The Seven Bowls Part 2

REVELATION 15 v 5-8

How seriously do we take the power of God and the need to glorify Him?

The scripture opens by referring back to Exodus where they had the Tabernacle a Hebrew word meaning the Tent of Meeting. In Exodus they put the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle; the ark was a symbol of God's presence with the people. The angels that are the within the Tabernacle in Revelation are dressed in clean, shining white linen and a golden sash. This is very symbolic because the High Priests would where this attire, to show they were free from impurity, corruption and injustice. The Tabernacle is mainly described in Exodus 25.

The angels were working for God and they were dressed in such a way to show the purity of themselves and to glorify God as making them pure. Revelation 5 v 10 - "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." We have been made part of the priesthood of God and he wants to serve as priest for Him ministering to others. The key factor is that God has made us pure by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. As a priest God's power and presence is visible in our lives because the Holy Spirit is living in us. Are you ready for God's power to work in you and then through you?

The smoke symbolises God's presence in the tabernacle. Which explains something, the churches which have smoke machines most have God's presence there because there is always smoke - JOKING! In the desert the Israelites followed a pillar of smoke which represented God's presence, Exodus 13 v 21-22 - "²¹ By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. ²² Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." This gave the Israelites a clear visible sign of God and this helped them to stay focused on God for a while. Do we need a pillar of cloud to remind us to follow God? How strong is our faith to follow?

God's judgment is a reality and that is what is in the seven bowls the seven angels are holding. God is the true and just judge. God is pouring out judgement onto the world. God's promise is that He will save those who believe in Him.

The power of God is in His judgement but it is also in His healing.

Our lives should glorify God and show His power at work in us.

Does your life glorify God?