Divine Judgment and Authentic Worship: A Renewed Vision

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound visions in Revelation 15, which serve as a prelude to God's final judgment. We began by reflecting on Isaiah 6, where Isaiah sees the Lord in His glory, emphasizing God's holiness and the reverence due to Him. Transitioning to Revelation, we see John witnessing seven angels with seven plagues, signifying the completion of God's wrath. This chapter underscores the inevitability of divine judgment and the ultimate vindication of the faithful.

John's vision includes a sea of glass mixed with fire, symbolizing purity and judgment, and the victorious saints who overcame the beast, now standing in God's presence. These saints sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, a hymn of deliverance and victory, extolling God's works, ways, name, and righteous acts. This worship is deeply theological and theocentric, reminding us that true worship must be rooted in the truth of who God is.

The text also highlights the certainty of God's judgment. Despite the apparent triumph of evil in the world, God will right all wrongs and reward the faithful. This assurance should encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God's justice will prevail.

Moreover, the sermon calls us to authentic worship. Worship is not about our preferences but about surrendering to God and expressing our passion for Him. True worship is a reflection of our private devotion and should be theocentric, focusing on God's attributes and deeds.

Finally, we are reminded of the need for a renewed vision of God. When we see God for who He truly is, it humbles us and restores our perspective, giving us strength and hope. This vision of God will lead us to genuine worship and draw others to Him.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Inevitability of Divine Judgment: God's judgment is certain and just. Despite the apparent triumph of evil, God will right all wrongs and vindicate the faithful. This assurance should encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God's justice will ultimately prevail. [19:49]

2. Theological and Theocentric Worship: True worship must be deeply rooted in theological truth and centered on God. It is not about our preferences but about surrendering to God and expressing our passion for Him. Worship should extol God's attributes and deeds, reflecting our private devotion. [25:50]

3. Hope in the Midst of Despair: Hope is essential for our spiritual survival. It enables us to endure hardships and remain optimistic, knowing that God is on His throne and His promises are true. Even in moments of despair, we can find encouragement by trusting in God's word and His faithfulness. [43:02]

4. The Consequences of Sin: While God forgives our sins, we may still face the external consequences of our actions. This serves as a reminder to remain faithful and avoid sin, understanding that all sin has consequences. God's justice is not only for the wicked but also a call for us to live righteously. [39:34]

5. A Renewed Vision of God: Seeing God for who He truly is humbles us and restores our perspective. It helps us understand His mercy, grace, and love, leading us to genuine worship. A renewed vision of God gives us strength, hope, and encouragement, enabling us to shine our light in the darkness. [55:14]

### Youtube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[17:31] - Isaiah's Vision of God's Holiness
[18:21] - John's Vision in Revelation 15
[19:03] - Prelude to God's Final Judgment
[19:49] - The Certainty of God's Judgment
[20:34] - The Seven Angels and Seven Plagues
[21:14] - The Wrath of God and Jesus' Sacrifice
[22:03] - The Finality of God's Wrath
[22:43] - The Meaning of God's Wrath
[23:25] - The Sea of Glass and Victorious Saints
[24:02] - The Rewards of the Faithful
[24:40] - Instruments in Worship
[25:18] - The Song of Moses and the Lamb
[25:50] - Theological and Theocentric Worship
[26:29] - The Nations Will Worship God
[27:09] - The Triumph of the Faithful
[27:51] - The Tragedy of Rejecting Christ
[28:30] - The Temptation of Idolatry
[29:09] - The Presence of God in Judgment
[29:43] - The Holiness and Righteousness of God
[30:17] - The Inapproachability of God's Holiness
[30:58] - The Only Way to God
[31:33] - The Importance of Application
[32:08] - The Certainty of God's Judgment
[32:45] - The Vindication of the Faithful
[33:24] - The Injustice in the World
[34:06] - The Persecution of Early Christians
[34:54] - The Temptation to Despair
[35:33] - The Prosperity of the Wicked
[36:11] - The Psalmist's Struggle
[36:42] - The End of the Wicked
[37:13] - God's Presence is Our Good
[37:53] - The Temptation to Despair
[38:24] - God Will Right All Wrongs
[38:58] - The Assurance of God's Justice
[39:34] - The Consequences of Sin
[40:07] - The Call to Encouragement
[40:44] - The Tragedy of Despair
[41:16] - The Struggle with Depression
[41:50] - The Reality of Despair
[42:28] - The Importance of Hope
[43:02] - Hope Feeds Our Soul
[43:36] - The Power of Hope
[44:07] - The Optimism of Faith
[44:49] - The Sensitivity to Discouragement
[45:32] - The Reality of Depression
[46:11] - The Voice We Listen To
[46:48] - The Encouragement of God's Word
[47:29] - The Victory Song in Heaven
[48:21] - Faith Dares to Fail
[48:53] - The Promise of Jesus' Return
[49:33] - The Call to Authentic Worship
[50:14] - The Importance of Private Worship
[50:45] - Spontaneous Worship
[51:22] - Worshiping in Love
[52:00] - The Sum Total of Worship
[52:37] - The Worship Wars
[53:09] - The Diversity of Worship Styles
[53:33] - Surrendering in Worship
[54:04] - The Presence of God in Worship
[54:42] - The Vision of God
[55:14] - The Need for a Renewed Vision
[55:52] - The Humbling Vision of God
[56:22] - The Perspective of God's Vision
[56:53] - The King of Kings
[57:21] - The Strength of a New Vision
[58:17] - The Call to Worship
[59:12] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 6:1-4: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.' At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke."
2. Revelation 15:1-8: "I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: 'Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.' After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed."

#### Observation Questions
1. What did Isaiah see in his vision of the Lord in Isaiah 6:1-4?
2. In Revelation 15, what do the seven angels hold, and what is the significance of these items? [18:21]
3. Describe the scene around the sea of glass mixed with fire in Revelation 15. Who is present and what are they doing? [23:25]
4. What is the song of Moses and the Lamb about, and what attributes of God does it highlight? [25:18]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness in Isaiah 6:1-4 set the stage for understanding the visions in Revelation 15?
2. What does the sea of glass mixed with fire symbolize in Revelation 15, and how does it relate to the themes of purity and judgment? [23:25]
3. Why is the song of Moses and the Lamb described as both theological and theocentric? What does this tell us about the nature of true worship? [25:50]
4. How does the certainty of God’s judgment, as depicted in Revelation 15, provide hope and encouragement to believers facing persecution or injustice? [38:24]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the apparent triumph of evil in the world. How does the assurance of God’s final judgment help you remain steadfast in your faith? [19:49]
2. In what ways can you make your personal worship more theological and theocentric, focusing on God’s attributes and deeds rather than personal preferences? [25:50]
3. How can you cultivate hope in your life, especially during moments of despair or discouragement? What specific steps can you take to remind yourself of God’s promises and faithfulness? [43:02]
4. Consider the consequences of sin in your life. How can understanding the external consequences of sin motivate you to live more righteously? [39:34]
5. When was the last time you had a renewed vision of God that humbled you and restored your perspective? How can you seek a fresh vision of God in your daily life? [55:14]
6. How can you ensure that your worship, both private and corporate, is a genuine expression of your devotion to God? What changes might you need to make to align your worship with the example set in Revelation 15? [50:14]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to surrender more fully to God. What practical steps can you take this week to express your passion for Him in that area? [53:33]

Devotional

Day 1: The Certainty of God's Judgment
God's judgment is not a matter of if, but when. Revelation 15 presents a vivid picture of seven angels with seven plagues, symbolizing the completion of God's wrath. This chapter serves as a reminder that despite the apparent triumph of evil in the world, God's justice will ultimately prevail. The faithful will be vindicated, and all wrongs will be righted. This assurance should encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God's judgment is both certain and just. The vision of the sea of glass mixed with fire, and the victorious saints standing in God's presence, underscores the inevitability of divine judgment and the ultimate reward for the faithful. [19:49]

Revelation 15:1-2 (ESV): "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands."

Reflection: How does the certainty of God's judgment influence your daily decisions and actions? Are there areas in your life where you need to align more closely with God's justice and righteousness?

Day 2: Theological and Theocentric Worship
True worship is deeply rooted in theological truth and centered on God. It is not about our preferences or styles but about surrendering to God and expressing our passion for Him. Revelation 15 highlights the victorious saints singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, a hymn of deliverance and victory that extols God's works, ways, name, and righteous acts. This worship is a reflection of their private devotion and is deeply theocentric, focusing on God's attributes and deeds. Authentic worship should always be grounded in the truth of who God is and what He has done. [25:50]

Psalm 96:9-10 (ESV): "Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you make your worship more theocentric and less about personal preferences? How can you incorporate more theological truths into your worship practices?

Day 3: Hope in the Midst of Despair
Hope is essential for our spiritual survival. It enables us to endure hardships and remain optimistic, knowing that God is on His throne and His promises are true. Even in moments of despair, we can find encouragement by trusting in God's word and His faithfulness. Revelation 15 assures us that despite the apparent triumph of evil, God's justice will prevail, and the faithful will be rewarded. This hope should feed our souls and give us the strength to persevere through difficult times, knowing that God's ultimate victory is certain. [43:02]

Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Reflection: Think of a current situation in your life that feels hopeless. How can you remind yourself of God's promises and find hope in His faithfulness today?

Day 4: The Consequences of Sin
While God forgives our sins, we may still face the external consequences of our actions. This serves as a reminder to remain faithful and avoid sin, understanding that all sin has consequences. Revelation 15 underscores the seriousness of God's judgment and the importance of living righteously. God's justice is not only for the wicked but also a call for believers to live in a way that honors Him. Recognizing the consequences of sin should lead us to a deeper commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commands. [39:34]

Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are experiencing the consequences of past sins? How can you seek God's forgiveness and make changes to avoid repeating those mistakes?

Day 5: A Renewed Vision of God
Seeing God for who He truly is humbles us and restores our perspective. It helps us understand His mercy, grace, and love, leading us to genuine worship. Revelation 15 calls us to a renewed vision of God, which gives us strength, hope, and encouragement. This vision enables us to shine our light in the darkness and draw others to Him. When we see God in His glory, it transforms our lives and deepens our relationship with Him. A renewed vision of God is essential for authentic worship and spiritual growth. [55:14]

Isaiah 6:1-3 (ESV): "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"

Reflection: How can you seek a renewed vision of God in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to deepen your understanding of His attributes and draw closer to Him?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God is a righteous God. He is a just God. And because he is holy and because he is just He must punish sin. God cannot wink at sin. That's the entire reason Jesus died on the cross Was because we are sinners And if we did not have someone to take the wrath of God for us We would suffer the wrath of God because of our own sin." [20:34] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But the Bible says that God commended his love towards us And that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He who knew no sin became sin That we might become the righteousness of God in him. So on the cross Jesus took the wrath of God That belongs to us rightfully because of our sin. And when we put our trust in Jesus God appropriates the righteousness of Christ to us So we are no longer children of wrath But now we are children of God." [21:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Hope enables us to keep on going When reason tells us we can't go any further Hope shines like a beacon of light in the darkness Dispelling the clouds of despair And defeat It promises that there's something better That if we are faithful If we will not give up That God will see us through." [43:02] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you're in love with Jesus You just tell him whenever And it doesn't matter who gets upset about it It really doesn't I mean nobody can see in my car Because I have really dark tinted windows Because I live in crematoria here But when I lived in a moderate climate You could see inside my windows And I'm driving down the street singing People are like he's crazy That's okay I'm just I'm in love with Jesus I'm singing songs." [51:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Listen, folks, we're not called to be God's chosen frozen. We're called to be God's people, active and alive, worshiping. He inhabits the praise of his people. So when Pastor Jacob gets up here and leads us in worship, folks, it's not about the people that are standing here on the stage. It's not about how wonderful they look or how good their voice is. It's about giving glory and honor to the one who alone is worthy of our praise." [58:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Our text speaks to the certainty of God's judgment And our vindication Every day, living in this fallen world That we live in We witness injustice Perhaps it's in some different land Where a ruthless dictator is killing his people without mercy Or maybe it's right here in our own backyard Where we see criminals get off on a technicality Or just released by a judicial system That no longer wants to punish crime cases appear to be without end." [33:24] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Our text assures us That despite what we may see with our eyes And experience with our lives God is on his throne And one day he will right all wrongs And reward all faith And call each individual into account For every idle word and every deed This book and this chapter in particular Emphasize the reality that judgment is coming And that in spite of temporal apparent peace There's no rest for the wicked." [38:24] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We have read about the things Which will afflict God's people The whole world will someday turn against us We will be ostracized politically, economically, socially, religiously And yet while God's people are suffering all these things on earth In heaven we get this picture that is very different In heaven there is a victory song being sung Isn't that great? They are singing a song up there of victory Victory in Jesus my savior forever They are up there singing it And we are down here going oh it is so tough And they are singing victory in Jesus." [46:48] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We need a new vision of God A new vision of God will give strength to the weak Will give hope to the hopeless Will give encouragement to those who are tempted to despair And a new vision of God, listen Will lead us to the kind of worship That will draw people like moths to a flame And will open the way for those who fear To be under the sorry and the vulnerable We need a new vision of God That will draw people like moths to a flame And a new vision of God That will draw people like moths to a flame Will lead us to the kind of worship That will draw people like moths to." [57:21] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you don't like worship now You're not going to enjoy heaven very much Week after week people play games with God They go through the motions of church But they never really encounter God And can I tell you That you will not encounter God in a corporate worship setting If you are not encountering God in your private worship I don't know what that looks like for you For some people it's going into a quiet space And we used to call it worshiping God We used to call it the prayer closet Or having their quiet time." [50:14] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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