Revelation: The Song of Victory

Revelation 15:1-8

In his classic work, Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer said: 

The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God.[1]

I was reminded of this quote after having lunch with a good friend. He shared how most of us think so highly of ourselves and not so highly of God. That’s convicting.  

The Revelation of Jesus Christ reveals God's immense greatness. From the vision of Jesus in Revelation 1 to the throne room of God in Revelation 4, and through the warnings and judgments described, we see a heavenly Father who cannot be fully expressed in human words. He surpasses all human understanding!

In today’s passage, Revelation 15, we get another glimpse of God’s majesty in a song sung by those he has protected during the tribulation. The sign John saw when he looked into heaven was “great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished” (Rev. 15:1). The tribulation is meant for judgment and warning. Some will heed the warnings and turn to Jesus. 

The Victors (Rev. 15:2)
In Revelation 4:6, John describes seeing a sea of glass before God's throne. Now, he sees that sea of glass again; this time, it is “mingled with fire” (Rev. 15:2a). Standing by the sea of glass are the victors—“those who had conquered the beast” (Rev. 15:2b). These are the ones who refused to take the mark of the beast. Instead, they turned to Jesus and trusted in him. Their victory was achieved through martyrdom. 

In the early church, when Christians faced persecution, the day a person was martyred was called their “Day of Victory.” These victors, now in heaven, have passed through death to stand before the throne of God. He places musical instruments in their hands—harps—to sing a song of praise. 

The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb (Rev. 15:3-4)
The victors' song was “the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb” (Rev. 15:3a). That is an interesting and powerful description. This song connects the Old Testament and New Testament, demonstrating God's work in harmony with his people throughout Scripture. Let’s explore the content of this song.

• Great and amazing are your deeds…
  From Genesis, when the all-powerful God—Elohim—created the heavens and the earth, to Revelation when he ushers in a new heaven and new earth, the works of God are incredible. He is beyond understanding.
  
  
• O Lord God Almighty!
  The name “Lord” is the Hebrew term for Yahweh, describing the personal God who acts on behalf of his people. “God Almighty” is the Hebrew name El Shaddai, meaning the all-powerful God who keeps his promises. God revealed himself as El Shaddai to Abraham and told him about the everlasting covenant God was promising to him and his descendants (Gen. 17:1-2).[2]
  
  
• Just and true are your ways…
  We have followed God's justice throughout Revelation. Everything he does is right and true (Dt. 32:4; Dan. 4:37).
  
  
• O King of the nations!
  God is sovereign over all, and his Son is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Everyone will one day bow before Jesus (Is. 45:23; Phil. 2:10-11). He is the eternal King “who lives forever and ever” (Rev. 15:7b).
  
  
• Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy.
  God is holy—a word that means “set apart” from all others. There is no one like him. God is holy and has made his holiness the essential condition to fix the broken world. A. W. Tozer says, “Whatever is holy is healthy,”[3] and God will restore his holiness in the new heavens and new earth.
  
  
• All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
  The song of Moses and the song of the Lamb conclude with the revelation of God’s righteous acts on earth for all to witness. Seeing his righteousness, everyone will worship him.

What a song of praise!

After this powerful proclamation by those who were faithful unto death, John saw the final activity of the last plagues begin (Rev. 15:5). The song of praise acknowledged God as all-powerful, just, and righteous. Now he must act to judge all evil, the moral sickness on earth. 

One of the four living creatures hands seven bowls full of God’s wrath to seven angels, “clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests” (Rev. 15:6b). The scene here is awe-inspiring.

God’s call for repentance has ended. He will no longer issue warnings. Now, his final judgment on the earth is imminent. John said, “The sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished” (Rev. 15:8).

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 15:1-8.

Talking to God: How does the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb reshape or renew your understanding of God’s greatness and holiness?

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