Sunday Morning Podcast September 29, 2019. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: REVELATIONS 15:5-8
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
The temple of the tabernacle of God’s testimony in heaven …was opened. This prophecy is likely written after the destruction of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem, approximately AD 70. Here God is not merely using symbols that are familiar to Israel, but also to His people today. In Revelation 15, the seven angels were pouring out the vials (bowls) of the seven plagues. Most of us can agree that plagues are meant to get someone’s attention, God has decreed this. Up to this time, it was expected that people were able to enter the temple. After the literal temple met it’s destruction, many wondered, “where shall we go, what shall we do now?” Much of their law, practices, and way of understanding had revolved around the temple. They now were a bit “lost.” The temple was not just a building, but a place where God’s testimony was held! A place where God held His covenant with mankind. A place where God’s people are to partake of this covenant/agreement in Christ. But mankind cannot enter here, until these plagues are poured out, (“and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.)” In John the 2nd chapter, Jesus referred to the temple, as His body. “Jesus answered and said, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19 Jesus’ body is a symbol of an experience only found by worship. For there now was no more decreed temple of God, among men . They did not yet understand, that now Jesus was the resurrected temple that would be their spiritual place of worship. It’s God’s desire for us all to come into His Holy place, worship and partake of this temple experience with Jesus. Nothing unclean, no sin, can worship in this temple experience. 1) Are you worshiping in this temple? Are you clean? 2) Am I able to partake of this holy experience? Examine yourselves. This is serious business!
Some of these plagues are meant to examine to see if our life agrees with this holy temple experience. If it doesn’t, we are not meant to be able to worship in this temple experience of Christ with sin. We are meant to be examined and judged by the Word of God. Then we aren’t meant to stay in the jail of sin, but allow the Holy Spirit to deal with us, to be freed by God’s Word, in Salvation. Are you out of the jail of sin? Sin holds us captive, and doesn’t allow us to be free to worship in the temple experience of Christ. Christ gives us an “get out of the jail of sin free” card, but we are not then meant to go back! If and when you go back, could be the moment when your life ends to be then judged. Sin is not worth it! God’s mercy to examine us, is to help rid us of any plans of our own, ideas, etc, that cannot allow us to have a holy temple experience with Christ. To examine us to see if there is anything that will put our soul in spiritual jeopardy and peril. We’re not meant to just keep going, but to take care of business with anything God shows us cannot be allowed in our experience. Right then when God shows us. Not later. Later might be too late! God shows each of us (if we are seeking Him) that we are not meant to “keep going” the way we are, but to take care of those things He has shown us to turn away from. Plagues are meant to get your attention! God has decreed this! God has decreed Armageddon, that day almighty, the battle between good and evil! In this world, many things are just too easy. It’s easy to just not realize we have a need. This is just the reason God sends spiritual plagues to get our attention. Life should not be all about easy, but be examined sternly, soberly, to see the severity of it. God is not just a comforting “teddy bear” but rather a Majestic Entity! He is Sovereign! The One in charge! The world likes to see God only as a comfort, and not also as an exacting God of judgement. Using the Word of God without His judgments is not complete! Mere religion often leaves judgement out, so a sin sick soul cannot make a complete metamorphosis out from sin to live holy, as God has decreed. God is faithful to pour out His plagues to awaken souls out of evil, to the need of His righteousness.
Armageddon, That Day Almighty!