Today’s reading is Revelation 15.
A Song Beside the SEa
Perhaps we can be forgiven for assuming the glassy sea mixed with fire was a large body of water. After all, in Revelation 15:1, we read about plagues. Then in Revelation 15:3, we discover the victorious redeemed are singing the song of Moses. This sounds precisely like what happened in Exodus 15 following the victory of God’s people at the Red Sea.
No doubt, John’s original audience was supposed to recall that event. Clearly, there are verbal connections even if the seas are different. The original audience was to remember a time when God’s people had been enslaved. It was to remember a time when God delivered His people through the power of plagues. It was to remember a time when God’s people were tested and refined beside a sea. And it was to remember the song that memorialized the victory of God.
When the beast had risen from the sea on Revelation 13, the worshipers of the dragon and the beast asked, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” (Revelation 13:4, ESV). In the song of Moses beside the sea, they answered, “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them” (ESV).
That song of Moses ends with praise essentially mirrored by the picture we find in Revelation 15:
You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever (Exodus 15:17-18, ESV).
This reference back to the incredible deliverance from and victory over Egypt, would be a powerful reminder for those who needed to hold fast to do so. If they wanted to be planted on Mt. Zion, singing at the Lord’s sanctuary, dwelling in the Lord’s house, they needed to hang on. Victory is on its way!
Another Song of Moses
However, there was another song of Moses. Listen to some of its early lines and compare to the song found in Revelation 15:3-4.
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he (Deuteronomy 32:3-4, ESV).
When we remember this song of Moses, which the early readers would surely have recalled just by mentioning “the song of Moses,” but then especially by these verbal connections, we uncover another powerful message. Moses’s song in Deuteronomy 32 was a song of warning. In Deuteronomy 32:46, Moses said to Israel, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law” (ESV). This is the same sentiment we find in Revelation 22:18-19.
In Moses’s song, Israel was warned against turning to idols, following strange gods, sacrificing to demons, compromising with the nations. If Israel fell to these sins, they would face plagues and pestilence. God would even send the teeth of beasts against them.
In Moses’s song, God had the people sing, “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me” (Deuteronomy 32:39, ESV). In the song on Mt. Zion, they sing, “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy” (Revelation 15:4, ESV).
Remember, the apocalypse is a letter written to the seven churches of Asia. Five of them were called to repent. Why? Because they were compromising with their cities and their cities’ idols. When the apocalypse was read among the churches, they would read/sing this song of Moses and the Lamb. They would be warned as Moses warned Israel so much earlier. Don’t compromise! If you have, Repent!
Both Songs at Once
The amazing kaleidoscope that is Revelation brings both these ancient songs of Moses to our minds at once. The Revelation 14 song is double-edged sword, if you will. With the one side, it cuts away at the enemies of God and His sealed people. It provides comfort for the redeemed of the earth as they endure testing, knowing the sword of the Lord’s mouth will cut off the enemies and leave the faithful victorious.
However, it cuts God’s fallen, unfaithful, rebellious people who follow false prophets and prophetesses, eating the sacrifices given to demons, sleeping in the idols’ temples, following the king of the cities. Though they “go to church” every week, the Lord knows those who are really His and those who have donned the seal of the false prophet. He will cut away those who try to keep one foot in the temple, but another out in the city.
That was true in the first century. It is true today. Let us bring both feet solidly into the temple of the Lord. Though we are tested by fire, let us remain steadfast and gain the crown of life God has promised to those who love Him.
Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 15.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Revelation 15 admonish you?
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