The Sea of Glass

Today, I wanted to talk to you about the fact that some people will go into the tribulation. Will the Christians go into the tribulation? There are only two possibilities. First, during the dissasters, all of the Christians could be killed so as to be a part of the child that will be caught up to the Throne of God. Second, you are left to go through part of the tribulation. Personally, I believe the second one is true but I hope I am wrong. My thinking is, if I prepare to be a witness during the last days and I am wrong, it is ok. However, I don't prepare to go into the tribulation and we do have to, it could be bad news.
Think about it, God has always used the Jews as examples for us. Sometimes as good examples and sometimes as "don't do what they did". My whole life I struggled with why God allowed 6 million Jews to die in the death camps. Then, it hit me. They are our example of how to go through tribulation even unto death and not deny God. We saw last time that there was a multitude of believers come out of the great tribulation in Revelation 7:14.
Now look at Revelation 15:2"And I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had come off victorious from the beast and from his image and from the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God". We see the "sea of glass" again in Revelation 4:6. If we back up to Revelation 4:1, we see the sound of the trumpet and the shout, "come up here". These events are associated with the time of the sixth trumpet(Rev. 9:13) and the death of the two great witnesses(Rev. 11:12) that we have talked of in earlier blogs. We have also talked about how the sea is the sea of gentiles. Look at Revelation 13:1. And I saw a beast(government system) coming up out of the sea(gentile nations) having ten horns and seven heads, and on his heads were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. And the beast which I saw was like a leopard(Greek empire), and his feet were like those of a bear(Medio-Persian empire), and his mouth like the mouth of a lion(Babylonian empire) . And the dragon gave him power." These are the stages of the "time of the Gentiles" as described in Daniel. They represent the "time of the Gentiles" that we have previously discussed and they come out of the sea of gentiles. The sea is mixed with fire because they have been judged by fire and all of the impurities have been burned off and made pure. If you take sand and put it in the fire, it becomes glass. No impurities, sea of glass, what great symbolism.
So, you see, there is going to be a great multitude who does receive salvation during the tribulation. Do you really think God would not have witnesses to the truth during that time.
What does it take to be saved during that time? If you read Revelation, chaper 2 & 3, you will see a common phrase, "to those who overcome". Overcome what? The answer is in Revelation 14:9. "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Revelation 13:17, "And he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of beast or the number of his name." Daniel 12:12, "How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1335 days". You see, those who go into the tribulation must endure without taking the mark of the beast(which should occur when the child is caught up 75 days into the tribulation) for as long as 1335 days before it is over.
Many will go to their death because they will not take the mark. Can you stand strong and be obedient to Christ and not take the mark? Even if you have to watch them put your family members to death? It would be a great sacrifice and a great witness of your faith that may lead others to Christ. Trust in Him, don't waver, and trust in only the word of God so you can not be deceived.

God bless, Dean