REVELATION 15Revelation of Jesus | Revelation of JohnT: REVELATION 15:1-815:1 THE DOUBLE INCLUSIOTHE WRATH OF GODWHY WRATH?WRATH BRINGS SIN TO AN END15:2-4 THE SONG OF VICTORYWHAT IS FALSE WORSHIP?WHAT TRUE WORSHIP IS AND IS NOTWORSHIP LIKE THEY HAVE IN HEAVEN15:5 THE TABERNACLE OF THE TESTIMONYWHY EMPHASIZE THE LAW?15:5-8 THE CLOSE OF PROBATION

WHY EMPHASIZE THE LAW?

The Book of Revelation has such a focus on the law because the theme of Revelation is the great controversy between God and Satan. A main point of Satan’s original challenge was that the law of God is unnecessary and restrictive.[1] This is why he is called “the lawless one” [2] and this is why he has worked fiendishly from the beginning of time to get people to break God’s law. But hypocrite that he is, his true aim is to set up his own law—the beast, carrying out Satan’s agenda, seeks to change God’s law, and makes his law a legal requirement to obey or be killed. Satan’s goal from the beginning was to take God’s place and receive the worship and obedience that only God deserves.

There is no question that the law can never save anyone, nor can it change us, make us holy or make us acceptable to God. Those who attempt to gain favor with God by keeping the commandments have not understood the Gospel and are legalists, not Christians. The apostle Paul said, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh…If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5: 16, 18). But it is equally clear that the law must be included with the Gospel. Sinners are sinners because they have broken the law of God. The sacrifice of Christ is necessary because we have not obeyed God’s law. The dramatic and sickening increase of sin both in the world and in the Church shows that Satan’s lawless agenda has conquered the world. Paul said, “We know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless” (1 Timothy 1:9).

Unfortunately, even in the church there are lawless, unconverted people, as well as people who have been tempted and fallen into sin and others who have unconsciously wandered away from Jesus. For this reason the law is essential. “By the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). “The law was our tutor, to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). As long as there is sin in the world and in the church and people who wander away from Christ, the law must be presented along with grace, faith and the gospel. One of the great deceptions of the last days is that the law has been done away with. In the new covenant the Spirit writes the law in our hearts, and in carrying out the will of God we are simply carrying out our own desires.

In the very heart of the Book of Revelation God confronts this deception: “Here are they who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:11). This message is needed now more than ever before— “It is time for you to act, O Lord, for they have regarded your law as void” (Psalms 119:126). The open "temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven" directs attention to the neglected commandments of God.

Continue to next section: 15:5-8 THE CLOSE OF PROBATION



[1] The first temptation in the Garden of Eden basically said that it was not necessary or even desirable to obey God’s law.

[2] 2 Thessalonians 2: 3-12, 1 John 3: 4-8