A sea of glass mingled with fire

Revelation 15:2

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Here we have pictured for us one of the most suggestive and provocative of ideas. It suggests the great truths of life in striking terms. It provokes us to think of the life principles contained in its beauty. We see in this vision the saints of God standing before God. Chapter 4 of Revelation has already introduced us to the glassy sea that is before God’s beautifully iridescent throne. There the sea is clear as crystal. It has no blemish, no rift, no perturbation. Just a placid and serene sea of glass. But here, in our passage today, the sea of glass is mingled with fire. Is it the same sea of glass? We cannot be sure beyond doubt if it is the same one or a different one. However, we do know that those standing on this sea of glass are those who had gotten the victory over the beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name. They may have come out of great tribulation. And as they stand on this sea of glass mingled with fire, they have in their hands the harps of God. What beautiful hymns they must be singing! What tremendous laudation they must be giving to Him! What sweet incense must be coming up before the throne of God, and before the presence of the Lamb!

But here we have a great allegory. A sea of glass mingled with fire! The fire of tribulation! These wondrous saints could not stand on this sea of glass unless they had first been refined by the fire of trials and tribulation. And this is ever true for every age, epoch, and era. The fire precedes the sea of glass. We do not attain the sea of glass without the fire first. This refined, crystal clear, glistening sea is not obtained by ease, but it is obtained by sorrow and strain and pain. It is a mingling of toil with peace and rest. It is a mixture of sorrow and everlasting joy! It is a mingling of glass and fire! What a mixture this is! And the fire, my friend, makes the glass all the clearer and purer.

Now, my dear friend, we all want the sea of glass, but do not want the fire. Maybe you are in the fire. You are in the fire so that one day you may stand on the sea of glass with the harp of God in your hand. You are enduring the fire that one day you may enjoy the peace and rest of the eternal home above. The greater the fire, the greater will be the peace and joy. And let us consider one final thought. Are not all things this way? Is not earthly joy attained through sacrifice? Is not peaceful moments earned through struggle and pain. Does not hurt and sorrow bring us to a purer, fairer, and clearer plain. Let us go through the fire with patience, for on the other side is a sea of glass. There is peace and rest awaiting. But we get there through the fires of trial. Peter tells us not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try us, as though some strange thing happened to us: but rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy.” See 1 Peter 4:12-13. The fiery trial leads to joy. The fire of trials leads upward to the golden joy and heavenly peace of the sea of glass. Beloved, find hope in this truth today!

“Father, help us this day to remember these truths. We thank you that the fiery trial is but for a moment. We thank you for this hope that one day we will live forever in the peace and joy of your presence. We thank you that what we go through now is only a foreshadow of the wondrous joy we shall have with you. May we gain the victory so that one day we may stand upon this great sea of glass harping on our harps in praise to your name. Guide us through the fire, until we get to the other side, and stand on the sea of glass. We trust that you will help us this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”