The Glory of God
“ 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.” (Revelation 15:5-8).
The Apostle John continues in this vision, in which he saw the temple in Heaven, where the view of the tabernacle of the law, also known as the Most Holy Place, was opened. Why is this important? The ark of the covenant, a gold-plated wooden chest built by the Israelites in the desert, was made under Moses’ leadership to house the Ten Commandments written on two tablets of stone. The ark of the covenant was placed in the portable tabernacle and later in the Most Holy Place within the sanctuary, also known as the Holy of Holies. The Bible says: “The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles. These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today. There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt: (1 Kings 8:6-9). These are the laws that man was to follow as a guideline for righteous living. Even though we cannot be saved by observance alone, the laws of God are to serve as a GPS for righteous living in our hearts and minds. The Bible says: “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33). Unfortunately, man has failed to keep God’s decrees, and therefore, the punishments for the wicked to come within this vision symbolize God’s holiness and righteous judgments coming forth from His eternal Law.
The Ten Commandments are:
I.) You shall have no other gods before Me. Prohibits the worship of any other gods or placing anyone or anything above God. The Bible says: “For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).
II.) You shall not make idols. Forbids creating, establishing, or worshiping physical images, symbols of God, or placing anyone or anything above God. The Bible says: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." Paul warns believers to completely distance themselves from the worship of false gods” (1 Corinthians 10:14).
III.) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. One should use God's name with the utmost reverence, for His name is not to be used casually, as a swear word, or in any other manner that disrespects who He is. Believers must also be careful of associating deceptive teachings of demons with the Lord’s name, passing false prophecies as genuine words from the Lord, hypocritical living, and using God’s name and spiritual gifts for personal gain. The Bible says: “You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:21-24).
IV.) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. This commandment is the only one that designates a mandated day of rest for man and a special reminder of observance for God. Furthermore, when we enter God’s rest, we know that we are unable to perfectly keep God’s law; yet we can then enter His rest of grace without taking advantage of it. The Bible says: “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience” (Romans 4:9-10).
V.) Honor your father and your mother. This commandment comes with a promise that those who honor and respect their parents will have a long life, for this is pleasing unto the Lord. The Bible says: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
VI.) You shall not murder. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, murder involves the intentional and unlawful killing of one human being by another. This means the offender acted with a calculated plan or with such a reckless disregard for human life to cause death. This also means destroying someone with one’s tongue, causing death to their character, reputation, or mental health. This goes against God’s law. The Bible says: “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him” (1 John 3:15).
VII.) You shall not commit adultery. Adultery is having sexual relations with someone other than one’s spouse. This includes fornication, as one is having sexual relations with a person they are not married to, or even the thought of committing such an act. The Bible says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).
VIII.) You shall not steal. This act involves taking something or someone without the owner's express consent or legal right when it does not belong to the perpetrator. The Bible says: “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler” (1 Peter 4:15).
IX.) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. This prohibits one from lying, committing perjury, or deliberately making a false statement against someone or about something to intentionally deceive another party. The Bible says: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25).
X.) You shall not covet. This commandment forbids the jealous desire for what belongs to others. God does not want us to be in a state of discontent, always desiring more or what others have. While there is nothing wrong with pursuing or acquiring education, jobs, material possessions, and more, He wants us to be grateful for what He continuously blesses us with, for He alone supplies our needs, but never our greeds. The Bible says: “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Continuing
with John’s vision, the seven angels with the seven plagues came out of the
temple. They were dressed in clean robes with gold sashes around their chest.
These angels were dressed in righteousness and the glory of God. Unlike the
fallen ones, they were the obedient messengers of God who had been dispatched
to be His administrators of judgment. Because God is perfect, pure, and holy, sin
and wickedness cannot enter into His presence. No one can stand before an
upright and righteous God embraced with sin. The Bible says: “Lord, are
you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Lord,
have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them
to punish.
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” (Habakkuk 1:12-13a).
One of the four living creatures gave the angels seven bowls filled with God’s wrath. Remember from previous lessons that these four living creatures embody the characteristics of Christ by having the face of a man, eagle, lion, and ox. One of them was tasked with giving the seven bowls to the seven angels who would carry out the judgments filled with God’s wrath that would be poured out on the earth because of man’s wickedness.
The temple was filled with the glory of God, and no one could go inside the temple until the plagues were complete. God is allowing time for all to be saved. This is why it is of great urgency that we bear witness to the lost so they may be saved through the grace and mercy of God. He does not wish for anyone to be lost but for all to come to repentance. Unfortunately, many think they will be able to go to Heaven in their sinful state, and nothing could be further from the truth. There is judgment coming to the entire world. The world will witness the wrath of God like never before. God’s temple will remain empty during this time until the plagues are complete. Then, God will come back to take His children home. The Bible says: “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath” (Romans 2:5-8). This is why we want to be on the side of righteousness so that we may live forever with our Lord and Savior.
HOMEWORK: Read Revelation 16:1-2. Then write a brief description giving details about a disease that can cause one to break out in sores. This will coincide with the next Bible Study which will be the first Friday in June.
