seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Revelation 15:1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”(b)
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”(b)
a. Revelation 15:3 Some manuscripts ages
b. Revelation 15:4 Phrases in this song are drawn from Psalm 111:2,3; Deut. 32:4; Jer. 10:7; Psalms 86:9; 98:2
Well I'll be darned.... the Bible really does show "angels" with harps.... well not really angels... these are smart but stubborn humans with harps... the harps were delivered to the smart humans who didn't take the mark of the beast.... so they have a new talent? The smart humans who made the decision to "go with God" are actually singing and playing harps!!!
This is from the amazingdiscoveries.org site.
Chapter 15 is an introductory scene to the seven last plagues of chapter 16.
In verses 2-4 the prophet is given a view of the triumph of the church of God over all her enemies. The plagues which are about to descend upon the earth are fearful, but the saints will be delivered from them.
God’s faithful people have gained the victory over the beast. They stand before God’s throne and “sing the song of Moses.” The song of Moses is a song of victory, because the Lord delivered Israel from Pharaoh and the Red Sea. Exodus 15:1-19. The “song of the Lamb” is the song of His victory and of salvation for His saints.
In verses 2-4 the prophet is given a view of the triumph of the church of God over all her enemies. The plagues which are about to descend upon the earth are fearful, but the saints will be delivered from them.
God’s faithful people have gained the victory over the beast. They stand before God’s throne and “sing the song of Moses.” The song of Moses is a song of victory, because the Lord delivered Israel from Pharaoh and the Red Sea. Exodus 15:1-19. The “song of the Lamb” is the song of His victory and of salvation for His saints.
This is from a site called revelationcommentary.org.
(1) And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and (2) those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, (3) standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.
1. And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire = begins this important detailed explanation of the final expression of God’s wrath against the dragon and his followers. John is clearly attempting to explain with figurative language what he sees. There is no literal sea or fire. This is figurative. However, what the literal referent is will be more difficult to explain. The second half of this verse explains that the victorious people described are standing on the sea of glass. Therefore, the sea of glass is a literal physical service that can support a standing person. This description of a sea of glass also occurred in the description of the throne room of God in Revelation 4.
2. Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name = indicates the primary focus of this pericope. The three primary obstacles to faithfulness on the part of believers are highlighted. The beast, his image and his mark are the beasts that believers must contend with here. These people were victorious. The exact nature of their victory is not clear.
3. Standing on a sea of glass, holding harps of God = concludes the initial vision portion seen by John concerning the audience before God. The importance of music before God is heightened by the presence of harps of God.
2. Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name = indicates the primary focus of this pericope. The three primary obstacles to faithfulness on the part of believers are highlighted. The beast, his image and his mark are the beasts that believers must contend with here. These people were victorious. The exact nature of their victory is not clear.
3. Standing on a sea of glass, holding harps of God = concludes the initial vision portion seen by John concerning the audience before God. The importance of music before God is heightened by the presence of harps of God.
So... the way I read this.... John was back at Jesus' place in Heaven. Everyone was in the boardroom. That's the place where that living throne is. The throne has four living creatures holding it up... and they also speak and sing. The throne is so electric with life... it throws lightning bolts. They're looking at the "sea of glass". I wonder if it's like the "sea" that God had them fashion for the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a huge flat disc [like those pictures of earth when people thought it was flat].
I remember the wicked witch in "The Wizard of Oz". She would look into her cauldron and "see" things. That's what I figure we're looking at here.... God has a "sea" like the one He had fashioned for the Temple in Jerusalem.... and John saw in the "sea" a picture of God rescuing all those who made a decision for Him over taking the dragon stamp.
Sorry.... I have a vivid imagination.
Now I don't know how many times I've heard it... but a lot of people have told me they don't want to just float around playing a harp all day.... some people might even think that might be hellish even though they are in heaven. Ok... I get that.... BUT... remember... these are the people who lived through all the other crap... the earthquakes, meteor showers, meteors, poison water, lack of food, hiding in caves, bitten by bugs that make you want to die but you can't..... these "angels with harps" are NOT angels. They are stubborn human beings who put off Salvation for the very last second... and they are singing because they are relieved. Playing a harp for eternity is better than trying to cool off in a place where the thermostat has no temperature control.
