The Revelation - A Book With 7 Seals ?
/ Ewald Frank
Langue: anglais
Other languages
16. Chapter 15 - The seven bowl judgements and the multitude at the crystal sea
- Foreword
- Chapter 1 - Introduction, The Day of the Lord, Origin and significance of the prophetic word
- Chapter 2 - The seven messages of the resurrected Lord, First message, Keep the first love
- Chapter 3 - The fifth message, The Reformation Age, Strengthening the weak in faith
- Chapter 4 - A glimpse into heaven
- Chapter 5 - The mysterious book with the seven seals
- Chapter 6 - The opening of the seals, The unveiling of the power of the antichrist, A general view
- Chapter 7 - The sealed from the Jews
- Chapter 8 - The seventh seal, The silence in heaven, Mercy seat becomes judgement seat, Introduction to the seven trumpet judgements, The first four trumpets
- Chapter 9 - The incomparable torment, The fifth trumpet the first woe
- Chapter 10 - An intermediate vision The open book, The Lord as the Angel of the covenant
- Chapter 11 - The second intermediate vision, The measuring of the temple and the ministry of the two witnesses
- Chapter 12 - The woman clothed with the sun, Christ and His Own, Satan the red dragon and his followers
- Chapter 13 - The visions of Daniel in review of and in connection with the Revelation
- Chapter 14 - The Lamb and the sealed 144,000
- Chapter 15 - The seven bowl judgements and the multitude at the crystal sea
- Chapter 16 - The seven bowls of wrath, The final judgements of Gods indignation
- Chapter 17 - The woman riding on the beast
- Chapter 18 - The destruction of the great Babylon
- Chapter 19 - The rejoicing in heaven over the destruction of Babylon, The marriage of the Lamb
- Chapter 20 - Binding of Satan, Completion of the first resurrection by the martyrs, The Millennial Kingdom
- Chapter 21 - Announcing of the new heaven and the new earth, The glory of the New Jerusalem, The terrible fate of the lost
- Chapter 22 - The river of life and the trees of life, The paradise-like condition during the Millennial Reign
- Appendix - The 70 weeks of Daniel and the current events with Israel in the light of Bible prophecy
"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." (v. 1). As the announcement expresses, the vengeance of God will come to its climax through these plagues. This will take place right at the end of the great tribulation.
In the 2nd verse we are acquainted with a totally different theme. There are shown those who overcame and were victorious during the time of tribulation. "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, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
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." (vv. 2-3).
As already dealt with in chapter 4, the sea of glass like crystal is before the throne. The Bride will be on the throne (3: 21), those coming out of the tribulation before the throne, (compare 7: 9). At this time the foolish virgins and the Jews are shown together before the throne. God's throne at that time will be in heaven as well as on earth (Mt. 25: 31). The context clearly shows that this multitude has obtained the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name and consists of two groups. The same pressure which comes upon the true believers before the Rapture without martyrdom will come upon those who are left behind, the foolish virgins and those of Israel with martyrdom, because Satan then is cast upon the earth. Here we see those who remained faithful during the great persecution, in chapter 20 we see those who died as martyrs.
The song spoken of here, is already mentioned in chapter 5 as it was heard being sang by the heavenly hosts. Here we are dealing with the faithful Jews and those remaining faithful during the tribulation from the nations. This is confirmed by the fact that two songs will be sang: the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. The text is being brought upon the common denominator, because it is the same God Who deals with Israel and with the nations who are included in His plan of salvation. The Lord is being praised as the Almighty God, Whose works are great and marvellous. He is true and just in all His ways, the King of saints and over the nations.
At the end of these judgements, in the transition period, the ushering in of the Millennium will take place. Therefore it is written that all nations will come to worship the Lord: "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 judgements are made manifest." (v. 4).
In reference to the Millennial Reign, the Old Testament prophets gave very useful information: "And it shall come to pass that, from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord." (Isa. 66: 23).
The most terrible judgement will come upon the nations which will fight against Jerusalem, but even with them not all will die, but some will remain alive. "And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will smite all the peoples that have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth …
And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." (Zech. 14: 12+16). The assertion that all humanity will die during the judgements and the purifying process before God's Kingdom is established on earth, does not comply with the overwhelming testimony of the Holy Scripture.
Thus saith the Lord: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isa. 2: 2-4).
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts: It shall yet come to pass that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities;
And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I will go also.
Yea, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you." (Zech. 8: 20-23).
Before all people come to worship the Lord in Jerusalem, what the seer records must be fulfilled: "And after that I looked and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
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.
And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
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." (Rev. 15: 5-8).