As we have seen in other articles in this issue of “The Christian,” the word “sea” can have different meanings in the Word of God: Sometimes the meaning is literal, and at other times symbolical. In Revelation, however, we have twice over an unusual expression: a sea of glass. We read in Revelation 4:66And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (Revelation 4:6) that “before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal.” The throne referred to is doubtless the throne on which our Lord Jesus sits in a coming day, but it is surrounded by “twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones twenty-four elders sitting, clothed with white garments” (vs. 4 JND). Then, in Revelation 15:2,2And 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. (Revelation 15:2) we have another reference to a sea of glass: “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.” What does all this mean, and in particular, what is meant by a sea of glass?
Two Groups
It is clear that two different groups of people are in view here, and at different times, yet both associated with a sea of glass. The first group are called elders, and they are mentioned early in the book of Revelation. It is generally accepted that they represent the heavenly saints who are caught up when the Lord comes back to take us home to Himself — all those who have died in Christ, both before and after the cross of Christ, as well as those who are alive at His coming and caught up without going through death. The imagery is that of the Levitical priesthood, which was divided by David into 24 courses. Now those saints have been called up to heaven at the Lord’s coming for them, and they are seated on thrones around the One who loved and died for them. They are associated with Him and are preparing to reign with Him.
The other group comes later, for they have “gotten the victory over the beast” — the leader who comes to the fore during the tribulation period. He is an appallingly evil man, who, along with the antichrist, brings the world to the height of diabolical wickedness and who brings about idolatry such as has never been seen before. Any who are faithful to the Lord will suffer greatly under him, for it is “the dragon” (Satan) who gives him his power. He also “opened his mouth in blasphemy against God” (see Rev. 13:4-64And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:4‑6)). Any who wish to honor God during that time will endure terrible persecution under him, but it will be a special trial for the godly remnant among the Jews.
The Washing of Water
The sea of glass would seem to refer to another Old Testament feature — the molten sea situated outside Solomon’s temple, in which the priests washed their hands and feet before entering the temple. This corresponds to the laver, which stood before the tabernacle. Both give us in picture the feet washing the Lord instituted with His disciples in John 13 and which is referred to in Ephesians 5:2626That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26) — “the washing of water by the word.”
This continual moral washing and self-judgment were necessary for the saints during their wilderness journey, as they came into contact with a sinful world, but all that is past now. They have been taken up at the rapture to be with the Lord forever. The sea of glass is described as “like unto crystal,” perhaps emphasizing the perfection of holiness and purity that now characterizes the heavenly saints. Washing is no longer needed; their purity, pictured in the glass, is fixed forever. How precious this is!
The Martyrs in Heaven
However, in Revelation 15, we see saints from a later date. They too are in heaven, and this time they “stand on the sea of glass.” More than this, the sea of glass is “mingled with fire.” They have gotten the victory over the beast, for they would not worship his image or receive his mark. As a result, they were martyred, and although not part of the church or those caught up at the rapture, they share the kingdom on the heavenly side. The fire mingled with the sea of glass brings before us the awful tribulation through which they have passed, but they are victorious. They have escaped the wrath of the beast, just as Israel escaped the wrath of Pharaoh by passing through the Red Sea. Thus it is appropriate that they sing the “song of Moses” (vs. 3), for it was then, and is now, the song of victory, but it is also the song of the Lamb. The company being a godly remnant in the middle of apostate Israel, they do not have the spiritual intelligence of the church. However, they do recognize the Lamb as the One for whom they have suffered. It is interesting that the song of Moses in Exodus 15 is the first mention of singing in the Bible, while that recorded here in Revelation 15 is the last mention of singing in the Bible.
The purity of this company is now fixed as well, for they are in heaven, where no sin can ever enter. However, the words “like unto crystal” are omitted here; rather, the fire through which they have passed is emphasized. Their purity cannot be any less than perfect, but the Spirit of God chooses to emphasize their tribulation experience rather than their purity.
How it should thrill our hearts to realize that in that future day (perhaps very soon!), we shall be in a place where sin can never come, where our old, sinful flesh is gone forever, and where Christ fills the whole happy scene! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
W. J. Prost