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God's Sea of Glass (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn stark contrast to the chaotic and destructive nature of the earthly sea, the sea of glass before God's throne embodies a profound stillness and purity. This sea, positioned in front of His throne, mirrors the holiness, glory, and eternal nature of His sovereign rule. Unlike the turbulent waves of earthly waters, the sea of glass is perfectly flat and smooth, symbolizing calm order and peace in the heavenly realm. It reflects a fixed state of holiness, both inward and outward, with its crystal-clear appearance showcasing the splendor and beauty of the divine scene spread out before the throne. The sea of glass, described as both glass and crystal, represents a stationary peace and calmness, distinct from the disturbed earthly seas. This eternal peace, crystallized into inherent sparkle, stands as a testament to the absence of evil and chaos in heaven. Wherever God's throne resides, the sea of glass accompanies it, serving as a constant symbol of His holy excellence. For the saints and the resurrected, including the great multitude and the 144,000, the opportunity to stand or kneel on this sea before His throne marks a culmination of spiritual cleansing and preparation, reflecting the ultimate purity required to be in His presence.
Standing on the Sea of Glass
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Sea of Glass before God's throne stands in stark contrast to the chaos and unrest of the earthly sea, representing calm, order, and peace. It is a spiritual sea, a crystal-clear expanse that reflects God's holiness, purity, and eternal peace, unlike the turbulent earthly waters that symbolize defiance and rebellion. In Solomon's Temple, the bronze sea, a large basin holding vast amounts of water, mirrors the Sea of Glass, symbolizing chaos subdued and brought to order by the Lord, the Creator. This bronze sea, with its flickering reflections of light resembling fire, parallels the Sea of Glass mingled with fire, as described in visions of heaven, where the fiery appearance signifies God's justice and righteous indignation alongside His holiness. Visions in Scripture reveal the Sea of Glass as a magnificent foundation before God's throne, duplicating the glory of the throne itself through its mirror-like quality, showcasing righteousness and justice as the foundation of His rule. It expresses smoothness and an eternal peace, absent of the disturbances found in earthly seas, symbolizing the absence of evil and chaos in heaven. The Sea of Glass is an emblem of vast dominion, omniscience, righteousness, and justice, emphasizing the eternal quality of God's throne. In these visions, victorious martyrs stand on the Sea of Glass, holding harps and singing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb, celebrating spiritual victory over the forces of chaos and evil. This scene, set before the bowl judgments, reflects a moment of worship and triumph amidst the dynamic splendor of God's throne, where the Sea of Glass, intermingled with fire, captures both the calmness of divine peace and the impending judgment of God. If faithful to the spiritual marriage covenant, we may be taken to the Sea of Glass before God's throne for the marriage supper of the Bridegroom, the Son of God, to His bride and church, bowing before Him in worship and song, surrounded by His purity and clarity.
God's Sea of Glass (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe sea of glass before God's throne reflects and symbolizes His holiness, purity, peace, calmness, cleanness, and clarity. It is described as a clear pavement under the feet of the God of Israel, seen by Moses, Aaron, his sons, and seventy elders on Mount Sinai, indicating a vision of God's glory, though not in His fullest essence. In visions of heaven, as in Revelation 4:6 and 15:2, the sea of glass appears like crystal, pure and translucent, and is mingled with fire, suggesting a dynamic blend of justice, holiness, and righteous indignation. Those who achieve spiritual victory over the beast will stand on the sea of glass, alongside God's throne and temple, joining victorious martyrs who hold harps and sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. This scene precedes the outpouring of the seven last plagues, with the sea reflecting God's fathomless purposes of righteousness and love, sometimes glowing with holy anger represented by flames. The fire mingled with the sea also signifies impending judgment, cleansing, refining, and protection for God's people, mirrored by the fiery appearance of angels, the throne, and other heavenly elements. To stand on the sea of glass before God's throne requires righteousness and right living, empowered by the Holy Spirit to develop a righteous life through obedience to God's commandments. This opportunity is a gift, not earned, yet demands faithful adherence to God's law on a spiritual level under the New Covenant. Upon resurrection, the faithful will be brought to the sea of glass to worship before God's throne, marking a profound moment of meeting Christ in the air and standing in His presence. In contrast to the earthly sea, which symbolizes chaos and the destructive nature of sin, the sea of glass embodies eternal peace and the finality of God's judgment and mercy. After the Great White Throne Judgment, there will be no more earthly sea, indicating a spiritual transformation where physical constraints cease, and God's creation shifts to a new heaven and new earth. The sea of glass remains a powerful image of God's demand for righteous living, promising eternal life and peace to the righteous who stand before His glorious throne.
God is Still on His Throne!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Sea of Glass lies before the throne of God as a massive foundation like crystal, adding to the magnificence of the heavenly scene. It depicts a fixed state of holiness both inward and outward, its purity mirroring the holy excellence of the God of the universe and His throne. Its mirror-like quality symbolizes that in the sight of God all is revealed, while its crystal appearance conveys the splendor and beauty of holiness spread out before the throne. The Sea of Glass serves as an emblem of peace, a vast dominion, omniscience, righteousness, and justice, and it emphasizes the throne's eternal quality and endlessness. By the time of the Millennium the resurrected saints will appear before the throne of God on the Sea of Glass, where they stand or kneel, though their initial reaction will be to prostrate themselves before the glory of God. It is plausible that the receiving of new names occurs on the Sea of Glass before God's throne, and tremendously exciting worship and ceremonies, including a marriage ceremony, will take place there. This location connects directly to the broader message of the saints' preparation through cleansing and sanctification, their victory over sin and human nature, and the awe-inspiring power and majesty surrounding the throne where God and Christ receive ceaseless praise from living creatures, elders, and all creation.
God Is Still on His Throne
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Sea of Glass appears before the throne of God as a massive foundation like crystal, forming part of the heavenly scene revealed in the apostle John's vision. This element adds to the overall magnificence by depicting a fixed state of holiness both inward and outward, with its purity mirroring the holy excellence of God and His throne. Its mirror-like quality symbolizes that all things stand revealed before Him, while the crystal appearance conveys the splendor and beauty of holiness spread out in His presence. The Sea of Glass serves as an emblem of peace, vast dominion, omniscience, righteousness, and justice, underscoring the throne's eternal quality and endlessness. All resurrected saints, the firstfruits of the Kingdom, will appear before the throne on this Sea of Glass following their resurrection. Their initial reaction will be to prostrate themselves in reverential fear, glory, honor, and adoration, after which God lifts them to kneel or stand as they receive their reward. It is plausible that the saints receive their new names—the name of the Father, the name of the New Jerusalem, and Christ's new name—while on the Sea of Glass. Tremendously exciting worship and ceremonies, including a marriage ceremony, will occur there before God's throne. This portrayal of the Sea of Glass emerges within broader descriptions of the throne's power, energy, and attending beings, drawn from parallel visions given to Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These accounts emphasize the overwhelming glory that causes human observers to fall on their faces, the ceaseless praise offered by living creatures and elders, and the requirement of spiritual cleanliness and holiness for those who approach God. The saints' future appearance on the Sea of Glass thus connects directly to the call for God's people to be cleansed inwardly and outwardly, to produce good fruit, and to live so that every action glorifies Him in preparation for standing in His presence.
God's Throne
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe sea of glass appears in the heavenly throne room as a vast, transparent surface set before the throne, resembling crystal in its perfect clarity and stillness. This crystalline expanse forms part of an environment of heightened otherness that underscores the preeminence of the One who sits above it. The description emphasizes that no earthly material fully captures its purity or scale, requiring comparisons to the stillest, clearest body of water imaginable, one so flawless that its depths would be visible from above. Positioned against the backdrop of stars and galaxies, the sea contributes to the overall impression of splendor and majesty that exceeds human categories of wealth or craftsmanship. It serves as the setting for the ceaseless worship offered by the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures, whose prostrations and declarations of holiness highlight the sovereign power and worthiness of God. In this way the sea of glass reinforces the contrast between the limited glory of human thrones and the incomparable reality of divine rule, directing attention to the eternal faithfulness required of those called to share in that reign.
The Song of Moses
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we are changed into spirit beings, we, as the first fruits, will again be involved in making music, singing a new song before the throne of God.
A Beast on the Horizon
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaKarl Theodore zu Guttenberg seems to be preparing to be a Fuhrer of Europe with just as much alacrity as some formerly attributed to Franz Josef Strauss.