The message was brought by Bro Gary Roweltte.
Revelation 15:5And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 6And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 7And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
We can’t imagine a day without the mercy of God. We’ve always known it. Back in Noah’s day, the mercy ran out. He preached 120 years. While he did, the door on the ark was open. Many probably thought he was just a crazy man, but that if he was right they’d just go in the door and be safe. However, we all know from the Bible that God shut that door and no one could get in.
In Lamentations 3:22 Jeremiah said “it is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Every morning we get up we see new mercies from the Lord. In Titus 3 Paul lists seven things about us. He said “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” This is what we were. He goes on to say “but after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” God showed us nothing but mercy when he saved us.
So how could this God be an unmerciful God? Many today won’t accept there is a side to God like this, but the Bible tells us there is. The prophets of the Old Testament said it would be a dark day. Malachi said the earth would burn like an oven. Here in Revelation 15 John begins the chapter with the conjunction “and” letting us know he is continuing what he started in chapter 3. John had been in many positions. Now he’s looking into heaven. He calls what he sees “great and marvelous” meaning it is fearful and to be reverenced. Seven angels hold the last seven plagues. They have specific jobs. We know from the Bible that there are many angels. We can entertain them unaware in someone we consider a stranger. They are our guardians. The Bible says they are ministering spirits. When we got saved we received the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Along with that came the ministering of the angels. The Lord means for us to make it through.
These angels held the wrath of God. While much of the world isn’t aware of this facet of God or won’t accept it, this will take place. People laugh at talk of a time without mercy. How can a God who provides new mercies every morning go against himself? The Bible says God is angry with the wicked every day. He loves the sinner, but God hates sin. John the Baptist asked the people who had warned them to flee from the wrath of God. Old-time preachers will still tell you there is a hell to shun.
One day God will shut the door of mercy. We will be with the Lord. John saw it like this. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” He saw those who overcame and won the victory standing at the crystal sea at the throne of God. We can overcome. We don’t have to bow to Satan. Those three Hebrew children didn’t bow. They had a God and didn’t need another.
Verse 3 says “and they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” Remember the story of the children of Israel at the Red Sea. There were probably 3 million of them. The sea was big and deep. The enemy was closing in on them. What were they to do? How could they escape? God parted the waters and they went across on dry ground. Then the Lord drowned their enemy in the water. On the other side, Miriam led the victory song. Ours is a song of victory. We will overcome!
In verse 5, John said “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” Mercy was opened up. The most beautiful portrait of love is found at Calvary. The most horrid portrait of sin is found in that same place. Mercy overcame. Verse 8 says that God will engulf himself in himself. In order for God to end mercy, he’ll do what he did at Calvary to bring it. He looked away. Jesus cried asking God why had he forsaken him. God couldn’t look upon the sin that his son bore. When he closes the door on mercy, he’ll look away again.
Are you saved? This day will come. The mercy door will close. It’s time to get ready today.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 