Revelation 15:1-4; Victory Song
1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast (Antichrist), and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name (666), stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
The scene showed the final preparations to unleash the final series of judgment upon earth, the preparations for the atomic bombs to be unleashed that will gender the final surrender and stop the war between God and His unrepentant, rebellious and wicked evil forces of demon energised humans.
As Charles Lee Feinberg illustrated well God’s final battle plan, “Why need there be three series of these judgments? They evidently follow the pattern of warfare as men know it: first, the initial encounter; then, the intensive assaults; and finally, the consummating blows. Undoubtedly, the bowl judgments take place in the Great Tribulation in its last states. The inference seems to be that they will transpire in a very brief period of time. They will be both rapid and severe. The Revelation does deal repeatedly with judgment but not exclusively so, for the final prospect is bright.”[1]
When Moses was tasked by God to confront Pharaoh to let His people go out of slavery in Egypt, it followed the same pattern of assaults.
There was the initial encounter where Moses and Aaron spoke to Pharaoh seeking his permission to leave for three days to worship in the wilderness. A perfectly legitimately request from the example of Singaporean maids, there is plan for an off day of rest.
When Pharaoh refused, there was a series of nine plagues of heightening intensity unleashed before the consummating blow where the first born of Pharaoh, all Egypt men and cattle died.
Pharaoh gave chase to the fleeing Israelites out of Egypt for a final parting judgment at the Red Sea.
Thereafter, Moses looked back at the receding waters of the Red Sea that engulfed the pursuing Egyptian army.
3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous arethy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true arethy ways, thou King of saints.
Moses broke into a song of praise for the deliverance that God gave to them. Indeed, the victory scene is described for us in heaven, at the throne room of God wherein the saints of the ages sang the song of impending and final victory.
Exodus 15:1-19 (KJV) 1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD ismy strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he ismy God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD isa man of war: the LORD ishis name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, whichconsumed them as stubble. 8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, andthe depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who islike unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who islike thee, glorious in holiness, fearful inpraises, doing wonders? 12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people whichthou hast redeemed: thou hast guided themin thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14 The people shall hear, andbe afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be asstill as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, whichthou hast purchased. 17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, inthe place, O LORD, whichthou hast made for thee to dwell in, inthe Sanctuary, O Lord, whichthy hands have established. 18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry landin the midst of the sea.
[1] Charles Lee Feinberg, A Commentary on Revelation – The Grand Finale, BMH Books, 1985, 109.