The Need for Urgency

We have been told by many so-called experts that the end is near. However, they suggest that it’s because we are running out of air, the climate and atmosphere are being destroyed, we’re running out of food, etc. And of course, humanism, under the guise of humanitarianism, science, and political correctness, wishes to offer their own solutions. This in turn causes people to run out of hope, since it is rooted in being anti-God.

However, I would suggest that it would make more sense for those who are unsaved and fretting about everything else, that they should be petrified in fear about what God is going to do in His righteous judgment.

You may recall, as we began the book of Revelation, I gave a simplistic outline. The outline comes from Revelation 1.19, “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.” It consists of the things which were, the things which are, and the things which will be.

Chapter 1 dealt with the things which had been seen or the things which were.

Chapters 2-3 dealt with the things which are. This was seen as John sent specific letters, as dictated by the Holy Spirit, to the seven churches that were in existence at that time.

Chapters 4 through the end of the book of Revelation, deal with the future.

Chapters 4 and 5 are wonderful chapters of praise and adoration. We understand that since John no longer mentions the church after chapter 5 onward for quite some time, plus the fact that Christ dealt with the judgment for our sins on the cross, we should assume that the church is ruptured prior to the time of the tribulation period.

Chapters 6–19 deal specifically with the tribulation period and all the events which will occur during that time. These events are specific judgments by God. They are presented in three different scenarios. First, comes the seal judgments. Secondly, are the trumpet judgments. In the next few messages, we will be looking at the bowl judgments. We have observed that as terrible as things have been, the intensity of the severity continues to increase.

Chapters 15-16 provide some specific information about the beginning of the end, just before Christ returns to set up His reign. Chapter 15 is the shortest chapter in this book, as it gives the introduction to the last judgments.

Today, we will see that the beginning of the end is going to take place. This message, will be talking about warning, worship, and wrath.

As Christians, we must have a sense of urgency in our mission.

The Beginning of the End has Warning.

Revelation 15:1 (NASB95)

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.

While experiencing this vision, John observes seven angels with the last seven plagues. He calls this sign “great and marvelous.” When these are completed, God’s wrath will be fulfilled.

The reality is that nobody will be able to say, “I didn’t realize.“ There will not be a person who can plead naïveté or ignorance. God always gives forewarning prior to his judgment. He has always provided enough information so that those who reject Him do so on their own. In fact, I am reminded of Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Again, remember that John sees a “great and marvelous sign.“ Even in the last chapter, we recall that one more opportunity, and one more warning was given to turn to Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we must indeed have a sense of urgency in our mission.

The Beginning of the End has Worship.

Revelation 15:2–4 (NASB95)

And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed.”

In addition, John sees a number of people who had experienced victory during the time of the beast and his image. They had not given in to worshiping the beast or his image. They had not allowed themselves to receive the mark just so they could take care of feeding themselves and keeping themselves clothed and warm. They had remained true to God. Thus, they were victorious because they placed their faith in the Lord, and not in the beast or the antichrist. Many were probably executed, but they ended up being victorious in Christ.

Though you and I are not going through the tribulation., We need to still be encouraged to remain true to the Lord. We dare not bow to the false god, or the gods of this age. We shall not be tempted to compromise biblical principles, for the sake of getting along with others. We will not misuse Scripture, justifying doing that which the government requires, but which Scripture shows is against God.

We see that these saints were holding harps and singing a song of praise and adoration. We can assume that part of their praise is because those who had persecuted them and had rebelled against Jesus, were about to get their just reward, in God’s terrible wrath and judgment. You see, when God’s children are persecuted and mistreated, it shows the heart condition of those doing it. As a result, this outward act shows their unrepentant hearts, causing their condemnation to hell to be absolutely right and holy. Zechariah 2.8, “For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” In other words, those who mess with God’s people, are essentially poking God in the eye. There will be a terrible price to pay.

In Psalm 22:22, “I will tell of Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.” This is a Messianic Psalm, in which the speaker gives praise to the Lord, as well. Within this song, are several snippets found in various portions of the Bible. I find this encouraging to observe. Sometimes in our own prayer time with God, the most blessed sound is the reciting of scripture back to God.

This song attributes to God that which belongs to Him only. It is a recitation of the character of God. This song praises God for the fact that He is righteous or just, true, and eternal.

Then this song reminds us of our position before God.

Thirdly, this affirms the reality that the only one who is holy, is God himself.

Finally, it recognizes that the world itself will eventually worship God, though it may not think so at this time. No longer can anybody claim to not know of God’s righteous acts. For they will have been revealed.

My friends, we need this reminder in our lives. God is all together, righteous, holy, and true. What God purposes, he will bring it about to completion. Nothing or nobody can stop God. What an encouragement to our hearts these days, when it seems as if the world is in absolute chaos, leaving God looking as if He is totally out of control. Yes, the world is in chaos. However, God is not out of control. Evil may seem to have the upper hand, but the truth is that Christ is victorious.

Again, we realize that as Christians, we must have a sense of urgency in our mission.

One other thing I would like to repeat regarding our worship. Sometimes in our personal times of worship, we find ourselves at a loss as to what to do. I would like to suggest something which is quite refreshing, doesn’t take much creative work, and I believe is pleasing to God. I have alluded to it earlier; read, or recite the Scripture back to the Lord during your prayer and worship time. In addition, you will find yourself keeping in better spiritual shape by using your sword more often.

The Beginning of the End has Wrath.

Revelation 15:5–8 (NASB95)

After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes. Then 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. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

Suddenly, John’s attention is no longer on the redeemed saints and their singing. Here we read that the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened, releasing the seven angels. This again shows that the judgments were directly from God. The angels were robed in purity and righteousness, as seen by the linen and golden sashes.

One of the four living creatures then provided them seven golden bowls. These bowls, which were like shallow saucers, contain God‘s wrath, which will be seen by specific judgments. It will not be poured out gradually, but the saucer (or bowl) will be dumped on them instantly.

Then smoke, which represents the glory and power of the Lord, filled the temple. So intense is it that no one, not even an angel, would be able to interact until after God‘s wrath has been completed in the seven judgments. The fact that judgment is going out is a reminder of who God is and what he can do. if God were not to judge, the world would not truly know of his holiness and power.

I find myself, at times, wishing to enact judgment upon the evil in this world, myself. However, my judgment is flawed and imperfect. My judgment would be against only those things that take place of which I am not guilty. Thus, the only one who is capable of judgment is Christ. Again, I bring you back to the book of Romans 8:34, “who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

So, I keep reminding us of the following necessity. As Christians, we must have a sense of urgency and our mission.

Conclusion

The world has been given ample warnings of God’s impending judgment. The world will not be permitted to continue mocking God, and rejecting the Savior, Jesus Christ.

In addition, you and I must remember that we have an obligation to present Jesus to as many as possible, as often as possible.

Is it really that urgent? You better believe that it is urgent! I love what John MacArthur says regarding this: Once the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus Christ because of what He did for sinners; in the future, wrath will be poured out on sinners because of what they did to Jesus Christ.

To those who do not yet believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, listen to the words of Hebrews 4.7, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.””

It is closer than ever to the beginning of the end. Notice the intensity of Paul’s words to believers in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

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