Another sign is given to John, and in this vision he sees seven angels, with seven plagues in store for God’s enemies. God’s wrath is culminating. At this point, the seal and trumpet judgments are complete, with the full force of this wrath yet to come.
In verse 3 a song of praise is sung, a prayer set to music, if you will. God’s great name is glorified. Worship Him, is the theme. What plagues the earth at this time is the worship of the beast. The believer’s response to God’s glory should be a worship-filled life.
The angels are girded with golden sashes. This girding is a description of their readiness to act. They are eager to serve, and ready for what God has for them to do.
One of the four creatures we saw chapters ago hands a bowl to each angel, each containing a judgment to be poured out.
Smoke pours from the heavenly temple, reminiscent of the Shekinah in the Old Testament when God’s glory filled the tabernacle and eventually the temple. The smoke is so intense, that the temple here is unapproachable, at least for a short time.
God’s wrath has been smoldering, and it is now about to erupt. The suspense is thick.
SO WHAT…?
So, my response to God’s glory should also be that of a worship-filled life, seeking to please Him.
So, I know I am not to be carrying out any judgment, yet I personally love the readiness to serve on display by the angels. I pray for that eagerness and burden to serve, and I long for the day when I will serve, absent of the presence of sin.
No comments:
Post a Comment