Of Censers and Smoke - Rumor notes 155

 

Revelation 15

5 After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts. 7 One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished.

One of the four living creatures

Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!" (Revelation 4:6-8)

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. They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth." (Revelation 5:8-10)

The question here is, which of the 4 creatures this might be. It could be the Lion that represents intense emotion. It might be the Eagle representing group identity and the highest perspective possible. It might be the Man signaling that this group is like the only normal Man who ever lived, and who have learned how to act like themselves through emulating Him. Or it could be intentionally vague so that it can mean whatever it needs to from whatever perspective it is viewed.

gave to the seven angels

If these 7 angels represent the group known as the 144,000 who are just like the Lamb, there are some verses that may contribute to this that can be helpful to understanding what this is all about.

To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; (Ephesians 3:8-11)

For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. (1 Corinthians 4:9)

Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish; to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

There is a passage in Isaiah that resonates strongly with what is being described here in this chapter. It involved an important empowering experience needed in order to carry out a very difficult work not unlike what this group of messengers need to equip them for what they must do.

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then I said, "Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of Armies!" Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. He touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven." (Isaiah 6:1-7)

The first half of chapter 6 in Isaiah resonates strongly with this chapter 15 of dedication, and it also resonates with the first harvest we examined in chapter 14. The following verses resonate with what is about to happen as these messengers begin to carry out their mission in chapter 16. See how these descriptions in Isaiah fit well with the reactions to the outpouring of the bowls coming up.

I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!" He said, "Go, and tell this people, 'You hear indeed, but don't understand; and you see indeed, but don't perceive.' Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed."

Then I said, "Lord, how long?" He answered, "Until cities are waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land becomes utterly waste, And Yahweh has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land." (Isaiah 6:8-12)

golden bowls full of the wrath of God

Bowls are here translated from the Greek word phiale which means a broad shallow cup. It is vital that we appreciate just what this is referring to in order to understand properly what transpires in the following chapter. Let's trace the origins of this from Scripture so we have a solid understand of just what is happening here. Far too long these passages have been filtered through the dark opinions and superstitions of men and religion that obscures the glorious truth waiting to envelope us here.

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)

Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand. The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3-5)

While the word translated censer in these passages is not identical to the one translated bowls, the link between the incense and the prayers of the saints indicates they are closely connected if not one and the same in function. This last passage also contributes a great deal to understanding what really happens when these angels pour out the contents of their containers on all the strategic arenas defining the world. Without this background firmly in view, it is all too easy to misinterpret what this and the next chapter are all about from heaven's perspective.

I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!" (Revelation 16:1)

Here are other angles from which to view the meaning of these bowls filled with aromatic scents. In the sanctuary services, there were bowls designed for libations or drink offerings to be poured out as gifts or sacrifices.

You shall make its dishes, its spoons, its ladles, and its bowls to pour out offerings with. Of pure gold shall you make them. (Exodus 25:29)

Even more interesting we find the same word in the Septuagint used to describe the object of greatest adoration in the Song of Solomon.

His jaws are as bowls of the aromatic, germinating scents. His lips are as lilies dripping full-bodied myrrh. (Song 5:13)

My beloved man went down to his garden, to bowls of the aromatics, to tend in gardens, and to collect lilies. (Song 6:2)

Compare this to how Paul spoke of his own ministry and pending demise. This disposition of pouring out one's life for others reflects the disposition of the true Lamb of God who poured out His life as the ultimate offering to redeem His children from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.

But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you-- (Philippians 2:17 NRSV)

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8 NRSV)

the wrath of God

We have studied this metaphor repeatedly enough that I think it should be settled by now in our reasoning. If anyone has questions about this, review the previous passages where we have explored this concept. There is hardly any other place where it is so important to strictly adhere to God's definition of this phrase than in what we are about to explore in the upcoming chapter.

who lives forever and ever

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18)

When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, (Revelation 4:9-10)

I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!" The four living creatures said, "Amen!" The elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:13-14)

All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:11-12)

The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay, but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets. (Revelation 10:5-7)

The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15)

he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. 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. (Revelation 14:10-11)

There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

(Here are further references for those who want to explore this more.

Ex. 15:18; Deut. 32:40; Ps. 10:16; 48:14; 145:1; Dan. 4:34; 12:7; Rom. 6:9; Heb. 1:8; 7:8,16,25)

The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God

Keep in mind that the temple in heaven is a mirror image of what happens in a far greater and more real dimension, yet closely reflects what is going on here on earth inside of God's people who are what the temple actually represents.

Mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. (Exodus 19:18)

Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. Yahweh also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them. (Psalms 18:8-14)

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tent. (Exodus 40:34)

Yahweh spoke to Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before Yahweh, and died; and Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother, not to come at all times into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die: for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:1-2)

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)

The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:4)

Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. The glory of Yahweh mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Yahweh's glory. (Ezekiel 10:3-4)

Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and behold, the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh: and I fell on my face. (Ezekiel 44:4)

Mary, therefore, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. (John 12:3)

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Revelation 21:10-11)

The temple represents God's dwelling place which in its purist form involves the hearts of His human children who have given Him access to dwell in them. These are they who follow fully the instructions of the 1st angel (Rev. 14:6-7) and now their own lives become filled to capacity with the glorious experience of love they have testified to as originating with God. This fullness of glory the preparation necessary for them to pour it out in the next chapter on the whole world, resulting in such a violent allergic reaction that it will culminate in the splitting of the very foundations of Satan's evil empire, initiating the beginning its complete collapse into ruin.

No one was able to enter into the temple

Appreciating why no one can enter the temple is very important. There may be more than one reason.

There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

Moses wasn't able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Yahweh's glory filled the tent. (Exodus 40:35)

It came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled 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 Yahweh. (1 Kings 8:10-11)

Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looks toward the east; and it was shut. Yahweh said to me, This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, neither shall any man enter in by it; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has entered in by it; therefore it shall be shut. (Ezekiel 44:1-2)

So you will know that I am Yahweh, your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy, and no strangers will pass through her any more. (Joel 3:17)

The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:8-10)

Forty long years I was grieved with that generation, and said, "It is a people that errs in their heart. They have not known my ways." Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They won't enter into my rest." (Psalms 95:10-11)

To whom did he swear that they wouldn't enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:18-19)

For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears. (Hebrews 12:17)

Parallel to smoke filling Solomon's temple upon its dedication so that no one was able to enter, in final events the true temple of God – the hearts of His loyal followers – become filled with His glory so that nothing or no one can access the affections of their hearts that might defile His temple to entice them to loosen their tight relationship with God. This time of great intensity is represented by the seven bowls that clarifies for all the world, the true nature of God's release of the rejectors of His mercy [wrath] to what they have chosen as their identity in place of His. This is symbolic of the close of probation, not arbitrarily on the part of God but rather bringing closure and and permanent sealing of every mind concerning whom they have chosen to trust, follow and define their character.

Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. (Acts 5:11-13)

until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished

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. (Revelation 15:1)

but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets. (Revelation 10:7)

For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. (Revelation 17:17)

Now all the work of Solomon was prepared to the day of the foundation of the house of Yahweh, and until it was finished. So the house of Yahweh was completed. (2 Chronicles 8:16)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, (Romans 1:18-24)

This process relating to God's wrath is what becomes finished here at the end of chapter 15. People have come to be fully immersed in the disposition of whichever side they have chosen to worship, and God is compelled to finally release them fully to the results of their determined choices.

What follows in the next chapter is one last final testing of all who have settled into determined resistance to any and every attempt of God to win their hearts and loyalty to Himself. It must be proven openly that there are simply none left that retain any willingness, desire or even capacity to be won over to living in His kingdom of love and freedom and vulnerability. What we will see in the next chapter are the horrific reactions caused by determined resistance to truth, faith and love among those who dwell on the earth.

What we have learned here in chapter 15 is vital for moving into chapter 16 without losing perspective. We must keep in mind what we have learned about this group of messengers as we examine the extreme events coming up that happen as a result of these agents pouring out the contents of their censers. Their praises and intercessions act as a catalyst causing what is termed the 7 last plagues.

Coming Out for God - Rumor notes 154

 Revelation 15

5 After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts. 7 One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished.

After these things

Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. (Revelation 1:19 NAS95)

After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this." (Revelation 4:1)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)

After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory. (Revelation 18:1)

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: (Revelation 19:1)

This phrase, after these things, could easily be mistaken to merely apply to consecutive sequence. However, I think it may be more helpful to view this as referencing context in order to supply perspective to better appreciate and understand deeper meaning. What this may be instructing us is to keep in mind the things we just read previous to this as key to interpreting what is about to be revealed from this point on.

I looked and behold

This combination of the words looked or saw with behold, seems to be something to alert us to discover important threads, particularly through this book. This shows up a couple places in Acts.

I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn't deny my name. (Revelation 3:8)

This is an interesting translation of the word as know that is usually rendered as see or look.

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6 NKJV)

I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:2 NAS95)

When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come." I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. (Revelation 6:5 NAS95)

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. (Revelation 6:12 NKJV)

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. (Revelation 14:1)

I looked, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11)

Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, (Acts 10:17)

Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more. (Acts 20:25)

the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened

The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed. (Revelation 11:16-19)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11)

Notice how the idea of judgment is closely linked to opening of the temple. This is because judging, according to Jesus' definition of judgment, is exactly that – light exposing what is hidden in darkness.

Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1-4)

Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:50-53)

But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:15-18)

The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out

Another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Send forth your sickle, and reap; for the hour to reap has come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe!" (Revelation 14:15)

Another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven. He also had a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:17)

The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came forth out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" (Revelation 16:17)

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 19:5)

Moses said to Aaron, Take your censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense thereon, and carry it quickly to the congregation, and make atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from Yahweh; the plague is begun.

Aaron took as Moses spoke, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on the incense, and made atonement for the people. He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. (Numbers 16:46-48)

The voice from the throne of God gives instruction for us to give praise to our God. This praise is directly linked with the New Song lyrics which in turn is the secret power that alone can defeat the empire of darkness and fear the enemy depends on to remain in power.

When the context of this passage in Numbers is examined, what can be seen is an old song way of dealing with rebellion in contrast to what we are discovering here in the transition from the Song of Moses over to complete reliance on the Song of the Lamb. After examining Numbers 16 for nearly 2 weeks now, I am coming to see the way Moses reacted to a critical challenge of his leadership and authority given him and his brother Aaron by God, became distorted because his anger. His response was influenced in how he used his access to God's power to quell one uprising after another. Rather than simply assuming that everything Moses did or wrote as being God's direct instructions to him, we would do well to keep in mind that the Lamb of the gospels is a far superior revelation of God's ways and disposition over the inferior ways practiced by Moses and other prophets.

What is coalescing from my study of comparing these two songs is that the Song of Moses is formatted on the world's system of reward and punishment, a dualistic view of God originating in the serpent's assertion that God knows both good and evil and we should do the same. This immature view of God permeates every religion of the world including Christianity. However, what we are learning in this book is that the only way evil can be effectively defeated is not by resorting to violent repression or punishment, but rather by the very opposite. The symbol of the willingly humble, violently slaughtered Lamb who alone is discovered to be qualified to be God's Christ and accept the job of addressing the rebellion and accusations involved in the sealed scroll, is the most significant truth in the entire book. Thus the New Song is a complete rewrite of the whole way we think, the way we perceive God and His motives, and the way we communicate with others.

I believe this chapter is pivotal to understanding the nature of how the empire of evil is brought down in the next chapter, and what we have just studied in the first 4 verses is key to unlocking proper perspective for the following verses. It includes transitioning from the old Song of Moses into embracing the New Song of the Lamb. This empowers these 'angels' to rely entirely on incense released through their prayers and praises of God. This potency of the New Song power is increasingly highlighted as we progress through this prophecy, and this chapter is key in that transition. While the previous old song is rooted in a binary view of God, the New Song is rooted in a 1 John 1:5 view of God, as purely light with no hint of darkness at all in Him. This singular view of God is best described in John 17 where Jesus describes the kind of intimate unity of heart, mind, soul and spirit with the mind and heart of God that is the ultimate goal of the whole plan of salvation. This is what is involved in the opening of the temple of the tabernacle that most explicitly describes the hearts and lives of God's people who respond to His passionate love in them most willingly.

The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me. In my distress I called on Yahweh, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears.

Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. Yahweh also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them.

Then the channels of waters appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high. He took me. He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support. He brought me forth also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me. (Psalms 18:5-19)

David lived under the old song paradigm, viewing God through a lens of reward/punishment as the way to explain how things were perceived from that perspective. We all have similar limited perspective so that when we report what we perceive as God's work in our lives, it is always tainted by our presuppositions as to what we imagine are God's motives. This is why Paul says ...let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, "That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment." (Romans 3:4) This is not an accusation but simply an acknowledgment that only the true Lamb of God understands and gives expression to the real truth that is beyond our capacity to fully appreciate. Consider how David here describes what he believes to be God's response to his cry for deliverance from his enemies, yet when we compare it to a similar description given by God to Job, we discover that it is actually describing a mythical creature representing Satan, the king over all the sons of pride.

His [Leviathan's] sneezing flashes out light. His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning torches. Sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. His breath kindles coals. A flame goes forth from his mouth. There is strength in his neck. Terror dances before him. (Job 41:18-22)

Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, "Don't you see all of these things? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down." (Matthew 24:1-2)

The earthly temple more than once became an idol, a stone of stumbling for God's chosen people of Israel. It was this temple Jesus went out from even while His disciples were trying to distract Him by pointing out the inferior glory they imagined was so important in the physical structures. We remain in the same danger ourselves because we too so often fall into the trap of putting so much emphasis on literal, physical things rather than viewing them as greatly inferior symbols pointing us towards far greater and grander realities in the spiritual realm. Many make the Bible an idol that they worship (even specific translations of the Bible) more than trusting the revelation of God in His Son sent to correct our perceptions through His life, example and teachings. Jesus went out from the temple for the last time, leaving it desolate and abandoned by God as it had become a pointless symbol because of the stubborn resistance to love by the religious leaders bent on rigidly enforcing the Song of Moses as the only right way to serve God.

The Lamb was sent to teach us the New Song, and He illustrated the far superior power of the New Song in His teachings and through His earthly ministry. Yet few choose to believe and embrace His version of God and reality, because they choose to cling to the binary version of reality that has dictated human reasoning ever since the fall of Adam. But we are now invited to move beyond that.

clothed with pure, bright linen

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. (Revelation 3:18)

It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:8)

Do not be distracted and miss the key phrase in this verse. It is all too easy to imagine it is our job to array ourselves with righteous acts, forgetting that everything must be first freely received before we can produce fruit. Everything needed for living out the righteous acts of God's goodness is provided for all who are willing to accept them. Without first receiving the goodness, kindness, graciousness and even the faith of Jesus, it will be impossible to display those attributes and fruit of the Spirit evidenced in our interactions with others. The bride of the Lamb arrays herself in this pure, bright, fine linen because she first receives what is given to her generously by her Bridegroom in love.

The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. (Revelation 19:14)

I believe what we glimpse here is a reminder that we humans here on earth are not the only ones who are in need of dramatic revisions of what God is like. While the hosts of heaven are ahead of us on this learning curve, and their allegiance to the Lamb's version of God was only solidified when they witnessed the horrific treatment of their beloved divine leader at the instigation of Satan at the cross. They had to also learn that God's ways are not our ways and that the wrath of man/Satan does not accomplish the righteousness of God. It is the Lamb, the Son of God/Son of Man who alone is both God's Christ and our Christ.

It is the Son of God, Jesus Christ who is the unifying magnet drawing all who are willing to Himself. He is the liberating truth about our Father's heart and character. God's passionate love flows through Jesus without any inhibiting resistance. The angels of heaven were deeply affected by the exposure of their previously beloved leader Lucifer who turned traitor, yet this was not fully sealed until the death of Christ. Upon witnessing the the Lamb's testimony that transforms sinners into saints by means of kindness bringing them to repentance, the armies of heaven fall in line behind the true Champion here seen as riding a white horse, who judges and wages war only in righteousness.

Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Because God has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne I will be greater than you."

Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck, and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, "Bow the knee!" He set him over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:38-43)

Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office. These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest's office. (Exodus 28:1-4)

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)

wearing golden sashes around their breasts

And among the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. (Revelation 1:13)

I can't emphasize enough that these are the only two places in all of Scripture that describe this unique accessory specifically as a golden sash. I find this highly significant as it tells me that whoever is represented here as being 7 angels commissioned to carry out this last assault against the kingdom of darkness, they sport an identical outfit that is only seen being worn by the Hero of this book who introduced Himself to John at the very outset of this book.

You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of the embroiderer. (Exodus 28:39)

I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. (Daniel 10:5-6)

Here we find more similarities linking together clues indicating that it is the Son of God who originates this unique lifestyle outfit reflective of God's pure character of love and truth. His thighs are girded with pure gold. In Revelation his chest is adorned with a golden sash as are those here in chapter 15. The message of Jesus to Laodicea is to buy from Him white garment and gold along with eye salve so they can see and dress and act just like the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Now we find agents who have done just that. This is part of why I am convinced these angels represent the special agents of the Lamb labeled the 144,000.

This golden sash may represent all who cling to Jesus' version of God. They reflect God's heart just as Jesus did while on earth and in this way add their testimony to that of Jesus and accomplish bringing glory to His reputation. This has been God's passionate desire for us from the very beginning, yet His will has repeatedly been thwarted and spurned throughout history until finally this last generation accepts His offer to dwell in them and completely transform them into beautiful examples of His glorious love and kindness.

For as the belt cleaves to the waist of a man, so have I caused to cleave to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says Yahweh; that they may be to me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear. (Jeremiah 13:11)

So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputes, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding up the word of life... (Philippians 2:12-16)

the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; (Colossians 1:26-27)

Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

We learned when studying the message to Laodicea that gold represents faith and love. Here we find this gold is wrapped entirely around their hearts motivating them with the faith of Jesus and the fire of God's passionate love consuming out of them anything dissonant with God's heart of agape love. This is the ultimate ring of fire.

These angel/humans parallel Abraham's interceding with God in the story of Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33) with bold confidence in His faithfulness, compassion and love. This is the disposition of these agents who exhaust every last possible effort, seeking for any residue of hope to rescue even one last soul out of a wicked world totally immersed in iniquity and rebellion. Throughout the next chapter they are found interceding along with God just as Jesus intercedes, in a final attempt to discover if might be any left willing to repent.

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Refined Music - Rumor notes 153

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."

the song of the Lamb

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)

Jesus, the Lamb of God who was sent to take away the sins of the world, is the One who told us we are not identified as servants but as His friends. Consequently the Song of the Lamb is exponentially more glorious than the glory of Moses and the law. Paul emphasizes this when comparing the old level of glory with the far exceeding glory released in the light of the revelation of God's infinitely better solution than anything ever imagined by previous prophets and kings.

...our sufficiency is from God; who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away: won't service of the Spirit be with much more glory? For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn't look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away. But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away. But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:5-18)

Last time we mentioned a rehearsal of these two songs in chapter 19 where we see the contrast between these two with a corrective voice from the throne of God that stops the first song, followed by a reset to get the song right in the end. Here is the second song that parallels what we will study today, the perception of reality and God through the matured and passionate devotion by those who use their harps and voices to praise the Lamb they follow passionately wherever He leads them.

I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready." It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:6-8)

Notice how closely this song resonates with what we are immersing ourselves in here in chapter 15. It is no coincidence that both passages also use the same phrase, Lord God, the Almighty. This is the Song of the Lamb being sung by the special agents of the Lamb who have learned this song so well they are commissioned to use it in the most important assault at the most crucial time of the war that accomplishes a breakthrough that reverberates throughout the rest of history. This is because they have come to be unresisting channels for the power of the Almighty to flow through them so efficiently that no amount of fear or darkness can long withstand the intensity of light, love and truth that is to be poured out on the kingdom of evil and darkness and fear.

This verse in Revelation 15 may outline differences of emphasis between the song of Moses and the more refined Song of the Lamb. View them parallel to each other to see this more clearly.

Song of Moses Song of the Lamb

Great Righteous/just - equitable

Marvelous True

Your works Your ways

Lord God, the Almighty! King of the nations/saints

Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty!

We must not overlook the repetition of this same phrase from earlier in this chapter. We previously spent time unpacking this great and marvelous idea, but here we need to unpack it further to see how it will be refined in the Song of the Lamb. Keep in mind this phrase would correspond more to the Song of Moses.

In the Greek the word megas translated here as great, means big, exceedingly great, high, large, loud, mighty, strong. This could resonate with the idea of hierarchy. If this is what opens the song of Moses, compare it to its counterpart in the next song that opens with the word righteous (or just, depending on what translation you use). That word in the Greek literally means equitable. What is the difference between viewing someone as mega-great, mighty, high and strong, compared to perceiving someone as equitable, right, more like what we might call fair?

Equitable is closely linked to the word equal or equality. This highlights one of the most startling contrasts in how God is viewed in the Old Testament and what is revealed by Jesus in the New.

For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." Again, "I will put my trust in him." Again, "Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me." Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:11-15)

Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. He said to me, "See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." (Revelation 22:8-9)

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. You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. "I command these things to you, that you may love one another. (John 15:15-17)

Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; (John 17:20-22)

As we have been discovering, the New Song is the primary weapon of the special ops agents of the Lamb used to overcome all the power of evil and darkness. This chapter along with the next clarifies the reality of this truth and even expands it to a whole new level of intensity.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)

The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!" (Revelation 4:8)

The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth." (Revelation 11:16-18)

I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments." (Revelation 16:7)

I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, something like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day of God, the Almighty. (Revelation 16:13-14)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. (Revelation 19:11, 15)

What must be appreciated in all these passages is the issue of power and how it is exercised by God in particular. This was part of the accusations of Satan from the very outset of his rebellion. The title Almighty directly involves the issue of power. Few doubt that God has limitless access to power. What is being contested is how God chooses to exercise power, whether He uses it to impose His way on others, threatening punishments on those who resist or disobey His directives by means of forceful, imposed power that would violate the principle of freedom.

From the beginning of the war, Satan has asserted that love was too weak to protect the universe from dissension and strife. By launching his own rebellion that resulted in chaos, he artfully shifted the blame for the tragic results onto God, accusing Him both of being too soft on crime while at the same time making God out to be complicit with Satan's use of forced compliance using manipulation by rewards and punishments. The confusion resulting from these contradictory accusations throughout the entire history of the rebellion, began long before this world was involved, and has led to untold amounts of grief, suffering, violence and fear that has exploited God's design of love, truth and freedom for all. Understanding this issue of God's use of power and how it lies at the center of the contest, gives us better perspective to appreciate what is being referenced in these passages as God being viewed as Almighty.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. (Revelation 21:21-22)

Yahweh said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go, and by a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land." God spoke to Moses, and said to him, "I am Yahweh; and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them.

"I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens. Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant. Therefore tell the children of Israel, 'I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.'" (Exodus 6:1-8)

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." (Psalms 91:1-2)

In these last three passages we can glimpse God's intent for how He wanted His followers to relate to His Almighty power. It was the way His Son related to power, not using it to save themselves but rather to reflect the glory of God's selfless love to others. The two great commands upon which hang all the principles of creation as encapsulated in the Law and the Prophets, is to make God and His ways supreme in our priorities, and to reflect to others the love we freely receive from Him in healthy appreciation for our own worth and value from His estimation of us. By resting in His love, the power of the Almighty can be released through our lives to accomplish its true objective – to externalize and magnify the glory of selfless love which is the core principle of life in the universe.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3-5)

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted. Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority/power has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:16-20)

Jesus is the only accurate example of how God relates to power. Jesus is one with the Almighty. He is God's revelation of the true nature of what Almighty means in contrast to the abuse of power by Satan that brings confusion over God's character. Sadly, people of God have too often engaged in exploitive power, even supernatural power at times, in ways that misrepresent God. Jesus warned His disciples of this, alerting them that they would suffer and even be killed at the hands of people pledging allegiance to God, yet failing to appreciate that God is not a power abuser but accomplishes His will solely through the pure principle of love.

They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. (John 16:2)

Arise, let's be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand." While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people. Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him." Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I couldn't ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?" (Matthew 26:46-54)

This is recorded to alert us to the reality that this issue of power was one of the greatest temptations Jesus faced throughout His entire ministry, starting with the temptations in the wilderness where He was enticed to access His power to save His own life and to avoid suffering. The natural disposition of self-preservation was linked by Satan to distrust of God's heart. The issue of implicit trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God lies at the very heart of the battle between light and darkness, truth and deception, other-centered love versus selfishness. With this awareness for our context, reviewing these references to the Almighty can increase our awareness of how our own temptations may relate to our disposition towards power and directly reflects how we imagine God relates to power.

Satan deceives us over this issue of power, which is why we need to clarify this in our thinking.

Don't you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things? Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:5-10)

Righteous/just/equitable and true are your ways, you King [Sovereign] of the nations [saints]

I heard the angel of the waters saying, "You are righteous, who are and who were, you Holy One, because you have judged these things. For they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this." I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments." (Revelation 16:5-7)

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." (Revelation 19:2)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11)

What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn't the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:24-25)

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 32:4)

In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds. (Psalms 45:4)

Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. (Psalms 85:10-11)

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face. (Psalms 89:14)

Declare you, and bring it forth; yes, let them take counsel together: who has shown this from ancient time? who has declared it of old? Haven't I, Yahweh? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Savior; there is no one besides me. (Isaiah 45:21)

If you will return, Israel, says Yahweh, if you will return to me, and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight; then you shall not be removed; and you shall swear, As Yahweh lives, in truth, in justice, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. (Jeremiah 4:1-2)

Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9)

Yahweh, in the midst of her, is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn't fail, but the unjust know no shame. (Zephaniah 3:5)

Thus says Yahweh of Armies: "Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness." (Zechariah 8:7-8)

For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, "That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment." (Romans 3:3-4)

But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God's forbearance; to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26)

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NRSV)

Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name

For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like Yahweh, a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, to be feared above all those who are around him? (Psalms 89:6-7)

Hear now this, foolish people, and without understanding; who have eyes, and don't see; who have ears, and don't hear: Don't you fear me? says Yahweh: won't you tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it can't pass it? and though the waves of it toss themselves, yet they can't prevail; though they roar, yet they can't pass over it. But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. (Jeremiah 5:21-23)

Who should not fear you, King of the nations? for to you does it appertain; because among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like you. (Jeremiah 10:7)

This is directly affronted by the darkened mindset of those enamored with power as relied on by the dragon and all its beasts.

They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (Revelation 13:4)

you only are holy

"You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, 'HOLY TO YAHWEH.' You shall put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be on the sash; on the front of the sash it shall be. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall make holy in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before Yahweh. (Exodus 28:36-38)

Holy is one of those religious words that has largely been eclipsed by tradition and dark views of God's disposition. Many insist that God's holiness somehow makes it impossible to look on sinners, yet nothing could be further from the truth. They get this notion from a prophet's complaint and protest in his mistaken perception of how God deals with those allowed to execute excessive punishments on people who have strayed from their God.

Are you not from of old, O LORD my God, my Holy One? You shall not die. O LORD, you have marked them for judgment; and you, O Rock, have established them for punishment. Your eyes are too pure to behold evil, and you cannot look on wrongdoing; why do you look on the treacherous, and are silent when the wicked swallow those more righteous than they? (Habakkuk 1:12-13 NRSV)

Habakkuk mirrors what many people assume to be God's disposition towards sinners. They imagine that holiness means God refuses to allow anyone near Him who is not perfect. Yet this is not at all what holiness means, but is a distortion of the underlying problem of sin and its danger.

Notice in the passage we just read from Exodus the phrase that was to be kept on the forehead of the high priest. Holy to... Holiness means devoted to, dedicated to, it always has an object that explains its goal, its focus, its undivided purpose. Holiness is not self-focused but rather an aspect of agape, meaning to be holy is always other-focused. God's holiness means that He is always and ever completely focused on blessing others, ministering to others, uplifting others, loving others. He is the ultimate example as well as the Origin of holiness, and He alone gives definition of its true meaning. Any other definition falls short of appreciating the true nature of agape love.

With this understanding, Holy to the Lord will mean we reflect the same disposition that God has towards us. Our focus, purpose and meaning of existence is to give out what we receive from God. This is how we magnify His reputation and bring honor and glory to Him. This is the true principle of life – receiving from the Source of life in order to give selflessly to others. This is the true meaning of holiness, for holiness perfectly aligns with agape love. It is the enemy who has darkened our perceptions of God's heart over the centuries making Him out to be more like us than like Jesus. But progressively God is revealing the real truth about Himself and His design, to bring us back into harmony with the true principle of holiness, which is simply living in right relationship to our Creator, resting in His unwavering love for us and allowing that love to flow through us within the great circuit of life producing the fruit of praise to our God.

Hannah prayed, and said: My heart exults in Yahweh! My horn is exalted in Yahweh. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is no one as holy as Yahweh, For there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God. (1 Samuel 2:1-2)

For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

The holiness of God is in no way how people too often perceive it, like people who say, Stand by yourself, don't come near to me, for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day. (Isaiah 65:5)

As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one--God. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not give false testimony,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth." Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross." But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22)

all the nations will come and worship before you

The word translated nations here is ethnos from which we get ethnicity for diverse ethnic races of human beings. This should not be confused with the political use of the word nations.

The humble shall eat and be satisfied. They shall praise Yahweh who seek after him. Let your hearts live forever. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Yahweh. All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you. For the kingdom is Yahweh's. He is the ruler over the nations. (Psalms 22:26-28)

By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Isaiah 45:23)

For I know their works and their thoughts: the time comes, that I will gather all nations and languages; and they shall come, and shall see my glory. (Isaiah 66:18)

Many nations shall join themselves to Yahweh in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you. (Zechariah 2:11)

Thus says Yahweh of Armies: "Many peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come; and the inhabitants of one shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of Yahweh, and to seek Yahweh of Armies. I will go also.' Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Yahweh of Armies in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of Yahweh." Thus says Yahweh of Armies: "In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, 'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" (Zechariah 8:20-23)

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, "'As I live,' says the Lord, 'to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.'" (Romans 14:10-11)

Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

your righteous acts/judgments have been revealed

Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready." It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:7-8)

Samuel said to the people, It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh concerning all the righteous acts of Yahweh, which he did to you and to your fathers. (1 Samuel 12:6-7)

With my soul have I desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you earnestly; for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)

Does this mean everyone repents because of God's judgments? Does learning righteousness include becoming willing to embrace God's way of thinking and living? Jesus defines judgment as light coming that exposes and is unavoidable, but it is not irresistible. Rather, as it becomes clear that God is active, but more importantly as it becomes obvious as to what motivates Him in contrast to how He has been accused of being like, the world will come to learn what righteousness actually means, not how we have come to define it.

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." (Micah 6:5)

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. (John 3:19)

For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, (Romans 1:18-24)

Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God; (Romans 2:4-5)

Application

What is the spirit atmosphere that surrounds me, the musical resonance from my heart? Is it more in line with the old Song of Moses, or am I allowing my spirit to be more attuned to the reverberations of the Lamb's kind of music?

How much do I appreciate the difference between the Lamb's version of what God is like, and the more common views of how God relates to sinners?

What more accurately defines my disposition and perception of my relationship to God? Do I feel obligated to conform, or do I feel free and light and joyful and privileged to come to Him without fear?

What motivates me to draw near to God? Is it fear of punishment or hope of reward?

Am I choosing to remain open to having my motives exposed and rewired to reflect the Lamb's version of God's disposition and embrace His methods for my own?

Do I want an Almighty, powerful God to defend me, or am I willing to follow the Lamb who loves His enemies and is humble, meek and vulnerable and does not defend Himself?