Day 237

As we have been reading it could seem like God’s wrath never ends, that it is never satisfied. But by the time we get to chapter twenty one, it is complete. All sin has been removed from this world. Satan in judged and the peoples of the earth have been given ample opportunity to repent.

As this scene of heaven unfold, we see two contrasting images: a fiery sea and a victorious people. They have been victorious over Satan during this time of fury. The world has not been a pleasant place for these believers. They have not been able to go on with life as usual. Their ability to survive was purely God’s grace. They were cutoff from normal commerce. They must have survived on an underground economy.

In contrast to what they endured during their final days on planet earth, they are now in God’s presence, rejoicing in God. For some people, heaven will be a boring place, all that singing and worship. But as we read about these people, they seem genuine and fulfilled. Worship will take on an expanded significance in heaven. These initial encounters with heaven’s experience yield worship. But I think that as the experience of heaven lingers, our experience of the fullness of heaven will also expand. I think we will be doing much more than stand around singing. I think every experience in heave will be a worship experience. In heaven every experience will be a fulfilling experience.

The Temple in heaven is opened and out of God’s presence comes God’s wrath. It is interesting to see this. In the Old Testament the innermost part of the earthly temple contained the Ark of the Covenant. And in this sacred box were two tablets which contained the basic rules governing the relationship between the Holy God and His people. It was by those rules that success or failure of the people was judged. If they were obedient they received blessing.  If disobedient, punishment.

We see flowing out of this inner-most part of heaven seven angels who are given seven bowls filled with God’s wrath. They flow from the place where God’s righteous standards are kept. People who receive these judgments are not unaware of God’s standards. Instead, they are fully aware and choose to disobey. We read in Romans 1:20 that these standards have been not only seen, but understood, and this has rendered humankind without excuse. God’s existence and His right to demand worship are understood.

When the angels are given the bowls of wrath the temple is closed for business. No one enters to carry on the usual activities that take place in God’s presence. While God’s wrath is being poured out, God cuts off access to His most intimate presence.