Today’s reading is Revelation 15.
The Glassy Sea
If we aren’t careful, we will get a wrong picture in our head when John talks about “a sea of glass mingled with fire.” We may picture the victorious redeemed standing beside the sea of Galilee or the shores of the Mediterranean. We may picture them standing beside the same place the dragon did in Revelation 12:17 witnessing the beast rising up (or where John stood, depending on the translation).
However, calling this the “sea of glass” or “crystal sea” or “glassy sea” should take us back. We’ve seen that before in John’s apocalypse. In Revelation 4:6, on the mountain of God’s heavenly temple, the Father was on His throne, the seven Spirits of God were before the throne, and also “there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal” (ESV). We didn’t comment on this at the time. However, that glassy sea is not a large body of water before the throne of God.
Rather, in this picture of God’s heavenly throne room, we see the heavenly version of the tabernacle’s bronze basin or bronze laver. In Exodus 30:17-21, the Lord told Moses to have a basin of bronze made to be placed between the tent of meeting and the altar. The priests would use it to wash their hands and feet before they entered the tent of meeting or before they sacrificed on the altar. It was a serious matter. If they didn’t wash properly, they would die. Washing in the basin prepared them to serve in the Lord’s sanctuary.
The glassy sea is the heavenly reality behind that basin of cleansing.
I Promise, I’m not Making this Up
I know what you’re thinking: “That seems to be a bit of stretch, Edwin. Now you’re just making stuff up.” However, it all becomes clear when we read about Solomon building the temple.
In both 1 Kings 7:23-26 and 2 Chronicles 4:2-6, we learn the “basin” in Solomon’s temple was called “the sea of cast metal.” It was ten cubits in diameter and five cubits deep. It held an incredible amount of water. The priests were to wash in it.
In Revelation 4:6 and then in Revelation 15:2, when John sees the “sea of glass,” he is not seeing a large body of water on which boats could sail. He is seeing the heavenly version of the basin or sea used to cleanse priests so they could minister in the tabernacle/temple. Remember, the 144,000 are standing on Mt. Zion (Revelation 14:1), God’s holy mountain. They are standing where the sanctuary of the Lord resides. They are standing beside the cleansing waters of the sea between the throne of God and the altar of sacrifice.
Mixed with Fire
This time, however, the sea of glass is mixed with fire. Think about that for a moment. The sea or basin was placed in the earthly tabernacle and temple in order to provide cleansing and washing for the priests. That is, this was the place the one who had the seal of the Lord, the golden nameplate proclaiming “Holy to the Lord,” would wash to serve the Lord.
This sea of glass mixed with fire is not the lake of fire and brimstone. But we are certainly surprised to see the cleansing, washbasin of a sea mixed with fire. However, we recall Jesus Himself said “Everyone will be salted with fire” (Mark 9:49). In that context, some would, no doubt, be salted as they were thrown into the unquenchable fire. But not everyone would be salted in that fire. Here we see the salting of fire on the victorious.
We also recall Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, in which he wrote, “each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (ESV). That is, everyone will go through (even if only metaphorically speaking) fire.
Peter presents a picture of Christians going through fire in 1 Peter 1:3-9. In the midst of this picture he wrote: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (ESV). The trials the saints endure are a testing by fire.
Finally, in Revelation 3:18, Jesus counseled the Laodiceans to “buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich” (ESV), in contrast to the earthly riches with which they were satisfied and in which they were taking comfort. Often, throughout Revelation, fire is the instrument of judgment and punishment. But here it is the instrument of cleansing, refining, preparing. While Jesus speaks of them buying gold refined by fire, the point is the Laodiceans need to be refined.
Washed and Refined
Those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name stood beside that sea mingled with fire. They were those who have been washed in the water and refined by the fire. They have gone through a great testing (see Revelation 2:10). Their faith has been tested as if by fire. They have faced the battle with the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, and they have won.
They have washed through the water and walked through the fire. They have come out on the other side victorious, washed, refined, prepared to serve in the Lord’s temple day and night. There they sing. There they minister. There they glorify God.
A Message for us
We love being washed by water. Refined by fire on the other hand…
Yet, we need the fire and the water. The trials grow us, improve us, mature us, perfect us. Therefore, we count the fire all joy. Even Jesus, following His baptism, was driven into the wilderness to be tried and tested by Satan. Let us follow in His footsteps and look forward to the eternity we will have being a praise and glory to God.
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 15.
PODCAST!!!
PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Revelation 15 prompt or improve your praise of God?
Read the Bible 