GETTING THE MESSAGE/Christ paid our debt in full

Revelation Chapter 15 begins with a vision of “7 angels with 7 plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.” Then, in verses 2-4, there is an interlude that looks into the future at those who held to their testimony of Jesus despite the allurements and threats from the beast. They are singing joyful songs of praise to God for their deliverance and his glory in it.

In verse 5, the subject of the wrath of God is resumed. John looked and saw that the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened. This imagery points us to the tabernacle in the Old Testament. The sanctuary in the tabernacle was the “holy of holies” where the ark of the covenant was. It signified the presence of God. The ark contained the law of God, a testimony against those who broke his law. But the ark was also a symbol of mercy because the high priest offered the blood of sacrifice there for the atonement of sin.

The earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly reality, where Christ has made the way into the presence of God for sinners by his sacrifice for their sin. John sees the sanctuary opened in the context of God’s wrath proceeding from it. The point in verse 5 is that the law is not the only thing testifying against sinners on earth, but the guilt of rejecting the testimony of Jesus also testifies against them. It is a terrible testimony to have against you.

To understand this, we should consider what the testimony of Jesus is. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you peace.” Consider first who it is that says this. It is Christ, the Son of God. He is God the Father’s Son and equal, and by him all things were made. He is the appointed Mediator between God and man.

He has all power and authority, holds the keys of death and hades, and never breaks his word. He always keeps his promises. You can depend upon what he says. He is full of love. He loved us so that he laid aside his glory to be born of a woman for our sakes. He loved us so that he took on himself the great debt of our sin and paid the debt in full, dying upon the cross.

Consider also who it is he calls to come to him; those who are weary and in need of rest. Everyone in this world has a sense of unrest. There is trouble, worry, anxiety, vexation over a multitude of things whether it be from physical or emotional problems. The main weariness Christ speaks of, however, is that from sin and the conscience.

To the one who feels that weight, Christ says, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.” He gives rest by taking away the guilt of sin and giving the soul communion with God. Those who hold to the testimony of Jesus are those who know the grace of God and live by it. To not embrace Christ is to renounce him as a fraud, one you have no need of. It deprives one of salvation and provokes the wrath of God.

John sees holy, powerful angels coming out of the sanctuary with the plagues, meaning they are coming from God. One of the four living creatures gives them golden bowls full of the wrath of God, also indicating divine sanction in what is going to be poured out on earth. These are not arbitrary, beast-like judgments. They are the righteous and just judgments of the Lamb of God.

The vivid contrasts in the visions indicate to us the maddening influence of sin. In verses 2-4, you have a scene of peace, joy, and blessedness in the presence of God. Now we see the wrath of God to be poured out. Life and death, blessing and curse are set before men; yet death is chosen over life. Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit, meaning that they understand the misery of sin and the value of the great mercy of God.

In verse 8, the sanctuary is full of the glory of God, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the plagues the angels pour out are finished. This is the dreadful reality of a time when the patience of God ends, and the invitation of Christ is rescinded. God will not admit any more intercession for sinners on that day. If Christ is not sought now, he will not be sought ever.

The Rev. Chris Shelton is pastor of Union’s First Presbyterian Church.