The Victorious Ones
"And I saw as a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who do gain the victory over the beast, and his image, and his mark, [and] the number of his name, standing by the sea of the glass, having harps of God, and they sing the song of Moses, servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, `Great and wonderful [are] Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty, righteous and true [are] Thy ways, O King of saints, who may not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? because Thou alone [art] kind, because all the nations shall come and bow before Thee, because Thy righteous acts were manifested.' " (Revelation 15:2-4 - Young's Literal Translation)
We were told in chapter four that the sea of glass is before God's throne. If the sea of glass in verse two is the same one then these people are standing before God's throne. These are the ones who had victory over the beast: the Tribulation martyrs. In God's eyes, we win the victory when we give up all for him. As Jim Elliot, one of the missionaries killed by the Auca Indians, said, “A man is no fool to give up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
These men and women, of whom the world is not worthy, stand before the throne of God with harps. Verse three tells us what they sing. They sing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb.
It is debated what the Song of Moses is. Some believe that it is the song that Moses and the people of Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea as recorded in Exodus fifteen. If this is the case then these saints in heaven would see the Pharaoh as symbolic of Satan and the forces of evil.
This is what Moses sang:
I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power.
Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.
By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy boasted, 'I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.'
But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall upon them.
By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by.
You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.
The LORD will reign for ever and ever.
(Exodus 15:1b-18 – New International Version)
The Song of the Lamb is that which John records in Revelation. Notice that although these are martyrs who gave their lives for the Lord, they do not speak of the things which they suffered and endured. They do not praise their own faithfulness or courage. Instead their praise is centered upon God's greatness.
They praise him for being all powerful. They praise him for his pure character. They proclaim him King of the nations. They announce that all peoples will worship the Lord. Their song is a beautiful song of praise.
The character of God as praised in this song should be constantly in our minds as we continue in Revelation. His wrath comes from a pure heart. We need to remember this.
We were told in chapter four that the sea of glass is before God's throne. If the sea of glass in verse two is the same one then these people are standing before God's throne. These are the ones who had victory over the beast: the Tribulation martyrs. In God's eyes, we win the victory when we give up all for him. As Jim Elliot, one of the missionaries killed by the Auca Indians, said, “A man is no fool to give up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
These men and women, of whom the world is not worthy, stand before the throne of God with harps. Verse three tells us what they sing. They sing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb.
It is debated what the Song of Moses is. Some believe that it is the song that Moses and the people of Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea as recorded in Exodus fifteen. If this is the case then these saints in heaven would see the Pharaoh as symbolic of Satan and the forces of evil.
This is what Moses sang:
I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power.
Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.
By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy boasted, 'I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.'
But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall upon them.
By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by.
You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.
The LORD will reign for ever and ever.
(Exodus 15:1b-18 – New International Version)
The Song of the Lamb is that which John records in Revelation. Notice that although these are martyrs who gave their lives for the Lord, they do not speak of the things which they suffered and endured. They do not praise their own faithfulness or courage. Instead their praise is centered upon God's greatness.
They praise him for being all powerful. They praise him for his pure character. They proclaim him King of the nations. They announce that all peoples will worship the Lord. Their song is a beautiful song of praise.
The character of God as praised in this song should be constantly in our minds as we continue in Revelation. His wrath comes from a pure heart. We need to remember this.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 5:14 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home