The Last Praise
(Rev 15:1~8)
The focus of Revelation is not only upon a specific day in the future, but on the span of time that covers today also. Therefore, it is a todays praise, orchestrated and moving toward the last moment instead of a book arranged in a chronological order. Lets thinks about this last praise.
1. The last woes are the last praise. The Last Day actually refers to the period between the time of Jesus first coming and his second coming. Gods judgment covers the three stages of woes: breaking the seals, sounding the trumpets, and the bowls of plagues. The third sign in todays passage reflects Gods constant love for us to save us from the power of Satan even by pouring his wrath from the bowls of last woes. God hates sin. Thats why he makes us experience his wrath here on earth in order to spare us from the weeping and gnashing of teeth later outside his eternal kingdom. A true sign is Gods informing us of his plan for what is in store for us. It is also to help us know the nature of ourselves, Satan, and the will of God reflected in our present trials. As in Rev. 8:13, some people survive the woes and yet dont repent of sins. Their biggest sin is worshipping the beast and Babylon instead of God. The greatest goodness is a resolution to worship God.
2. The last praise calls for passing the sea of fire. The sea of glass refers to baptism and repentance. A group of Gods people praise the Lord in front of his throne, singing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb by the sea of glass. They are the people who mourn over their flaws, shortcomings, and their sinful nature. Notice David. He is the one who praised God as he went through his sea of fire while King Saul tried to do with his own strength. Thus he hated David as much as he suffered from his bitterness. Although he appeared to be a worship addict, he failed to be grateful to God for his kingship over 40 years and stop hating David. Helpless as we are, we just need to follow the sign of Gods instruction. This application in itself is a miracle to us. Therefore the supreme sign of miracle is coming forward to the Lord with our repentnt heart.
3. The last praise is the song of the Lamb. Its not self-praise. The Egyptian soliders who chased the Israelites were drowned when they tried to cross the Red Sea. The Israelites witnessed the Egyptians drowning with their own eyes. We also need to sing our last song, which drives us to the last moment. Thus the current of redemption history has flowed from Exodus to Revelation. The way of God is right and fair. Those who chase the power of the dragon have ten horns, seven heads, and ten crowns, demonstrating their splendid name values. But on the other side, nameless people stand on the mountain of salvation. In Matthew 1, Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba, Uriahs wife and Mary were honored by being enrolled in the holy genealogy. Salvation is entirely up to God. We are able to defeat the number of the beast not by our own power but by God that holds us tight in his arms. Our faith is not only about devoting ourselves to God, but also about trusting in Him as our protector.
4. The last praise opens the Tent of Witness in heaven. We need to make sure that all our trials and tribulation ends up with opening the Tent of Witness in heaven. The best way of defeating the power of Stan on earth is worshipping God. Revelation is neither a magical manual nor a solution for the heresies. It can be interpreted only through the Bible. The seven bowls are the last woes. We need to take the role of a priest who proclaims that Gods wrath is the token of his love. Christians are Gods models whove already enjoyed the heavenly kingdom on earth. Here is a testimony from a mother who attended a Parent School program. 'I had a sham divorce with my ex-husband. Later I remarried my present husband, dreaming of happiness. But my children began to express suffering through their problem behaviors. Believing what my husbands daughter said, I beat my younger child. However, discovering that I was deceived, I began to hate her, who made me a bad step-mother. However, after she was sent to the household of my husbands brother, I made the application of carrying a cross by bringing her back home. Still, however, every time I saw her, I couldnt suppress my anger. I have been through thick and thin with my children. But as for my husbands child, I couldnt but hate her. I prayed. Lord, I cannot help hating her. Have mercy on me and this child! After coming to our church, I recognized it was I who made my ex-husband a monster. Now I totally rely on God, praying that he will help me restore my relationship with the child that God entrusted to me and my own children.' What a story of the seven-bowl judgment! Yet even in the midst of this woe, I believe, she will be able to sing her last praise.
I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues--last, because with them Gods wrath is completed (Rev 15:1).
