Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 15:8

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“Revelation 15:8”
by Art Sadlier
March 7th, 2010

"And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled."

We have said that chapter 15, is a preparation for the vial judgments, as we come to the last verse of the chapter we catch a glimpse into heaven, into the temple in heaven. We read,"And the temple was filled with smoke", 'smoke' represents the judgment of God. The 'cloud' represents the glory of God. When the Tabernacle in the wilderness was finished, a cloud of glory filled it. (Exodus 40:35) When the Temple was completed a cloud of glory filled it. (1 Kings 8:10-11) No smoke was seen in either case because judgment was not associated with the situation.

When God gave the law to Moses, mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the law pronounced judgment on all who failed to keep it.(Exodus 19:18) John says the temple was filled with smoke because the judgment of God is about to be poured out upon a sinful rebellious world.

The cloud is associated with God's glory and protection and blessing. Notice it says here, "Smoke from the glory of God". We bring the two together, God's glory and God`s judgment and we learn that judgment glorifies God. Herein lies a great truth, everything ultimately brings glory to God. We learn from Paul in Ephesians that the believer is to be to the praise of the glory of God`s Grace for all of eternity. We also learn in Romans 9:22-23, that the wicked will be to the praise of glory of God`s justice for all of eternity. Judgment on sin glorifies God.

Here in our text we see the temple in heaven filled with smoke which speaks both of God`s glory and of God`s judgment.

"And no man was able to enter into the temple," Another great truth is also found in our text, we learn about God's burning anger against sin and the sinner. God's anger will burn for all of eternity against the unrepentant sinner. God created hell to burn forever.This an awesome truth that few seem to realize or understand. In Isaiah 66:24, we have glimpse of the millenial Kingdom, we see men looking directly into hell for all of eternity and viewing the sufferings of the lost. The temple is shut up until the Judgments are poured out, the time for mercy is past, no access to God is now permitted.

God takes satisfaction in judgment on sin and the sinner. We see that revealed in Isaiah 53:10, "Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin", the sins of the world were placed on Christ, and God poured out His anger against sin upon His Son. It says that, "He shall see of the travail of His soul", the Father looked upon the sufferings of Christ and took satisfaction in it, "He shall see of the travail of His soul and be Satisfied". This is an awesome truth that you ignore at your peril, God will send the sinner who refuses to repent to hell forever! The sinner will be the objects of God's wrath forever! One infinite man could bear an infinite number of sins in His death. It will take finite men all of eternity to pay for their own sins.

In our text, Rev. 15:8, we see that the ages long patience of God with sinful man has finally run out. The cry of millions of saints over the long ages for justice is about to be answered. A case in point is Revelation 6:10. This is the final and full judgment of God on the earth and it's inhabitants. In verse 1, we read about these judgments, "For in them is filled up the wrath of God", this will be total retribution for sin and rebellion against God.

The Seal judgments were the work of man, allowed by God as judgments upon men. The Trumpet judgments were the work of Satan, allowed by God as judgments upon men. Now we see the judgment of God coming directly from His hand and poured down upon the heads of the wicked, rebellious inhabitants of the earth.

I think I hear you say I do not accept a God that would punish men forever in a burning hell. You had better get over that quickly. It will be tragic if you wait to discover too late that God's anger against sin is justified, and that He would not be a Holy God if he did not judge sin. To discover that there could never be a heaven unless sinners were shut up in hell forever.

Consider the love and mercy of God as revealed in the sacrificial death of His Son on your behalf on the cross of Calvary. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" 1 Peter 3:18.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13