Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
August 29, 2004
Doomsday On Its Way
Revelation 15:1-8
INTRO: Doomsday is on its way; that is the theme of this chapter. Dr. Henry Morris calls this chapter,”Prelude to Doomsday.”
Revelation 15 is the shortest chapter in the Revelation. It serves as a prelude to the events that fill chapter 16.
Yes, Doomsday is coming! This is not just a statement; it is not a man with a sign declaring it. It is a truth.
The Bible is a record of God’s dealings with man. The Bible tells us that Adam’s sin brought death and judgment to mankind (Rom 5:12). God is not happy with the wicked. Psalm 7:11 says: “....God is not happy with the wicked every day.” God’s holiness and righteousness demands judgment. Because of man’s wickedness, God is righteousness judged the wicked in Noah’s day (Gen 6:5-8). Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by a righteous God (Gen 19:1-29). Romans 1 tells of God’s righteous judgment on individuals who refuse to live for Him (Rom 1:21-28). God’s final judgment is spoken of in I Thes 1:10; 5:9;and II Thes 2;12.
I. VS 1, THE SIGN IN HEAVEN
A. The Bible says: “And I saw another sign....” This is the third sign spoken of in Revelation. Three are associated with signs in the Bible:
1. Moses received three signs.
2. Joseph received three signs.
3. Gideon received three signs.
4. Saul received three signs.
5. Elijah.....
6. Three signs are given in the Revelation.
B. “Great and marvelous.”
1. John saves a prelude to the vials.
2. God’s work is great and marvelous (vs 3).
3. The last plagues are the greatest ones.
a) Morris says, “God had been speaking to men in His wrath, but they would not heed. Now He would vex them in His sore displeasure (Psalm 2:5)” (283).
b) During the tribulation, the wrath of God will grow worse and worse proving that these judgments are sequential, not parallel.
C. “In them is filled up the wrath of God.”
1. The word seven is found seven times in this chapter. Seven is the number of completion. The wrath of God is filled up. The cup of His wrath is full.
2. “Filled up” also means “to bring to conclusion, to the ultimate goal, a fulfillment of divine purpose.”
3. “Wrath” is the Greek word thymos which describes “rage, or a passionate outburst of anger.”
a) All unforgiven sin meets God’s wrath (14:8).
b) God’s final wrath will be fierce.
II. VS 2, THE SEA OF GLASS
A. Note that it says, “I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire.”
1. This sea is the tranquil, shining, glistening, transparent platform in front of God’s throne (4:6).
2. “Mingled with fire.”
a) This is the fire of God’s judgment which is about to be poured out on the unregenerate.
b) Unbelievers will face the fire of God’s wrath (Heb 10:27; 12:29).
B. Around the throne John saw the tribulation saints, folks who had been saved during the tribulation. They are:
1. Victorious over the beast.
a) They are victorious because of their faith (I Jn 5:4).
b) In Rev 3:7, we read of the beast’s short lived triumph.
c) Rev 20:4-5 tells us of the victorious resurrection of these tribulation saints.
2. Victorious over the image of the beast.
a) They refuse to worship the image of the beast.
b) Their worship is reserved for the true and living God.
3. Victorious over his mark and over the number of his name.
a) Those who refuse the mark of the beast face execution (13:17).
b) God’s people are victorious because of the blood (Rev 12:11).
C. “Having the harps of God.”
1. They rejoice and sing praises to God.
2. There will be stringed instruments in heaven.
III. VSS 3-4, THE THEME OF THE SONG OF THE REDEEMED
A. Vs 3, two great songs are heard: songs of victory; songs of praise.
1. “The song of Moses.” This song is found in Exodus 15:1-18. This is a song of victory and deliverance.
a) They are delivered from Pharaoh and Egypt.
b) The sea through which Israel was delivered destroyed the Egyptian army.
2. “Song of the Lamb.”
a) This song was first heard in Revelation 5:8-14.
b) God is faithful to deliver His elect.
c) Great and marvelous are His works (Psa 139:14).
d) “Lord God Almighty”– this says He is omnipotent.
e) He is just, and He is the Kings (Rev 19:16).
B. Vs 4, “Who shall not fear thee....” Fear means to stand in awe and reverence.
1. “Glorify thy name.” This refers to Jer 10:7. The way of perpetual happiness is to know the Lamb and glorify His name.
2. “For thou only art holy.”
a) He is the only way of salvation; He is the sinless Lamb.
b) He alone is completely right.
3. “All nations shall come and worship before thee.” This is future referring to the millennium.
4. “For thy judgments are made manifest.” The reality of His judgments are always just. What He does in the last half of the tribulation will be in perfect harmony with His character.
IV. VSS 5-8.THE SEVEN ANGELS AND GOD’S PLAN
A. Vs 5, God is the source of the plagues because God’s presence dwell in the temple of heaven (Rev 11:19).
1. It was to this temple that Jesus ascended so that He could put the blood on the mercy seat (Heb 9:12).
2. This temple of heaven is opened to John so that he could see how terrible the judgment will be upon the unbelievers.
B. Vs 6, Here we see the administrators of the sever judgment of God. These angels administer the seven last plagues.
1. They are clothed in holiness and purity.
2. Their golden belts stand for the authority of God. They are God’s official representatives.
C. Vs 7, One of the cherubim, high ranking angels, hands to the seven angels the vials of wrath. God lives “for ever and ever” eternal.
D. Vs 8, Smoke is an emblem of majesty. God’s presence is also in view here. This smoke is also representative of God’s wrath.
1. This cloud will stay in the temple until the earth is cleaned, purged, prepared for the millennial kingdom.
2. The last 3 ½ years of tribulation will be terrible.
CONCLUSION: Be prepared; trust Jesus.
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott
Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com