March 8: THE REMNANT DESCRIBED (part 7)

And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” Revelation 15:2-4

There is a multi-faceted victory for the last-day remnant. This victory occurs while they are still on earth, before the seven last plagues and the triumphant return of Jesus. Toward the end of this period, Satan’s fury has so intensified toward God’s people that they must endure the fiercest testing of loyalty to Him in the history of the world. It is extremely important to note that as the faithful are preaching, Jesus, our High Priest, is interceding from Heaven. This vital connection between Heaven and earth effects the drawing power of the Holy Spirit upon all who will receive the gift of repentance.

The foundation stone of God’s throne is sapphire (Exodus 24:10). Jewish scholars believe that the original stones upon which the Lord wrote the Ten Commandments given to Moses were cut from this foundation stone. In Revelation 4:6, John describes it as a sea of glass, emphasizing the sheer enormity of its blue beauty! God’s victorious remnant is depicted in John’s later vision (15:2) as standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire. They are firmly grounded in the law of love and liberty (James 2:12) as they endure fiery trials in the final days of this fallen earth’s history.

The beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name—over which the remnant is victorious—together represent a vast, worldwide system of false worship set up by men under the inspiration of Satan. The last-day remnant is keenly and gratefully aware that the only possible way to overcome the enemy’s powerful deceptions is by personal, individual surrender to Jesus daily. This is a way of life. Apart from a love relationship with Him (He must be your first love!), there is no hope of recognizing and avoiding the snares laid by the archenemy of souls.

While there are strong similarities between the seven trumpets and the seven bowls of wrath, they do not occur simultaneously. The trumpets occur over a long period of centuries in various pockets of the world, are redemptive, and happen while Jesus is still interceding and grace is still available. The seven bowls of wrath, God’s last plagues, are worldwide, punitive and last only a short period of time after the close of probation. Heavenly intercession for the lost has ended (see Revelation 15:8 & 22:11). God’s living remnant will be protected as the bowls of His judgments [are being] manifested.

Notice that the seventh description of the remnant corresponds with main points of the three angels’ messages! Compare Revelation 14:6-12 with 15: 2-4. Several key words to note are: nations, fear (meaning reverence), glorify, judgment, worship, beast, image, mark, name

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25