27 March • Wednesday of Holy Week
Revelation 14:18—15:4
8 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia.
15:1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Meditation
The passage we read is one of the many songs and praises in the Book of Revelation. Read this passage again and let this scene in heaven unfold in your mind: What appeared like a sea of glass glowing with fire and standing beside it were those who had triumphed over the beast, its image and the number representing its name (c.f. Revelation 13). Holding the harps that God had given them, they were singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb—two titles but one song!
The song focused only on God, who sat on the throne before the sea of glass (c.f. Revelation 4): “Your deeds... Your ways...Your name...You alone are holy...all nations will come and worship You...Your righteous acts...” The song is similar in the context of Exodus 15 and Revelation 15 where God in His unfailing love led His people and saints out victoriously from the oppressions of Pharoah, and the beast respectively. There are several parallels in the context of Exodus and Revelation, such as the plagues of judgement, the defeat of Pharoah and the defeat of the beast, the song was sung by the Red Sea and by the sea of glass and so on. The words of the song expressed three important truths.
Redemption. Both songs celebrate the redemption of God. His mighty works of deliverance and judgement were “great and amazing!”
Relationships. The redeemed saints acknowledged their indebtedness to God who is “just and true” in all His ways, and He alone is holy. In the Old Testament, God redeemed Israel and set them apart to be His people. In the New Testament, God through Christ redeemed us and set us apart to be His sons, daughters and fellow citizens in heaven!
Restoration. God’s righteous judgement shall be revealed when Christ returns, and “all nations will come and worship” Him. What a glorious Day of Restoration— people from all over the world coming together with reverence and awe to worship the “King of the nations!”
Prayer
Abba Father, as I reflect on the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb, I am grateful and indebted to You for saving me. Your Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I am Your child. Though troubles, distress or life-threatening situations may come my way, I have overwhelming victory through Christ who loves me with inseparable love. Amen!
Action
When you pray, remember also to pray for:
Christians who suffer persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ in countries where Christianity is not permitted.
Someone you know who is going through trouble, distress or life-threatening situation.
Someone who needs Christ’s redeeming grace and relationship with Him and His family—the Church. (Invite this person to Good Friday and Easter Services at your Church.)
Rev Dr Chia Beng Hock
Pastor Emeritus
Bethel Assembly of God