Chapter 15 brings us to the point where the last set of 3 outpourings of God’s wrath and judgement are released – the last of three sets of awfulness – surely this one will mean people will repent? God’s wrath has reached its full measure and to add to that sense of suspense, (it’s the last chance – rather like the opening of the 7^th Seal and the silence for half an hour) we first are treated to another vision of heaven.  Once again we are at the Sea of Glass, but this time is  a bit different – it’s changed colour – possibly a pun a throwback, a connection is made with the Red Sea of Moses’ escape from Egypt. And, just as the Children of Israel celebrated at the edge of the that sea – here we have another celebration made by those who have come through the dreadful persecution. Ultimate deliverance has been found here, although red speaks of the destruction to come to all not taking the opportunities God’s repeatedly given for repentance – a seaside that reminds us of that great celebration as well as the ominous last chance. The song sung by the redeemed parallels Moses’ seaside celebration song. A song of deliverance, sung in a vision where the world is about to be destroyed, but those forgiven and redeemed by the sacrifice of the Son are no longer afraid as they have passed into the Throne Room of the Almighty. The world and its unrepentant people are about to receive more shocks. 

John is given a song that brings together multiple Old Testament echoes from Psalms, Deuteronomy and Jeremiah (v.4 is a quotation of Jeremiah 10.7) but is also able to reference/joke with language to demonstrate that the contemporary gods worshipped in his time are also about to fall – ‘Holy and Just’ was a title used for the local gods of the area – John’s first readers would have been encouraged by the reminder that these titles belong to the REAL ruler of everything.

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Actions:

Praise God for all that He has rescued and redeemed us from.

Spend time thanking Him now.