November 4: ALL THE WAY HOME
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. Revelation 15:2
The lineup of angels that we saw (v.1), calmly poised to deliver the “bowl plagues” upon the world’s unrepentant sinners is in vivid contrast to this verse. The plagues are described as having the full measure of God’s fury toward sin, but here we see a full measure of victory over sin. The wicked, for whom the final plagues are reserved, have no appreciation for the patient mercy of Him who desires to save them. Nevertheless, every day there are individuals from among the wicked who realize that they perish with hunger (Luke 15:17) for the bread of life; they turn to the Lord Jesus who is watching and waiting for them. Glory to God! While they are still a great way off (v.20) the Savior runs to meet them where they are, joyfully embracing and welcoming them in full readiness to guide them safely home. All the way Home! This is a saving relationship with Christ.
Today’s verse is a picture of the total victory of the saved. It is a glimpse ahead of the redeemed in heaven standing before the throne of God. The sea of glass, like calm waters, has been seen before (4:6). Here it is mingled with fire. John the Revelator had earlier been given a vision of this happy throng: These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (7:14). To see glimpses ahead of the redeemed in heaven, standing victoriously before heaven’s throne after the great controversy has ended, encourages each of us to remain faithful; to stand firm upon the Rock: Christ, who said: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).
Water and fire represent two types of cleansing. Water baptism represents a washing away of past sins. Thus, the new believer begins life all over again, forgiven of previous blunders. It is a new birth. This is what is symbolized by being immersed: a death and burial to the old ways and arising to a new day, fresh and clean (see Romans 6:4). Now brace yourself. Afterwards, Satan works double overtime to erode the commitment of the new believer and to prevent the Lord’s work of sanctification. John the Baptist, the mighty forerunner for Christ, did a great preparatory work in the world for the Lord. And he knew that his work was a mere beginning meant to initiate a mighty follow-up work in the believer’s heart. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
With full and unhindered availability of God’s word, the last-day followers of Christ will exhibit before a watching universe the total cleansing power of Him whose name is The Word of God (Revelation 19:13). Illumined by the Holy Spirit, their victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name is total and complete. They will have passed through the world’s final crisis in purity, confident of a great deliverance. The placement of this verse—just after we are shown the angels who are poised to pour out the final plagues—is for the purpose of a side-by-side comparison. Its very placement in Scripture is an invitation for all prodigals to get over their love for the things of this world, placing unreserved trust in their loving and victorious Commander in Chief!
For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. Psalm 18:29
For further study: Revelation 7:2-3; Daniel 7:25c; Psalm 1; Revelation 14:9; Deuteronomy 6:8