteously and speaks uprightly…”
We also saw, that the four beasts, and the four and twenty elders, are also given “the harps of God” and are said to be “harping with their harps”, and they also tell us that they are symbols of God’s very elect.

Rev 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Rev 15:4  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before the for thy judgments are made manifest.

In these two verses we saw that the song of Moses, celebrates the victory of the obedience of the spirit over the disobedience of the flesh. What is so often missed and what is so often denied is that God’s judgments are said to be “great and marvelous”, both here in verse three, as well as in verse one.  We are also told that “God’s judgments are made manifest” through the seven angels with these seven last plagues of God’s wrath upon all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of the lives of those who are found standing on this “sea of glass mingled with fire”.

Rom 1:18  For t he wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Next week, Lord willing we will cover these last four verses of this chapter, and we will be reminded of what the word “opened” means in this, the revelation of Jesus Christ within us.

Rev 15:5  And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
Rev 15:6  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
Rev 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

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What is This “Sea of Glass?”

Updated January 18, 2024

Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:

The Bible makes it very clear that anything “in Christ” which is within the heavens themselves has been through the purifying fires of the word of God:

Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Jer 5:14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Rev 11:3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

It is the Truth which burns and devours the enemies of God’s elect. As I have said before, God’s Word is a purifying fire, and the only way to get to the tree of life is through that purifying fire. That fire will burn out of us all the wood, hay, stubble and tares, which all represent the weaknesses of the flesh and the lies of Babylon and any and everything which cannot withstand that purifying fire.

1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

It is common knowledge that “gold, silver and precious stones” are all formed under extreme pressure and extreme heat. Spiritual gold, silver and precious stones are formed under the extreme heat of the Word of God. What we may not have considered is the fact that this is also true of glass. Glass and crystal are also formed right out of “the sand of the sea” being put into the heat of the fire of the word of God in the heavens of God’s people.

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their [the heavens] voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them [the heavens] hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which [Sun] is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

What we are studying comes “from the end of heaven. His circuit is unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat [of the Sun].” That ‘Sun’ is also The ‘Son.’ In the heat of His words even “the sand of the sea” is melted to form “a sea of glass like unto a crystal.”

Later in this revelation we are told that this “sea of glass” is “mingled with fire,” and that ‘fire’ is revealed as the wrath of God which is poured out on all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, to the spiritual Jew first and also to the spiritual Gentiles.

Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

We have all “believed not… [been] ungodly and unrighteous,” and it is only those who have endured that ‘fire,’ the fire of the word of God, who “stand on that sea of glass mingled with fire, having the harps of God.” When the ‘fire’ of God’s Word is finished with its work, the unstable waters of the sea will all become “a sea of [very stable] glass.” All men will have endured that fire, and all that can be burned up will have been burned up, and there will be only a sea of glass with the harps of God in their hands. Those standing on this ‘sea of glass, mingled with fire… having the harps of God” in their hands, are signified earlier as 144,000 who are also called “the firstfruits of God and The Lamb.”

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the [spiritual] tribes of the children of Israel.

Notice that it is only these 144,000 who are called “the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb.” It is also only these 144,000 who “have the harps of God” in their hands as we see in the very next chapter:

Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Let’s notice who else has these ‘harps”:

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

It is only those who overcome the “image… mark… and number of the name [of] the beast” who are given “the harps of God.” In other words, the symbols of the four beasts, the four and twenty elders, the 144,000 firstfruits unto God and The Lamb, and the seven angels standing on the sea of glass mingled with fire, are all one and the same. These are one and all symbols of those who overcome the image, mark, number of the name of the beast in this present time. They, and they alone are given “the harps of God.”

There were two groups who came up through great tribulation and washed their robes white in the blood of The Lamb in Revelation 7. The first group were the 144,000 who will come up in the “resurrection of life” (Joh 5:27-29). The other group who come up through great tribulations and wash their robes white in the blood of The Lamb are innumerable, and instead of “the harps of God” this group have something else in their hands to distinguish them from those who stand on the sea of glass with “the harps of God.”

Here is what the “great multitude which no man could number” hold in their hands:

Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Rev 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation [“the lake of fire (which) is the second death/white throne judgment” (Rev 20:11-15)], and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

The four beasts and the four and twenty elders have the harps of God and are on the throne of God. Those who are of the company which cannot be numbered have palms in their hands, and they are “before the throne of God.”

Nevertheless we must take note that those who overcome the beast and his image, and mark and the number of his name, stand on a “sea of glass.” It is not called a ‘lake of glass.’ The Greek word for ‘lake’ as in “lake of fire” is:

G3041
λίμνη
limnē
lim’-nay

Probably from G3040 (through the idea of the nearness of shore); a pond (large or small): – lake.

A ‘lake’ is not a ‘sea’. Here is the Greek word for ‘sea’:

G2281
θάλασσα
thalassa
thal’-as-sah

Probably prolonged from G251; the sea (generally or specifically): – sea.

While this Greek word ‘thalassa’ is used in reference to the Sea of Galilee, it is also used to in reference to the Mediterranean Sea where the city of Joppa is located:

Act 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Clearly a ‘lake’ is a much smaller body of water than a ‘sea’, yet we are told that all mankind who are not in the first resurrection to life will be at the great white throne judgment and will be cast into the “lake of fire”:

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea [‘Thalassa’].
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

‘The beast and the false prophet’ signify all men whose names are not written in the book of life and who were not judged in this present time and consequently were not granted to have a part in “the resurrection of life” which takes place at the beginning of the thousand-year reign of Christ and His Christ:

Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

As is possible only in the realm of the spirit, the larger ‘sea’ of all mankind is cast into the smaller ‘lake’ of those who overcome the beast in this present time. That explains why we are told that those who overcome the beast and his image and his mark, and the number of his name are standing on a ‘sea of glass mingled with fire.’ The message we are being given is that they are indeed overcomers in this present time and therefore this ‘sea’, which represents the flesh, is under their feet, and it will be those who are standing on this ‘sea’ who will judge that ‘sea’ of mankind and become the “saviors” who come upon Mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau:

Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

When those ‘Saviors’ shall have completed their job of judging the mount of Esau, and all men of all time have “come up through great tribulation and washed their robes white in the blood of The Lamb”, then we are told that there will be “no more sea.”

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

So the symbolism of the “sea of glass” is the complete destruction of “the sea”, and ‘the sea’ is the symbol of the flesh of all mankind, out of which ‘sea’ the beast in us all “rises up.”

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Where is This Sea of Glass?

That is an easy question to answer:

Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:

This verse accords exactly with where the “great multitude which no man could number” is:

Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

So the ‘sea of glass’ is not in the middle of the throne like the four beasts, neither is it round about the throne as the four and twenty elders are. Rather, it is “before the throne.” Why is it “before the throne?” The pattern of the things in the heavens reveals to us why it is before the throne instead of in and round about the throne. Here is the pattern of this “sea of glass.”

Exo 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

It is “between the tabernacle…and the altar” that we are washed and cleansed of all the blood we have shed on the altar of God, which altar is the cross of Christ.

Luk 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Luk 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luk 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

As we have pointed out so many times, “this generation” is the generation reading and understanding these words. It has nothing to do at this time with those who do not read or understand the sayings of the prophecy of this book (Rev 1:3). “This generation” is you and me and the blood of all the righteous men from Abel until today is required of the old Adam that is within our flesh. This is not addressed to someone else. It is addressed to “he that hath and ear to hear.”

The “heads, and horns and crowns” upon the beast are the old heavens and the old earth which are in the process of passing away and being replaced with the new heavens and the new earth “after the pattern shown us.”

Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

That pattern is, of course, our Lord Himself, and “we have this treasure within” where He dwells on the throne of His entire kingdom and where we stand with Him on a sea of glass “between the temple and the altar.” All who are bless and granted the honor of standing on the sea of glass with the harps of God themselves “came up out of the sea” and were mercifully given to overcome that beast and his image, and his mark and the number of his name, in “this present time” (Rom 8:18). This entire prophecy takes place within the hearts and minds of His elect where He directs “all things after the counsel of His own will,” burning out the wood, hay and stubble. Here is how we stand with Him on that sea of glass mingled with fire” even though were were at one time a part of the sea of mankind:

Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

So once again, we discover that the “sea of glass,” just like every other symbol throughout the word of God, is part of the revelation of Jesus Christ, by working all things within us after the counsel of His own will.

Summary

We did not get to the four beasts in the middle of and about the throne in heaven this week, but we did see that the word ‘seats’, as in “24 seats around the throne”, is the exact same Greek word ‘thronos’, which is also translated ‘throne’ in the very same verse.

We have seen that God did not reveal the fullness of the meaning of the heavens or the meaning of the earth or the details of all the things that happen therein to the prophets or kings or patriarchs of the Old Testament. We have seen that revelation is accomplished incrementally throughout all scripture so that the entire process of salvation, from the physical realm with its birth and death, to the spiritual realm with its deaths and resurrections, are all being revealed in increments as each book is added to the scriptures. The fact that there are both defiled and purified heavens is revealed only in the New Testament and that only through the sum of God’s Word. The fact that there are two resurrections is revealed fully only in the New Testament and that only through the sum of God’s Word. So it is with all of the symbols of this book of signs and symbols. It is being revealed to us, and it will continue to be revealed to us until the day we draw our last breath of air.

Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

We have seen that every word of this revelation of Jesus Christ is for every man in his own appointed time, and that every man will learn of this revelation in the same incremental, line upon line, precept upon precept manner.

I want to give a special thanks to our brother Scott McGregor for this revised explanation of the significance of this ‘sea of glass” and why it is called a ‘sea’ and not a ‘lake’ of glass.

We have seen that the sea of glass is glass because it symbolizes the burning up of the things of the flesh, including all the lies and false doctrines of the unstable waters of the sea, out of which the beast arises, and upon which unstable waters of the sea the great harlot sits.

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

We have seen that the sea of glass is located between the tabernacle and the altar, because this is the part of our walk in which we are baptized and cleansed of all the blood we have shed upon the altar of the cross of Christ.

We have seen that this is the location for this sea, whether we are the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb, or the great multitude which no man can number. Both those in the resurrection to life and the resurrection to judgment are guilty of the blood of all the prophets from Abel to Zacharias (Luke 11:50-51).

We have seen that even with all the symbolism of evil, including the very crucifixion of Christ which is contained in all these symbols of the things of the true heavens, it is all a necessary part of the beginning “first man Adam” and “the last Adam” (1Co 15:45). It is all part of the revelation of Jesus Christ, in us, Christ in His Father and His Father in both Christ and in us. It is “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:1).

Next week, Lord willing we will complete the coverage of these two verses:

Rev 4:7 And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

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Rev 4:6 The Sea of Glass Before the Throne – Part 1

Rev 4:6 And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Introduction

Let us not forget our study on the first verse of this chapter concerning an “open door in heaven.”

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

In that study we learned that ‘heaven’ is a spiritual realm into which we enter with Christ when the holy spirit comes upon us, and we also learned that an “open door in heaven” is the opening up of our understanding to see and understand the things concerning the kingdom of heaven which is within us. So remember that this “throne in heaven” is within us, and all the things we studied last week, the “four and twenty seats [thrones]” about the “throne in heaven,” are all within.  The word ‘seats’ in verse 4 is the exact same word translated ‘throne’ in the same verse. So it should read “Round about the throne were four and twenty thrones…” and this is all taking place within our heavens within us. That is where are the elders who sit on those 24 thrones, their white raiment and their golden crowns. It is all within the kingdom of God, and “the kingdom of God is within you” living out all of Christ’s parables about “the mysteries of the kingdom of God,” and living out this entire book about the mysteries of the establishing of the kingdom of God with you and me.

Rev 4:4 And round about the throne [Greek: thronos, thrones] were four and twenty seats [Same Greek word, thronos]: and upon the seats [thrones] I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

What we are seeing in this revelation of Jesus Christ is how Christ is revealed to us, in the heavens of our hearts and minds. That is why we are told:

Rev 1:3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

So “the time is at hand to realize and to live out, what is the sea of glass and the “four beasts full of eyes, in the middle of, and round about the throne.”

The Progression of Biblical Revelation

Remember what we read about the heavens in the book of Hebrews earlier:

Heb 8:5 Who [the priests in the temple] serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

It is not revealed in the Old Testament that the priests and the tabernacle, with all of its furnishings and all of its services, were patterns and shadows of heavenly things. Here is all God said to Moses concerning the purpose for the building of the tabernacle.

Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Exo 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Exo 25:40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

“The pattern that was shown you in the mount” is a type of Christ, but  the tabernacle of Moses is presented to Moses and to Israel as “a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” It is presented more as God living on earth, rather than man ascending into God’s heavens. The New Testament reveals to us that the tabernacle of Moses was a shadow of heavenly things, so God wanted it to be exactly as he had revealed it to Moses. He simply did not reveal to Moses that it was a pattern of the true heavens.

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

“The heavenly things themselves” are you and me and all in whom the Father and Christ dwell. The blood of calves and goats was not sufficient to cleanse us. That requires the blood of the true “Lamb of God.” “The heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”

The temple Solomon built was also constructed after the pattern his father David had given Him, but the spirit revealed much more to King David. By this time, much more detail is being added to the pattern of the things shown to Moses in the mount. Here is a brief description of the temple pattern as it was given to King David to give to his son Solomon.

1Ch 28:11  Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
1Ch 28:12  And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
1Ch 28:13  Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.

We could say that God had given King David a vision of an “open door to heaven” and had vastly increased King David’s knowledge of the things of the heavens, except that God still did not reveal to King David that these are patterns of heavenly things. He simply expands King David’s knowledge of His dwelling place exponentially. The tabernacle of Moses had no “porch and houses thereof, no treasuries thereof, nor any upper chambers.” All that was revealed to Moses was the two “inner parlors, and the place of the mercy seat.” It was not given to the Old Testament patriarchs, kings or prophets to understand the spiritual meaning of their own words:

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

There was only Aaron and his four sons, which very soon became two sons, so there was no revelation about the “courses of the priests.” It was all rather elementary when compared with the revelation given King David concerning the building of a permanent house where God would dwell. Many years later, during the times of the prophets, we will learn much more about the things of the heavens and about the temple that would one day be God’s final dwelling place. Yet God did not reveal what was the meaning of their own visions of the things of the heavens, not even to the prophets. It all culminates with this revelation we are now being given about the things in the heavens, and what we are learning is that it is all but types and shadows of “the heavenly things themselves” within us.

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Every Word is for Every Man

Christ is entered into you and me, and everything we are reading about in this Revelation of Jesus Christ is taking place “in heaven.” It is all taking place with Christ’s elect at this time, and since His words “never pass away” it will all, in its own appointed time, take place within the heavens of every man who has ever lived or who ever will live:

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The heaven and earth which pass away, will be replaced with a “new heavens and a new earth,” in which it will be manifestly evident that that new earth is, as we now know, but a very special and beautiful part of the the heavens themselves; “the dwelling place of God Himself.”

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

“The sea” symbolizes all flesh and is the waters out of which the beast arises, upon which beast the great harlot sits.

Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

The revelation of Jesus Christ is incremental, and it is the sum of God’s word, because Christ is that Truth which comprises “the sum of God’s Word. It is “line upon line and precept upon precept” throughout the Bible.

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.

Isa 28:9  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Isa 28:11  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this [is] the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Isa 28:13  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

This progressive form of revelation, applies not only to this open door to the things of heaven in this chapter, but it applies also to this entire revelation with all of its symbols of the seven seals upon this book, the seven trumpets which form the last seal, and the seven vials which make up the last trumpet. It is all “line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.” This progressive form of revelation is to be found in all the symbols within those three parts of this book. It begins in Genesis and every additional book of God’s inspired scriptures add to and expound upon that revelation. The expression of the mysteries of the kingdom of God require all the parables and all of the symbols of this book and all the rest  of scripture to be fully understood. It is inexhaustible and we will be learning about this revelation until the day we draw our last breath of physical air.

What is This “Sea of Glass?”

Rev 4:6  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:

The Bible makes it very clear that anything within the heavens themselves has been through the purifying fires of the word of God:

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Rev 11:3  And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev 11:5  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

It is the Truth which burns up and devours the enemies of God’s elect. As I have said before, God’s Word is a purifying fire, and the only way to get to the Tree of Life is through that purifying fire, and that fire will burn out of us all the wood, hay, stubble and tares, which all represent the weaknesses of the flesh and the lies of Babylon and any and everything which cannot withstand that purifying fire.

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

It is common knowledge that “gold, silver and precious stones” are all formed under extreme heat. Spiritual gold, silver and precious stones are formed under the extreme heat of the Word of God. What we may not have considered is the fact that this is also true of glass. Glass and crystal are also formed right out of “the sand of the sea” being put into the heat of the fire of the word of God in the heavens of God’s people.

Psa 19:1 <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3  There is no speech nor language, where their [the heavens] voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them [the heavens] hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5  Which [Sun] is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6  His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

What we are studying is all ‘from the end of heaven. His circuit is unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat of the Sun.’ That ‘Sun’ is also the ‘Son.’ In the heat of His words even “the sand of the sea” is melted to form “a sea of glass like unto a crystal.”

Later in this revelation we are told that this “sea of glass” is “mingled with fire”, and that ‘fire’ is revealed as the wrath of God which is poured out on all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, to the spiritual Jew first and also to the spiritual Gentiles.

Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 2:9  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11  For there is no respect of persons with God.

We have all “believed not… been ungodly and unrighteous”, and it is only those who have endured that ‘fire’ – the fire of the word of God – who “stand on that sea of glass mingled with fire.” However, when it is finished with its work, the unstable waters of the sea will all become “a sea of [very stable] glass.” All men will have endured that fire, and everything that can be burned up will have been burned up, and there will be only a sea of glass, and there will be “no more sea.”

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

So the symbolism of the “sea of glass” is the complete destruction of “the sea”, and the sea is the symbol of the flesh of all mankind, out of which ‘sea’ the beast in us all “rises up.”

Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Where is This Sea of Glass?

That is an easy question to answer:

Rev 4:6  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:

So the ‘sea of glass’ is not in the middle of the throne like the four beasts, neither is it round about the throne as the four and twenty elders. Rather, it is “before the throne.” Why is it “before the throne?” The pattern of the things in the heavens reveals to us why it is “before the throne” instead of in and round about the throne. Here is the pattern of this “sea of glass.”

Exo 30:18  Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

It is “between the tabernacle and the altar, that we are washed and cleansed of all the blood we have shed on the altar of God, which altar is the cross of Christ.

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Luk 11:50  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luk 11:51  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

As we have pointed out so many times, “this generation” is the generation reading and understanding these words. At this time it has nothing to do with those who do not read or understand. “This generation” is you and me, and the blood of all the righteous men from Abel until today is required of the old Adam that is within our flesh. This is not addressed to someone else. It is addressed to “he that hath and ear to hear.”

The “heads and horns and crowns” upon the beast are the old heavens and the old earth which are in the process of passing away and being replaced with the new heavens and the new earth “after the pattern shown us.”

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

That pattern is, of course, our Lord Himself, and “we have this treasure within” where He dwells on the throne of His entire kingdom and where we stand with Him on a sea of glass “between the temple and the altar.” It is all within the hearts and minds of His elect where He directs “all things after the counsel of His own will” burning out the wood, hay and stubble as we stand with him on that sea of glass mingled with fire.”

Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

So once again, we discover that the “sea of glass”, just like every other symbol throughout the word of God, is part of the revelation of Jesus Christ, working all things within us after the counsel of His own will.

Summary

We did not get to the four beasts in the middle of and about the throne in heaven, this week, but we did see that the word ‘seats’ as in “24 seats around the throne” is the exact same Greek word ‘thronos’ which is also translated throne in the very same verse.

We have seen that God did not reveal the fullness of the meaning of the heavens or the meaning of the earth or the details of all the things that happen therein to the prophets or kings or patriarchs of the old testament. We have seen that revelation is accomplished incrementally throughout all scripture so that the entire process of salvation, from the physical realm with its birth and death, to the spiritual realm with its deaths and resurrections, are all being revealed in increments as each book is added to the scriptures.  The fact that there are both defiled and purified heavens is revealed only in the New Testament and only through the sum of God’s Word. The fact that there are two resurrections is revealed fully only in the New Testament and only through the sum of God’s Word. So it is with all of the symbols of this book of signs and symbols. It is being revealed to us, and it will continue to be revealed to us until the day we draw our last breath of air.

Isa 28:9  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

We have seen that every word of this revelation of Jesus Christ is for every  man in his own appointed time, and that every man will learn of this revelation in the same incremental, line upon line, precept upon precept manner.

We have seen that the sea of glass is glass because it symbolizes the burning up of the things of the flesh, including all the lies and false doctrines of the unstable waters of the sea, out of which the beast arises, and upon which unstable waters of the sea the great harlot sits.

Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Rev 17:1  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

We have seen that the sea of glass is located between the tabernacle and the altar, because this is the part of our walk in which we are baptized and cleansed of all the blood we have shed upon the altar of the cross of Christ.

As always we have seen that even with all the symbolism of evil, including the very crucifixion of Christ which is contained in all these symbols of the things of the true heavens, it is all a necessary part of the beginning Adam and the last Adam. It is all part of the revelation of Jesus Christ, in us, Christ in His Father and His Father in both Christ and in us. It is “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:1).

Next week, Lord willing we will complete the coverage of these two verses:

Rev 4:6  And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:7  And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.