Old Song Moses - Rumor notes 152

Revelation 15

3 They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations. 4 Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed."

They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren't concerned about knowledge. Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. (Proverbs 29:5-8)

the song of Moses

Later we will come to a rehearsal of these two songs in chapter 19 where we see the difference between the two with a corrective voice between them from the throne of God. Here is the first song that parallels what we will study today, the perception of reality and God through the immature but passionate devotion of one of the most famous people who ever lived – the prophet Moses.

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God: for true and righteous are his judgments. For he has judged the great prostitute, who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand." A second said, "Hallelujah! Her smoke goes up forever and ever." The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, "Amen! Hallelujah!"

A voice came forth from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!" (Revelation 19:1-5)

This is a pattern used in several songs of Moses, for as we shall see, there is more than one instance of this style of music. This is the version of praise that might be most familiar to us as it resonates with the dualistic way of thinking we inherited from our first parents who received their false identity by indulging in and then participating with the agenda of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

That tree represents the use of rewards and punishments and how to manipulate relationships. The philosophy behind that way of thinking asserts that God uses these methods to achieve compliance. More on this later.

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, "I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously.

The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name. He has cast Pharaoh's chariots and his army into the sea. His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea. The deeps cover them. They went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces. In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send forth your wrath. It consumes them as stubble. With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up. The floods stood upright as a heap. The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, 'I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the spoil. My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.'

You blew with your wind. The sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand. The earth swallowed them.

You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation.

The peoples have heard. They tremble. Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed. Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away. Terror and dread falls on them. By the greatness of your arm they are as still as a stone-- until your people pass over, Yahweh, until the people pass over who you have purchased.

You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, the place, Yahweh, which you have made for yourself to dwell in; the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands have established. Yahweh shall reign forever and ever.

For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Yahweh brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea."

Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. Miriam answered them, "Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." (Exodus 15:1-21)

This is the first round of the Song of Moses where we see a mixture of New and Old Song lyrics. How much of our praise to God involves this mix? Now for somewhat improved versions.

Now therefore leave me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of you a great nation." Moses begged Yahweh his God, and said, "Yahweh, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, 'He brought them forth for evil, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the surface of the earth?' Turn from your fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your seed as the stars of the sky, and all this land that I have spoken of I will give to your seed, and they shall inherit it forever.'" Yahweh repented of the evil which he said he would do to his people. (Exodus 32:10-14)

Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold. Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin--and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written." (Exodus 32:31-32)

Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you, so that I may find favor in your sight: and consider that this nation is your people." (Exodus 33:13)

He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." He said to him, "If your presence doesn't go with me, don't carry us up from here. For how would people know that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Isn't it in that you go with us, so that we are separated, I and your people, from all the people who are on the surface of the earth?"

Yahweh said to Moses, "I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." He said, "Please show me your glory." (Exodus 33:14-18)

Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I command you this day for your good? Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein. Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all peoples, as at this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked. For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn't regard persons, nor takes reward. He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear Yahweh your God; him shall you serve; and to him shall you cleave, and by his name shall you swear. He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now Yahweh your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude. (Deuteronomy 10:12-22)

Notice the earning and deserving often attributed to God. Moses embraces the system of earning and deserving, reward and punishment as a primary motivation for allegiance to God along with love and obedience. I am not condemning this approach as all bad. Rather it is more along the lines of the perspective of an immature child needing to continue to grow into a deeper, more expansive kind of relationship.

Now therefore write you this song for you, and teach you it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat; then will they turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant. It shall happen, when many evils and troubles are come on them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore. So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. (Deuteronomy 31:19-22)

Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against Yahweh; and how much more after my death? Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days; because you will do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished. (Deuteronomy 31:26-30)

This exposes a problem inherent with this old way of thinking. Moses is projecting his own frustrations with the children of Israel onto how he views God's disposition and way of relating. In addition, by telling them to their face that they are going to corrupt themselves and rebel against their God, he is assigning to them an identity that can easily tend toward becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. This cuts to the heart of our own identity crisis, and this is why it was so necessary for the true Reflector of God's heart to fully become a human to live among us, in order to show us our true design as reflectors of God rather than reflectors of our propensities to selfishness.

In Deuteronomy 32 we find an expanded version of the Song of Moses. We will explore that entire chapter so as to get a gist of how Moses saw God's relationship to His chosen people. This helps us differentiate between the Song of Moses and the more advanced, mature Song of the Lamb. Notice that closely this parallels the first version of the song we looked at in Revelation 19, starting out with New Song lyrics but then diluting them by celebrating the demise of His enemies who have fought against Him and His people.

Give ear, you heavens, and I will speak. Let the earth hear the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain. My speech shall condense as the dew, as the small rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb. For I will proclaim the name of Yahweh. Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice: a God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:1-4)

Like the one in Revelation, this song begins with focusing attention on the truth about God's goodness, kindness and greatness. The Song of Moses is influenced by the perspective of the Tree of Good and Evil, not that God necessarily is inherently evil, but the view that because of the need for discipline, God is compelled to resort to methods of the enemy to deal with the unfaithfulness of His children. This becomes more clear later in this song.

They have dealt corruptly with him, they are not his children, it is their blemish. They are a perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus requite Yahweh, foolish people and unwise? Isn't he your father who has bought you? He has made you, and established you. Remember the days of old. Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the children of men, he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel. For Yahweh's portion is his people. Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. (Deuteronomy 32:5-9)

Notice how the influence of commerce affects the perspective of Moses about God's relationship to His people. Isn't he your father who has bought you? Yahweh's portion is his people. While an inheritance has to do more with relationship than with commerce, it also invokes the idea of partiality to some extent. Keep in mind though that Moses' perspective represents the incomplete view of God colored by years of living under the law of sin and death, reward and punishment, and that God works with people from within the limitations in which they operate, though seeking to move them beyond that toward a far more mature appreciation and participation in His original purpose of complete unity with Himself in a righteousness apart from the law.

He found him in a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness. He surrounded him. He cared for him. He kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, he spread abroad his wings, he took them, he bore them on his feathers. Yahweh alone led him. There was no foreign god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth. He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out of the rock, oil out of the flinty rock; Butter of the herd, and milk of the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the finest of the wheat. Of the blood of the grape you drank wine. (Deuteronomy 32:10-14)

See how Moses switches back and forth between how God seeks to bless and nurture and remedy the unfaithful condition of the recipients of His blessings. This is classic old song style. It feels natural for us to do this, but God's design is to move us past this to something greater.

But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked. You have grown fat. You have grown thick. You have become sleek. Then he forsook God who made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They moved him to jealousy with strange gods. They provoked him to anger with abominations. They sacrificed to demons, which were no God, to gods that they didn't know, to new gods that came up of late, which your fathers didn't dread. Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten God who gave you birth. (Deuteronomy 32:15-18)

From here through the rest of this song there is very little focus on God's kindness that leads to repentance. While Moses describes accurately the problems that God's children have and how easily they turn to other sources of provision, identity and pleasure, his portrayal of how God responds is very humanistic in nature which is why we struggle so much still today to imagine God to be like how the Lamb reveals Him rather than how tradition and biblical authors make Him out to be.

Yahweh saw it, and abhorred them, because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. He said, I will hide my face from them. I will see what their end shall be; for they are a very perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness. They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God. They have provoked me to anger with their vanities. I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people. I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in my anger, Burns to the lowest Sheol, Devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire. (Deuteronomy 32:19-22 )

God returning evil for evil is reflective of how we react when we get offended. This perspective assumes God takes offense like we take offense, and we seldom question that presumption. Moses insists God will use His power similarly to how others have treated Him. Yet this is part of why Jesus came to show us the Father. “You have heard it was said... but I say to you...”

I will heap evils on them. I will spend my arrows on them. They shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat and bitter destruction. I will send the teeth of animals on them, With the poison of crawling things of the dust. Outside the sword shall bereave, and in the chambers, terror; on both young man and virgin, The suckling with the gray-haired man. I said, I would scatter them afar. I would make the memory of them to cease from among men; were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should judge wrongly, lest they should say, Our hand is exalted, Yahweh has not done all this. For they are a nation void of counsel. There is no understanding in them. (Deuteronomy 32:23-28)

At this point it begins to sound like Moses is intent on making God out as very harsh and severe and ready to punish those who forsake Him, offend Him and betray His trust in them. What is obscured in such language is the reality that God's wrath is really about releasing His protective shield from around those who spurn His affection and who disdain His loving authority.

Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and Yahweh had delivered them up? For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter. Their wine is the poison of serpents, The cruel venom of asps. Isn't this laid up in store with me, sealed up among my treasures? Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides; for the day of their calamity is at hand. The things that are to come on them shall make haste. (Deuteronomy 32:29-35)

Here we begin to catch a glimpse of how God's wrath is not bad things imposed by God, but that our rebellion forces away His protection, leaving them vulnerable to calamities from their enemies.

For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, there is none remaining, shut up or left at large. He will say, Where are their gods, The rock in which they took refuge; Which ate the fat of their sacrifices, And drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise up and help you! Let them be your protection. See now that I, even I, am he, There is no god with me. I kill, and I make alive. I wound, and I heal. There is no one who can deliver out of my hand. (Deuteronomy 32:36-39)

Moses wants people to realize the difference between relying on God alone as their source of protection, blessing, fulfillment and sense of worth, and the impotence of any other source purporting to be better than Him. This is something all of us need to be aware of in our own lives, for we too are easily seduced into dependence on all sorts of other means of getting our wants and needs fulfilled outside of a mutually trusting, loving relationship with our Creator.

For I lift up my hand to heaven, And say, As I live forever, if I whet my glittering sword, My hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to my adversaries, and will recompense those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood. My sword shall devour flesh with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the head of the leaders of the enemy. Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants. He will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will make expiation for his land, for his people. (Deuteronomy 32:40-43)

This is almost a direct source of what is found in the song at the beginning of Revelation 19 we just considered. This is why I believe it represents the Song of Moses while the second one is the Song of the Lamb, the New Song that alone has superior power to defeat all the enemies of truth and love.

Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel; He said to them, Set your heart to all the words which I testify to you this day, which you shall command your children to observe to do, even all the words of this law. For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and through this thing you shall prolong your days in the land, where you go over the Jordan to possess it. (Deuteronomy 32:44-47)

As this chapter comes to a close, we see how Moses frames life in the context of keeping the law and obeying God as the criteria for getting the reward of God's favor and extended life. While it is certainly true that living in harmony with principles that govern creation design will expand our ability to enjoy blessing and minimize experiencing the curse, it is important to keep in mind that the blessings and curses are not imposed by God but are inherent within the principles designed by Him.

Yahweh spoke to Moses that same day, saying, Go up into this mountain of Abarim, to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and see the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel for a possession; and die on the mountain where you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor, and was gathered to his people: because you trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you didn't sanctify me in the midst of the children of Israel. For you shall see the land before you; but you shall not go there into the land which I give the children of Israel. (Deuteronomy 32:48-52)

Moses was certainly a close friend of God and a faithful servant. Yet his immature view of God led him to lapse in his complete trust in God's heart regardless of how desperate conditions might become. This is not to detract from his life as a faithful servant to His Creator. Yet his perspective was limited, and though he usually deferred his problems and crises to God, when he became too stressed while mourning the loss of his beloved sister, he succumbed to doubt of God's care for him in the face of repeated bitter complaining and unbelief from the people he had served so long.

Note that God did not tell Moses he was being punished for disobeying God's command during the incident at Meribah. The real problem was more serious, and God could not allow him to lead the people into the promised land that had been the hope of Moses most of his life. Moses had misrepresented God's disposition, particularly during a most crucial moment when a very different outcome could have transpired had he chosen otherwise consistent with his previous choices.

This is a lesson we need to take to heart for ourselves in our time. Moses represents making obedience to God's commands of highest paramount, and they are important. Moses also had a very tight and intimate relationship with God like few others ever enjoyed, and that is a wonderful example for all of us. But it took Jesus, the Lamb of God to show us the far more exceeding glory of what the Father wants for all of us to supersede the witness of Moses and bring an end to the war over God's reputation.

the servant of God

Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. Yahweh showed him all the land of Gilead, to Dan, and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the hinder sea, and the South, and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, to Zoar. Yahweh said to him, This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, I will give it to your seed: I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there. So Moses the servant of Yahweh died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 34:1-5)

Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands on him: and the children of Israel listened to him, and did as Yahweh commanded Moses. There has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face, in all the signs and the wonders, which Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, and in all the mighty hand, and in all the great terror, which Moses worked in the sight of all Israel. (Deuteronomy 34:9-12)

Now Yahweh your God has given rest to your brothers, as he spoke to them: therefore now turn you, and get you to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan. Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, to love Yahweh your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went to their tents. (Joshua 22:4-6)

Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, even turning aside, that they should not obey your voice: therefore has the curse been poured out on us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God; for we have sinned against him. (Daniel 9:11)

Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken, but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end. (Hebrews 3:5-6)

While the glory revealed during the time of Moses was spectacular and very important for moving people out of abject darkness of evil, selfishness, pride and violence, it fell short of bringing to light the real truth of God's unconditional love and forgiveness that must be experienced in order to escape the power of darkness entirely and lead us to thrive in the kingdom of love, light, truth and freedom for which we are designed. This is the reason God's Son was sent, to do what could never be done by Moses.

From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him. (John 1:16-18)

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

Summary

Listen now to what Yahweh says: "Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say. Hear, you mountains, Yahweh's controversy, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.

My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me! For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh."

How shall I come before Yahweh, and bow myself before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? (Micah 6:1-7)

Yahweh protests the dim views of Him that we cling to, despite all the glory that may be learned via Moses and his siblings. The story of Balak and Balaam that reveals the real righteousness of Yahweh apart from the law, is in how God related to him despite Balaam's extreme greed and his conspiracy with Balak to seek to bribe God with sufficient sacrifices to manipulate His power to achieve their own selfish agendas. (For a series where I expanded on this you can get it here.)

Micah's response to God's challenge for His people to answer, was a question of his own – how does God want us to come to Him, how are we to relate to Him, to worship the exalted God? Immediately we hear God's answer – it is a trust relationship, not by appeasement, bribery or other fear-based solutions. The New Song featured in Revelation directs our attention to what was witnessed about God's heart towards us in the life and teachings of His Son, the Lamb of God.

He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Yahweh's voice calls to the city, and wisdom sees your name: "Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it." (Micah 6:8-9)

So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? (Galatians 4:7-9)

Application

How do I relate to this growing awareness of my need to let go of my old ways of thinking about God?

Am I willing to allow the conviction of the Spirit of truth to soften my perceptions of God and justice?

Pray that the Spirit of truth and love implants the seed of God that produces fruit of the Spirit in line with the disposition inherent in the New Song lyrics and tempo.

Swooning on the Sea - Rumor notes 151

 

Revelation 15

1 I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished. 2 I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations. 4 Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed."

standing on the sea of glass

Here are some things we might learn regarding what it means to stand on this sea. Consider these passages connected to standing.

They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?" After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!" I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: (Revelation 6:16 - 7:4)

They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness. (Exodus 24:10)

While this may not state that Yahweh was standing, it does inform us about His orientation to this pavement of glass and fire – He is above it. Interestingly there are other descriptions of standing or walking on a sea that contribute to our appreciation of the deeper meaning of this passage.

After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! I AM! Don't be afraid." Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of God!" (Matthew 14:23-33)

What is the central issue in this story? Jesus mentions his lack of faith. This story is key for understanding the meaning of this sea of glass mixed with fire, and it can inform us about why some fall into it while others are standing on it. The difference involves their disposition towards the One who alone provides power to remain standing on top of it. I believe this story of Peter resonates closely to those who stand on this sea of glass mixed with fire.

Here are some key words in this story:

distressed, fear, troubled, contrary, beginning to sink, doubt.

In sharp contrast we also see

came to them, walking on the sea, I AM, don't be afraid, come, save me, took hold of him, worshiped him, truly the Son of God.

This alerts us to something extremely important about how we may stand on a sea mingled with fire, beginning even now. First we are not to imagine we have to do this alone. Second, we must disabuse ourselves of the idea that those standing on this sea are somehow good enough or righteous enough to deserve being honored by God for achieving this status. Neither do they have to conjure up enough faith. These overcomers standing on this sea are the same as what we have witnessed in previous passages describing the 144,000, for they are standing with the Lamb. That was the only way Peter was able to walk on top of the stormy waters that were threatening to sink the boat he just left. The storm had not yet been calmed by Christ, yet both Jesus and Peter were walking on the troubled waters still surging violently and threating imminent disaster. Yet they remained untouched, apparently defying principles of physics. So long as Peter focused on the One who had invited him to join Him, he could walk easily in spite of the appearances of the violent wind and waves.

The key to living above the storms of our fears and to overcome all odds is this element of faith. But faith is not a commodity or asset used to purchase favors from God. Faith is fixating our imagination on the truth as it is in Jesus, the truth that His words over us have more power in our experience than all our past experiences or present circumstances or perceptions of danger that affects how we have perceived reality or our life to this point. Other than an ax head caused to float on top of water in a miracle by Elisha, no one in history has ever been known to walk on top of water. At times water has been pushed aside to provide access for God's people to pass through, but this was a new dimension never known until this moment. Peter was so intrigued that he was eager to participate in this amazing experience, so he asked Jesus to give the power of His word to join Him.

"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." He said, "Come!"

The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:3-4)

When Peter asked Jesus to command him to come to Him, he was believing that if Jesus said something then it was possible, regardless of all previous experience or opinions. This is not only a radical elevation of understanding about faith, but it taps into the true kind of power all of us may experience, the radical faith of trusting the heart of the One who gives His word that becomes the very means that empowers us to do the previously impossible. Thus we come to see that it really is the Word of God that is the power needed for us to escape the dark identity of our past or our current reputation. God's word provides the boldness to step into a radical new life of joy in complete dependence on the One whose heart and love for us elevates us to do the impossible.

This also is closely connected to receiving the faith of Jesus, for our faith is ever dependent on His faith. This is the key element to living the life of faith. We choose to believe that the word of God has authority above all previous ideas, beliefs and experiences. We choose to believe Jesus beyond what we can explain or imagine. Thus we open access (give authority to God) to live in us as we step into a whole new dimension of possibility. This is climbing outside the boat, separating from those who remain in fear and unbelief. As we do so our perception of reality is dramatically stretched as we discover that our true identity in Christ can displace old definitions of who we are from our past experience. This story resonates strongly with the core issue of believing our identity in Christ and how we can choose to believe what Jesus says about us over any other voice in or outside of our head.

They didn't prevail, neither was a place found for him any more in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death. (Revelation 12:8-11)

The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony. (Revelation 12:17)

You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you. You shall do that which is right and good in the sight of Yahweh; that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as Yahweh has spoken. (Deuteronomy 6:17-19)

The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:11-12)

These passages become the basis of our faith, the Word of God that releases new life and power in us.

I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. (Psalms 119:32)

Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually. (Psalms 119:115-117)

He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me. (John 14:21-24)

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love. (John 15:10)

You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:14)

I want to review a an important declaration Jesus made when tempted by the devil, the same devil who continues to tempt each one of us with similar temptations as He experienced.

"If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Contrast this to the story involving Peter calling out to Christ to command him to come to him on the water. There is far more relevance between these two than appears on the surface.

"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. (Matthew 14:28-29)

Satan challenged Jesus with the insinuating word if, tempting Him to entertain a doubt about what God had expressed 40 days previous. Peter articulates similar words, yet receives a different response from what was given to Satan. What is the difference? We need to understand how we may relate to God and how to deal with our doubts. Our response to this question reveals much about how we perceive God's disposition and how free we can feel to approach Him rather than to pull back in fear.

This also taps deeply into how we imagine God feels about our negative feelings, especially towards Him. Can we trust God to not become offended if we dare unleash our anger and frustration on Him, or do we feel unsafe to be raw and transparent in our feelings and emotions before God?

The context of this story of the storm involved not only fear, but resentment, frustration and anger in the disciples. The storm that threatened to swallow them up in the sea was actually allowed because the disciples were nursing a spirit of offense against Jesus. He had just frustrated their attempts to exalt Him to be their king and assume the position as a military conqueror the Jews eagerly expected to come. Their excitement to realize their life-long dreams of deliverance from Rome through a violent, overpowering might brought by the Messiah, was not only rebuffed by Jesus, but He had sternly dispersed the crowds and ordered His disciples to get in the boat and leave Him alone on the shore without any satisfactory explanation. This was their condition when the storm hit.

The real problem was not just the storm that came, but it was their hearts being hardened with anger, resentment and bitterness towards the One who had called them to a new way of living and thinking. The darkness and discontent in their hearts fueled by their negative conversations was being reflected by the storm externally. Yet the storm also served to shift their attention making them aware of their real need for the very One they were complaining about, preparing the way for repentance and reconciliation. Satan had challenged Christ to doubt His identity; Peter was wrestling with his own identity and all needed affirmation of Christ's true disposition towards them.

The disciple's frustrated attempts to save themselves made them more aware of their desperate need for a Savior beyond just their physical distress. Their heart condition could not be remedied by command, for Jesus came to restore trust in God's heart, not demand compliance to dictates. The new commandment of selfless love Jesus spoke was not really new but had been so lost sight of that it felt new because it was so different from how men perceived God in their darkened imaginations.

This is where we see God's ways are not our ways, for in order for hearts of stone to be replaced with hearts of flesh, something different is needed than commands. Love – what the Law of God actually describes – cannot be commanded. It does not work to command love to come from hearts hardened by resentment and bitterness over frustrated hopes, plans and dreams for our lives. We may feel God has forsaken us, but the truth is just the opposite. Only unconditional love can awaken responsive love in the heart. Jesus came to His disciples when they were more aware of their real need for His presence and were more willing to reconcile their relationship with Him.

For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:24-28)

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world."

They said therefore to him, "Lord, always give us this bread." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don't believe. All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out." (John 6:32-37)

Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. (John 6:47-51)

In the context of the story of Peter and this passage here in Revelation, these words of Jesus are in sharp contrast to the demands of the beast and its image, that we define reality as they define it according to science, physics, social expectations and conformity to artificial laws for maintaining order dictated by the powers of this world. From a flesh perspective, the disciples had no reason to imagine they could get out of a boat and walk on top of water without fatal consequences. Yet this mindset is what is involved in the mark of the beast, the number of his name and how the dragon defines truth. They assert having authority to define our beliefs about who we are, and how to be saved based on laws of science and dictates of religion rather than trust in the One who created us.

Religion usually denies that God is only love. Evolution science insists truth must be reproducibly provable by scientific methods or it cannot be seen as authentic or reliable. The mark of the beast restricts people to the uniform code of balancing good and evil, and that only this reality is to be trusted. Science restricts belief in what is possible; religion demands compliance under duress in the name of God. But all of this only leads to a further hardening of the heart.

Overcoming is not merely resisting compulsive demands for the 'common good' of society, it involves living beyond narrow views of reality as defined by earthly authorities. Walking on liquid water defies gravity and physics as we presently perceive them. Loving our siblings in Christ, and also as our enemies defies the gravity pull of sin by the law of sin and death. The only way to defeat sin and death – the law of selfishness – and stand on top of the sea of glass, is by living faith in the Word of God and denying ourself, especially feelings manipulated by fear. This is how we may live according to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that sets us free from the Law of Sin and Death.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

This is all about a matter of choosing perspective. We have been conditioned all our lives to think according to the law of sin and death, the so-called scientific method. But that is incomplete and darkened in comparison to living in the light of heaven.

For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me. But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:12-13 BBE)

This sea of glass mirror reflects the image of God. Those standing on this sea are composite reflectors of God's passionate love ravishing their hearts in His fire. They are a multi-dimensional image of God who overcome by resting His word, living in the power of His word above any other including their emotions. They stand by faith in the word of God, obeying His directive to join the Lamb on Mt. Zion that has replaced Sinai as the support under this sea of glass. God's commandments are in their heart rather than on stone. These are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus because they are transformed by the gold they have purchased in exchange for their old false identity. This gold has been tried in the fire, and now they are filled with faith, hope and love.

If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

This last passage may also prove crucial to perceiving the deeper meanings of this sea of glass. For one, those described here are cast into this lake rather than standing on top of it like those in chapter 15. Secondly, the lake of fire represents the second death which is the wages paid by sin that results in unbelief, distrust and fear. Fear is a sure symptom of distrust and unbelief in the love and care God has for every one of us. So long as we believe the lie that God is less than pure love and light with no darkness at all, we rob ourselves of the faith needed to stand with joy on top of the fiery sea. Our perceptions of God's disposition are darkened making us afraid and even allergic to love. Fear is always the result of resistance to the truth of God's love for us, and resistance itself is what fuels the reactive torment to encountering His presence of passionate love. Yet we remain free to choose who defines our identity which determines our destiny – the lies that in the end consume us, or the love of heaven that produces eternal joy and pleasures forever.

Peter's practice run of learning how to walk on troubled waters with Jesus helps us appreciate this metaphor of a sea of glass versus a lake of fire. In defiance of all past experience and awareness of physics and science, Peter observed Jesus doing it right in front of him, Peter's was inspired to believe it might be possible for him to also walk on water. The faith of Jesus awakened his faith. Yet the key for staying on top of the water without sinking and drowning, was to cling tenaciously to the faith inspired by beholding Jesus doing the impossible and riveting his attention on Jesus more than the fearful evidence all around him screaming it was impossible. I believe this story demonstrates the secret of power for overcoming the fears that threaten to sink us and inhibit our capacity to live what seems to be an impossible life of overcoming evil and even death. The faith of Jesus is our key for overcoming and is what empowers us to stand with Him in the storm.

having harps of God

Evidence seems to suggest that beginning here and through the next verse is where we see described the contents and purpose of the bowls of incense, the ammunition used by those who follow the Lamb. These are the special ops forces of the Lamb who effectively expose and cause the beginning of the collapse of the whole empire of evil played out over the next few chapters.

Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8)

Introduction of key elements in this passages begin in the backstory found in chapters 4 and 5. That backdrop plays a critical part in discerning the true meaning and import of this passage as we will see more clearly later in this chapter.

I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. (Revelation 14:1-3)

Harps are a key element in connective passages that provide clues to help appreciate God's strategy to defeat the forces of darkness. Here are a few more.

When you are departed from me today, then you shall find two men by Rachel's tomb, in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will tell you, The donkeys which you went to seek are found; and behold, your father has left off caring for the donkeys, and is anxious for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

Then shall you go on forward from there, and you shall come to the oak of Tabor; and there shall meet you there three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: and they will greet you, and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive of their hand.

After that you shall come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall happen, when you are come there to the city, that you shall meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tambourine, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they will be prophesying: and the Spirit of Yahweh will come mightily on you, and you shall prophesy with them, and shall be turned into another man. (1 Samuel 10:2-6)

David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. (1 Chronicles 13:8)

It happened, when the priests were come out of the holy place, (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, and did not keep their divisions; also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets;) it happened, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, saying, For he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Yahweh, so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:11-14)

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps. (Nehemiah 12:27)

Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill, To your tents. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God. (Psalms 43:3-4)

I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp. (Psalms 49:4)

Wake up, my glory! Wake up, psaltery and harp! I will wake up the dawn. (Psalms 57:8)

My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul. Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. (Psalms 108:1-2)

I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. (Psalms 71:22)

Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp! (Psalms 149:3)

who strum on the strings of a harp; who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David; (Amos 6:5)

David is likely the most famous harpist in history. Based on these words of God through Amos, it appears that David was not only a talented musician but also a craftsman who enjoyed inventing new instruments. David is like a poster child God used to highlight characteristics that mark those who pursue an intimate relationship with God like he did. We see many references in David's songs to use of the harp along with other instruments to enhance and amplify praise to God. The harp seems to symbolize the joy that can be experienced in God's presence. Yet for every genuine there is a counterfeit, yet we can even there learn important insights we might not notice otherwise.

Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them! The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don't regard the work of Yahweh, neither have they considered the operation of his hands. Therefore my people go into captivity for lack of knowledge. Their honorable men are famished, and their multitudes are parched with thirst. (Isaiah 5:11-13)

God seems to be saying here that the problem is not in their music or with the instruments, but rather failure to use them for what they should accomplish – helping us know and praise God and to enhance the attractiveness of His wisdom and how He cares for us.

It will come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. After the end of seventy years it will be to Tyre like in the song of the prostitute. Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered. It will happen after the end of seventy years that Yahweh will visit Tyre, and she shall return to her wages, and will play the prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the earth. Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before Yahweh, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. (Isaiah 23:15-18)

Application

How do my beliefs about faith affect my ability to connect more closely with my Savior?

What might be preventing me from being bold enough to ask God to invite me to do what is seemingly impossible and that others are afraid to try?

What might I learn from this story of Peter and Jesus that could help me avoid sinking in the water?

I am not bound to repeat mistakes others have made or even my own. How does this relate to how I view my value in God's eyes and how I can rise above my past?

Whose faith is it that actually can keep me safely above the water and the fire and sustains my life?

What is my part in this cooperative relationship with Jesus?

What will prompt me to leave the boat where all my friends and loved ones choose to remain?

What choices can I make and what might I do to replace my unbelief with trust in God's heart for me?

How does this inform me about the danger of giving expression to complaints and negative thoughts?

Complaining to others can be a symptom of failure of being honest with Jesus about my frustrations with Him.

Will I choose to believe the faith Jesus has in me over my doubts, fears and shame?

How might standing on top of the sea correlate to living according to the Spirit of life?

What purpose does music have in my life?

Do I use music to make me feel better, or is it designed to make God's love more attractive to me?

Can I get distracted by music that resonates with my feelings but makes my feelings more important than knowing God better?

How can music provide an uplifting, heavenly influence in my spirit?