Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
We love and hate cliffhangers, don't we? We immerse ourselves in a popular TV series or film, and at the very height of the conflict, the credits roll, and we are left on the edge of our seats, begging to know what happens next. We know deep down that the hero will emerge victorious, but the mystery of waiting and not knowing is always a challenge.
But what do we do when life gives us a cliffhanger? We walk into the office on Monday morning and hear the news that we've been laid off. We spend months planning a wedding only to be told our future spouse is second-guessing the decision to get married. We go in for a routine exam and find out we have been diagnosed with cancer. Life has a way of leaving us wondering what will happen next. We long for answers, for justice, for resolution. So what do we do?
Revelation 15 shows us an interesting picture of what to do when we are waiting for God to move. As the conflict between the Lamb (Christ) and the dragon (Satan) escalates, we see another cycle of sevens (see: seven letters in chap 2–3, seven seals in chap 5:1–8:1, seven in trumpets chap 8:2–11:19). This time the sevens are depicted as bowls filled with the plagues of the wrath of God that is about to be poured out on His enemies. These plagues "are the last" (v. 1) and represent the climactic conclusion to the war against the Lamb and His people (the Church). God is about to act fully and finally and bring this war to an end as He executes His justice in the world. The people of God here are described as "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" (15:2). In other words, the people of God are about to worship and sing the song of Moses (15:3).
Two things are worth noting here.
First, the song of Moses is significant. This song comes from Exodus 15, where the people of Israel sang after God delivered them from slavery in Egypt. This song is now fulfilled since it is coupled with "the song of the Lamb" (15:3). The Lamb, Jesus Christ, has offered Himself for us and delivered us from slavery to sin and death. He is our true exodus and true rescue from sin.
Second, the ordering of this song is significant. They sing it before God executes His justice, not after. They praise God for what He is going to do, as if He has already done it. They know His ways are "just and true" (15:3). They know Him to be "great and amazing" in deeds (15:3). Therefore, they sing before He works and moves to bring forth His will on the earth.
What if we took these two realities into the darkness and confusion we often face? The Lamb was slain for you. You are forgiven, righteous, and fully accepted before God. Therefore, you can sing of the awesome deeds of God before He moves and brings about what He has next for you. Let these truths sink in deep today.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God's Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today's passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
Be Generous 2025
On Be Generous Sunday, November 30th, through Tuesday, December 2nd, 100% of all financial gifts will go toward funding three special projects to ignite ministry and lead more people to know, love, and follow Jesus! For more information, visit venturechurch.org/begenerous.