Year 0, Day 25: Revelation 15-16

The Set-up

Revelation 15 is primarily about setting up the seven angels of Revelation 16.  So let’s see what we can learn about these angels.  Certainly the number seven is symbolic as a sign of God’s perfect plan.  The number seven has been with us almost entirely through this study of Revelation.  Of course, this is also the third set of seven (seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls).  Remember that three is the number that points us to God.  Therefore, three groups of seven would certainly imply a greater emphasis on the divinity elements of the story.  In a sense, this is a representation of God’s holy number – 777. 

The fact that these angels come out of the temple is saying that they come from God to do God’s bidding.  We also know that the temple of God is known to be where the laws (God’s righteousness) dwell.  It is possible to conclude that they come with the specific message that nobody who goes against God’s laws can ever hope to stand righteously.  Those who go against God’s law will have to deal one way or another with coming face-to-face with God’s wrath.

These angels are clothed as though ready for service in the temple.  Remember that the white robes represent purity, especially in terms of priestly behavior.  White linen also represents royalty and their ability to rule – especially in judgment over the world.  The golden belt around the chest of the angel is significant of the great high priest who leads the Jews in worship.  Again, we see that the dress is meant to signify someone who does a great religious act in God’s name.

The following scene about the Victors of Christ (v. 2-4) is meant to remind us of the scene of Revelation 4:6 when the four living creatures are first introduced.  The sea of glass presented in Rev. 4:6 is now is mixed with fire.  Fire is typically a symbol of judgment, and John uses this change in scenery to prepare the listeners for the judgment to come.  The victors of Christ are routinely interpreted as martyrs.  The message being said here is that although they died in life, through the lamb they were able to overcome the beast and all those with him.  The real victory in life is not to judiciously preserve one’s life but to face the worst that evil brings your way and to be faithful to God – even to death.  True victory does not always include being alive when the war is over.

Finally, let’s talk about the temple.  The glory of God is a familiar analogy in the Old Testament. 

• Isaiah 6:4 uses the image of smoke as does the story of the exodus in Exodus 13:21.  The idea of nobody being able to endure the temple when God’s presence completely fills it is also common to the Old Testament.
• Exodus 40:34-35 states that Moses could not enter the tabernacle when God first filled it.  1 Kings 8:10-11 states that when Solomon’s temple was dedicated that the priests could not minister within it when God came to dwell inside. 

There are three possible meanings for this passage.  Some suggest that this is an image for the fact that God’s plans are clouded from mankind.  Others suggest that this is simply an analogy that no human being is capable of approaching the glory and righteousness of God.  However, the fact that the Bible states that nobody could approach the temple until the bowls and plagues had been used likely implies that the message is really that humankind cannot interfere with God’s plans.  When God does finally decide to judge the world, we can do nothing but receive the judgment.  By that time, the time for action and repentance will have passed us by.  That is a stark message to hear on Christmas day, but it is a true message.  Unto us a child has been born.  But there is a time limit with respect to how long any of us have to hear the call to repentance, too.

True Judgment

So now let’s move on to Revelation 16.  Here we have the seven terrors of God’s bowl judgments.  There is a remarkable difference between the bowl judgments and the trumpet/seal judgments.  In the bowl judgments there is no limitation on the amount of destruction handed out.  As we discovered in Revelation 15, God’s limit has been reached.  Judgment has now come in full.

The first plague is the plague of ulcerous sores.  The words used to describe the results of this plague are the same as in the Exodus story.  The message is clear: those who disobey God can expect pain in judgment.

 

The second and the third terror turns the seas and rivers to blood, and everything died.  This is also reminiscent to the Exodus story.  Note that like the Exodus and the Nile River, everything within the water dies.  God’s judgments continue to be thorough if nothing else.

The fourth terror is the sun’s ability to scorch the earth.  Scorching is reminiscent of fire, and we know that fire represents judgment/condemnation for the unrighteous and judgment/purification for the righteous.

The fifth terror is the terror of darkness.  This is reminiscent of the Exodus story.  Furthermore, the contrast between the fourth and fifth judgments should not be ignored.  At this point, note that those to whom the judgments of God fall upon now curse God and they do not repent.  As we approach the end of the world and as God’s power becomes even more apparent, the hearts of humanity grow even more cold and unrepentant.

The sixth terror is reminiscent of the parting of the waters of the Red Sea.  Again, the symbolism of retelling the Exodus story shouldn’t be missed.  God’s control over water is a clear sign of His power, especially in the Old Testament.  We know of the Exodus story.  In 1 Kings 18:16-46 we have the story of Elijah and the priests of Ba’al. 

It is also possible that John is tapping into history.  When the Persians came to Babylon to conquer it (and free the captive Hebrew people to allow them to return to Jerusalem) the defense of Babylon was impenetrable.  However, the river Euphrates ran right through the city, and Cyrus (King of Persia) developed an innovative plan to divert the waters of the Euphrates away from Babylon.  The riverbed dried up, and the Persians had an easy access route into the city.  If John has this historical story in mind, he is tapping into the story about the judgment of Babylon in order to remind his listeners that God will deliver them out of their captivity.  God can penetrate even the best defenses of the enemy.

At this point we have another “break” in the progression of the bowl judgments just like we had a break in the progression of trumpets/seals before the seventh one.  Now we find the three evil spirits. 

• From a linguistic perspective, there is a play on words here.  The word for spirit is “pneuma,” which can also mean breath.  Thus, to say that an evil spirit came out of the mouth of the dragon, beast, and false prophet is also to say that they breathed out an evil breath. 
• The spirits are in the form of frogs, which should immediately remind us about the plagues of the Exodus.  Frogs are not designated as clean animals, thus they should be seen as a symbolically destructive sign.  Frogs are continuously croaking.  In the ancient world, the frog was an analogy to a person who talked often but never really had anything important to say.  Even in our fairy tales, princes are turned into frogs as a punishment to become “meaningless.”  Not only are these spirits an evil influence, but they are a meaningless evil influence. 
• Also, frogs have often been seen as the allies of dark forces.  They have often been connected to witchcraft and dark arts.  Thus, these spirits are symbolically evil, meaningless influences that are connected to the enemies of God. 

The evil spirits go out into the earth and gather the people together for a final battle against God.  This is the place in the Bible where the concept of Armageddon (City of Megiddo) or Har-mageddon (Mountain of Megiddo) comes in.  Megiddo is a mountain on the road between Damascus and Egypt, and it is a place where many battles have been waged.  Thus, it would be familiar to the ancient world as a symbol of battle and conflict.  As judgment comes, not only will mankind’s hearts be hardened but they will begin to believe that they can even battle against God directly.  We are such a depraved race without the call of Christ to repentance and renewal of the Holy Spirit!

As the seventh bowl is poured out, all nature seems to rebel against humanity.  Earthquakes destroy mankind’s symbol of glory.  Cities collapse.  Islands and mountains rebel against mankind.  Hail reigns down onto humanity.  In the final bowl of judgment, mankind stands alone in the path of God’s wrath and is doomed.  God’s power is so dominant that we can do nothing but stand in God’s awe and be judged.

This is a tough day of reading in juxtaposition of the fact that today is Christmas.  But it is still a very appropriate reading.  The reality is that without Christ all of us are guilty and deserve to experience God’s wrath in the form of judgments.  But thanks be to God that we have Christ who has made the way to avoid the full wrath of God!  Turn and repent while we can!  Turn to God, confess our imperfection, and follow Christ.