Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven. There were seven angels with seven plagues—and these are the last, for with them God’s anger is brought to an end. 2 Then I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire. Those who gained victory over the beast, its image, and the number of its name were standing by the glass sea, holding harps from God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, God’s servant, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, king of the nations. 4 Who won’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? You alone are holy. All nations will come and fall down in worship before you, for your acts of justice have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:1-4, CEB)
The imagery in Revelation is filled with awe-inspiring beauty and some of the scariest stuff I’ve read. Ok maybe Hollywood has gotten scarier, but the beuaty of the imagery of the Bible is moving. A sea of glass mixed with fire, can’t you see it? And you image will be different than mine, but that is the beauty of written descriptions. We told our oldest daughter that her imagination was way better than Hollywood when she wanted to watch the Harry Potter movies, and she said while watching one, that isn’t how that looks. We get an image in our minds of what it is and how it should appear, and John paints a picture for us that can not be more beautiful. The only thing more beautiful is creation itself.
And even in the wrath that is to come from the 7 plaques, there is beauty in the sea and the surroundings and the songs!. God is always with us through the wrath and gives us a glimpse of beauty.
