We have been learning that the visions so far have taken us from earth to heaven, and back. Chapter 15 opens with a vision from heaven, introducing the last 7 plagues and the 7 angels that will deliver them. Verse 2 talks about the glassy sea mixed with fire (symbolizes judgment), and beside it were the ones who had successfully been victorious over the beast, his image and the false prophet. To be at the glassy sea, means that they would have to be dead. We know this because no one can be in the presence of God the Father and live. There was some questions here about how could these people be called successful and yet be dead and the demonic trinity still be in power? Very good question.
These people who are at the glassy sea, are the ones who remained true to God until death. This is what Jesus calls all of his believers to do. Endure to the end, be true to the end, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." These people who were killed, by the power of Satan are up in heaven, Satan is still around on earth at this time and still very much in power. In verse 3 these people are singing the new song of Moses. Remember this song was started by the 144,000, and has been building in strength and power. If you go back to Daniel chapter 2 and look at the statue, and the rock that is mentioned there; this rock crushes the statue and starts to grow until it takes over the whole earth. This rock symbolizes Jesus Christ, and His turning the earth from darkness to light.
The chapter ends with the seven angels dispensing their bowls of judgment on the earth.
Chapter 16 opens with the seven angels each being introduced and dispensing their bowls onto the world. These seven judgments should look familiar to you if you have studied Exodus and Moses fight with Pharaoh to let God's people go; these seem to be the same plagues. Look carefully at who it is that is affected by these plagues from God; it affects only the ones with the mark of the beast, who like pharaoh before them did not turn from their unbelief. The ones with the mark of the beast, they cannot be turned so this chapter is confirmation of this fact. Verse 12 talks about the 6th angel and he is drying up the Euphrates River, making it possible for the kings of the east to make their way to Israel and Jerusalem. Notice verse 13, the demonic trinity, adds to the curses already being handed out by God. Why is this? As we learned from Exodus, pharaoh's priests could not stop the plagues but could only help with the increase. The devil can only spread suffering, he can not get rid of suffering. This is a way that you can expose Satan and his workmanship.
Verse 15 says "Behold I come like a thief!", this is Jesus talking, notice the timing around the time of the Battle of Armageddon. Which coming of Jesus is this?? How many comings of Christ did Jesus tell us about?? My Bible only tells me about two, his first advent, and this one! If you read 1 & 2 Thessalonians carefully, no mention of when the catching up in the clouds takes place.
The catching up of believers would take place when Jesus comes in the clouds with great power as mentioned in Daniel Chapter 7. This is why there are so many schools of thought on how the end will come about. It has been my intent to bring the whole Bible to the table, and not just the verses that back a particular agenda. God tells us to study, if we are right or wrong on this issue, will not keep you in or out of heaven. If you believe this, then what does it matter. All we know for certain is that it will go God's way, and we will not know which way this was until after the fact! "God is still on the Throne"!!
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