Read Revelation 15:1–4
Questions from the Scripture text: What does John see in v1? Of what quality? How many of whom? What do they have? What is completed in them? What does he see in v2? What does the sea seem to be made of? With what does it seem to be mingled? Over what four things do those standing upon it have victory? What do they have in their hands (cf. 5:8; Ps 149:3, 7–9)? Whose song do they sing (v3, cf. Ex 15)? And which other song is now detailed? What are great and marvelous? Whose works? What is true of His ways? What else is He called? What two things are asked rhetorically in v4a? What is the implied answer? What is the first reason to fear and glorify Him (v4b)? What is a second (v4c)? And a third (v4d)?
What is it like in heaven, when wrath is being poured out upon the earth? Revelation 15:1–4 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that heaven is a place of peace, power, and praise, while God’s wrath is being poured out upon the earth.
Peace. Comparing v1 to 12:1, we see that John is moving on from the dragon’s war on the church, which takes place during the entire time between Christ’s comings, and which he has examined from various vantage points. As he is about to take us into the pourings out of God’s wrath on the earth, he starts us out in heaven. As in the other cycles of visions in Revelation, the situation in heaven is rather opposite to that on the earth. The seven angels with the seven last plagues that complete the wrath of God, have appeared. But, in heaven, the scene is one of peace, power, and praise.
One thing to notice here is that the saints are standing on the sea—like Peter, when his eyes were fixed upon Christ. Unlike that situation, this sea is not raging. Exactly the opposite. Things on earth are ranging, as implied by the glass being “mingled with fire.” They can see through the clear, calm glass, and what they see is the burning of the fire (cf. 14:18a). But they are literally above it, standing securely despite it.
Power. The Lord has delivered these saints. Yes, from the sword of the beast. The powers of this world, in service of the dragon, have failed to destroy them. Even their deaths translated them to this condition, where they stand upon a sea of tranquility. But, even more, the Lord has delivered them from the seduction of the beast. They did not worship his image, or take his mark; they worship Christ, the very image of God, and are marked by Him.
Here they are, assembled for praise, having been given a priesthood that is represented in the harps in their hands in v2. As with the Lord’s priestly people in Ps 149, their praise of God (cf. Ps 149:1–4) is married to power over the nations, peoples, kings, and nobles (cf. Ps 149:7–8). The wrath of God’s judgment upon them is written, and upon His saints He has bestowed the honor of standing atop its execution (cf. Ps 149:9). They have not merely escaped. They have gained victory. Victory over the beast. Victory over his image. Victory over the number of his name. They are a victorious people.
Praise. Though they stand upon a sea of glass, through which they see the fire of God’s wrath, the saints’ attention is not on this great spectacle. Their attention is upon the Lord God, Who has given them the victory. Like the Israelites safe on the banks of the Egyptian-swallowing sea, these saints sing (v3). The song of Moses was, “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!” (cf. Ex 15:1, 21). And it anticipated this new and glorious song.
The Lord God Almighty (v3c) glorifies His Name (v4a) especially as the King of the saints (v3e). He is great and marvelous in Himself, and He shows it in the great and marvelous salvation of His people. He is just and true, His ways are just and true (v3d), and He shows it by the truth and justice of the ultimate end His people vs the ultimate end of His enemies. The end result is that all of the remnant of humanity worship Him (v4a–c). Those who love the Lord rejoice that His Name would be feared and that He would be worshiped. The glorified saints delight in His judgments, not merely because they are given victory and glory, but especially because this brings glory to their God.
How are you taking advantage of the opportunity to worship, and meditate upon Scripture, to rise peacefully above whatever rages on the earth? Over what temptations and seductions is the Lord giving you victory? How does your joy at being delivered or honored compare to your joy at God being feared and worshiped?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for glorifying Your Name by delivering Your saints, and giving them victory. Forgive us for when we do not let Your peace rule in our hearts, or guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And forgive us for how we miss opportunities to praise Your Name for the displays of Your greatness, justice, and truth. Grant that we would enjoy Your peace, employ Your power, and express Your praise through Christ, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”