Sea of Glass
(Sermon Notes) By Warren Zehrung 7/24/2021
As this hot summer draws on, we find our thoughts turning to a cooler time of the year, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the great fall harvest associated with the greater resurrection to come. However, there are many things that will take place in the Plan of God before that day arrives.
To put things into their proper perspective, I suppose we should begin looking at God’s Plan back at Passover. In the first month, Passover, was the time God began drawing a people out of Egypt unto Himself. The Israelites left in such haste that their bread did not have time to puff-up – giving rise to the Days of Unleavened Bread.
1Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the Unleavened Bread of sincerity and truth. [Jesus Christ]
The Israelites journeyed for about two months and God gave them His Law and 10 Commandments at the time of Pentecost. God recorded the giving of the Law, and the first covenant wedding with Israel as being typical of the soon-to-be-fulfilled New Covenant wedding supper with the resurrected Israel of God.
Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
This Pentecost event holds great prophetic significance for the people of God. The Past gives us a very good indication of what God has in store in our Future:
Exodus 24:1 And He said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
It was very hazardous to be too close to the presence of God.
Exodus 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever touches the mount shall be surely put to death: (also Exodus 19:23).
In Exodus 33:20 the Lord warns Moses about the danger of seeing His face: “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Old Testament Marriage Covenant
Exodus 24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.
God was making a covenant with His people, Israel.
Exodus 24:7 And [Moses] took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
And, Israel was making and entering a covenant with God – a wedding vow.
Exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Exodus 24:9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
Exodus 24:10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under His feet as it were a paved surface of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven as clear and blue as the sky itself.
In the New Testament, Jesus said of God the Father:
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John 5:37 And the Father Himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen His shape.
So, this reference in Exodus 24:10 and Exodus 24:11 is Jesus Christ – the God of the Old Testament.
Exodus 24:11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not His hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
They saw God – and lived to tell about it!
Exodus 24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
They were protected from God’s intense brilliance by the Sea of Glass between them and Jesus Christ in His glorious radiance above. They celebrated by eating and drinking their wedding supper – a type of the true marriage supper on the Sea of Glass.
The Ten Commandments were given on Pentecost, so this is in association with Pentecost. God gives us this little detail in Exodus 24 as a picture of our wedding to Christ on the heavenly Sea of Glass.
All of God’s Feast Days have great prophetic significance. The Feast of Trumpets heralds the time of Christ’s return in great power against the Beast, the evil kings of this earth and their armies:
Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against [Jesus Christ] Who sat on the horse, and against His army [of saints].
In today’s sermon we will be looking at the events just prior to Christ return in great power. This world is going to witness the resurrection of the saints to glory so that they can return with Jesus as glorified beings (Hebrews 2:10). The beloved apostle John writes of that future time when we will return with Jesus on a Feast of Trumpets.
Revelation 19:14 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
Jesus makes war because, this time, His judgment is to condemnation.
Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he Himself.
Revelation 19:13 And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.
Yes, Jesus shed His blood and purchased a people unto Himself. That people, along with the angles of heaven, constitute an army that will be accompanying Jesus.
Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed [Jesus] upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The resurrection of the saints will not take place until after the great Tribulation – even Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7, Matthew 24:21, Revelation 7:14).
Much of what will take place before the Millennium revolves around the events that will take place at the Sea of Glass. When and how will the better and more noble resurrection of the very elect brethren take place (Hebrews 11:35, Matthew 24:24)?
Our resurrection will take place in combination with the soon coming return of Jesus Christ. The time setting will be immediately following the Great Tribulation.
Even now, we see the rise of the Beast power and the storm clouds of the Tribulation beginning to form on the horizon. If we would discern the face of the sky, we would recognize just how close the return of Jesus is (Matthew 16:3).
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the Tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Psalm 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Everyone on earth will see Jesus returning – before He gets here – and we will be with Him. So, we find that it will be God’s angels who usher the resurrected saints to the very throne of God.
The angels are going to carry us onto the Sea of Glass. Wherever God’s people are, dead or alive, they will be brought together—then, as spirit beings!
Matthew 24:31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet [the seventh and last Trumpet on a Pentecost Day], and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Let’s answer the question, gather them where? These are the words of Jesus Himself:
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are [dead] in their graves shall hear His voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and [afterward] they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Make no mistake brethren, we will be required to give an answer for ourselves.
Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
The beloved apostle John, in the spirit, was shown a vision of God’s throne in heaven.
Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up here, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Let’s look at this gathering in heaven!
Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a Sea of Glass like unto crystal: and in the middle of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living beings full of eyes before and behind.
Then John saw another great and marvelous thing in heaven. He saw the resurrected prophets and holy ones from the Old Testament times, the New Testament saints (including ourselves), and all who were led by God’s Holy Spirit—standing upon that Sea of Glass (Revelation 15:1).
Remember brethren, that everything we read of in heaven is of a spiritual nature—more real than anything on earth.
Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
The saints are at the Sea of Glass
Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a Sea of Glass mingled with fire: and [the saints] that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the Sea of Glass, having the harps of God.
There will be the resurrected saints from the Old Testament, and those resurrected saints form the New Testament. The prophets of old, and the faithful saints of the Church of God.
Revelation 15:3 And [The prophets of old] sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and [the saints form the New Testament sing] the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Brethren, these events will be occurring at the time of Pentecost – but remember they are in preparation for Christ’s return to earth in Great power at the following Feast of Trumpets.
Revelation 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Daniel 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou should give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth.
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Brethren, who will stand on the Sea of Glass? Jesus Christ will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that His spouse will be true and faithful forever more. She will not be double minded. She will love the principles of her Husband—Jesus. She will always do His bidding (Luke 12:43). Jesus Christ’s will will forever be her will, will it not?
Let me repeat that… Jesus Christ’s will will forever be her will, will it not? That is a little pun to demonstrate how difficult the English language is. In God’s Kingdom there will be no confusion of words and meanings.
Zephaniah 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
A new pure language will be given to the resurrected saints. That is one of many things that will immediately take place! In today’s sermon we are exploring the events just ahead for the Church of God.
We will take a look at many of the things to take place on of about the Sea of Glass, as we are clothed, named, and we sing praises and worship as newly born Children of God forever more. The first great thing to happen is our being changed from mortal to immortal spiritual Children of God—our fulfillment, realization of the hope of the saints.
I believe the most important happening that will take place at the Sea of Glass is our entering into the New Eternal Covenant with Jesus Christ. It will be a covenant that cannot be broken! Our character will be fixed forever. We will possess Godly Character – wherein we cannot and will not ever sin again. We will have become the eternal, spiritual Children of God – born into the everlasting Family of God (John 3:5-8).
Think back to the resurrection of Jesus Christ—from dead body to glorified being – in an instant.
1Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Jesus Christ] was made a quickening spirit.
Quickening spirit: Jesus is able to give Life – even spiritual eternal Life.
1Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Corinthians 15:48 As is the earthy, [we are made of the dust of the earth], such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, [the resurrected Jesus Christ], such are they also that are heavenly.
Spirit beings —“Beloved, it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” (1John 3:2)
We shall be like Him! Brethren, wishing, wanting, desiring, to be like Him is not enough.
1John 3:3 Every man that has this hope, expectation, confidence in him purifies himself, even as He [Jesus Christ] is pure. (2Corinthians 7:1)
1Corinthians 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
That is so incredible!
1Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed,
Resurrected alive! That will be a special blessing to those who have laid down their lives, endured the Beast power and the Tribulation – they will be changed to spirit beings—without tasting of physical death!
1Corinthians 15:52 In an instant, in the wink of an eye, at the last trumpet: [that is the soon to be heard Pentecost trumpet] for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed [Greek ‘allasso’– very different from what we are now.
Changed to be even greater than the prophet John the Baptist was on earth.
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
How can that be?
1Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible [subject to decay] must put on incorruption [spirit life], and this mortal must put on immortality [eternal life].
1Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
The “death” that came as the result of one man’s sin— is swallowed up in victory.
1Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Those who sleep in Jesus, the dead in Christ, have died while maintaining the true faith. Those who sleep in Jesus have endured unto the end.
1Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep.
Paul wants to make it clear that there is no advantage in being alive at the timing of the resurrection, because those that are in the grave will be resurrected first! Perhaps only an instant or so, because we will all arrive at the Sea of Glass at same time – and that includes the two witnesses who will have only been dead for three and a half days (Revelation 11:9). And for those who have been dead for thousands of years—it will seem to have been only for an instant.
1Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Thessalonians 4:17 Then we [the faithful saints] who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
We know that because we will never be separate again… We will come back to the earth on the Feast of Trumpets with Jesus. What a vantage point that will be – to see and be a part what is really going on everywhere on earth with Christ.
When the Beast power rules, things will be changing rapidly. The excessive and the extreme will become the norm. What is unwarranted now will be mandatory. Things like work on the Sabbath Day. Worship of the Beast and his system. The secrets of the Beast and his agents will be made plain and revealed.
Brethren, can you imagine the change that will take place in us as we approach the Sea of Glass?
Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Picture that – that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body: We too will have brilliant glorious, spiritual bodies!
Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
On the Feast of Trumpets, the Saints will return to earth as Christ’s heavenly army of spirit beings to defeat the Beast and False Prophet in the Valley of Jehoshaphat and help establish God’s Kingdom over all the earth. (Revelation 19:14; Joel 3:1-2; Zechariah 14:1-5)
The seven Trumpet plagues begin on a Feast of Trumpets – a year before the end of the Tribulation and last until the triumphant return of Jesus to this earth to rule the Millennium from the throne of David (Isaiah 16:5).
After the Saints are gathered with the Two Witnesses on the Sea of Glass the last seven vials will be poured out (Revelation 15:2).
When the first resurrection takes place, it’s going to be at the time of the seventh trumpet. On that on Pentecost Day, the seventh trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible!
Things that will happen on the Sea of Glass Immediately After the Resurrection
Earth is a mess after Tribulation. The saints will be clothed in bright white linen.
Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
We will be given a White Stone and a New name the city of Jerusalem. The word City, is like – citizen – citizenship – where we belong – where we live, where we love to be. Jerusalem is a Vision of Peace, “The City of Peace.” The “Abode of Peace” Where God dwells. When God symbolically dwelt in the Holy of Holies, Jerusalem was known by its citizens as “the holy city,” because of God’s presence there.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
We will see Jesus in His Glory. We will possess Eternal life. We will have responsibilities and jobs in the Kingdom. We see specific instructions and assignments to each and every one of us.
Luke 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. [Do, Work, Overcome]
Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
Luke 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. [Our life’s work]
Luke 19:16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. [We will have the ability to restore and heal the wounded.]
Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. [First, teach Sabbath – for more teaching]
Luke 19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
Luke 19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
Luke 19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
Some people do nothing but talk and listen – they do no works.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
1Corithians 3:8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Luke 19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Luke 19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
Luke 19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
Luke 19:25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
Luke 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
We will learn war no more – we will fabricate plowshares from artillery pieces. We will be able to convert ourselves from looking physical to being glorious.
Jacob Wrestles with God
Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Genesis 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
The saints will witness the seven last plagues being poured out on an evil world.
The time-period from the first resurrection on Pentecost until we come back to the earth will be the time between Pentecost and Trumpets.
The 7 last plagues will be poured out for 4 months-plus until last Feast of Trumpets when we will return on white horses with Jesus.
As resurrected beings, We will see the vengeance of God being poured out (Revelation 15:8 again). The Earth will all but be destroyed by plague and pestilence.
Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome [wicked, injurious] and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. [billions will fall fatally sick with disease for which there is no cure]
Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
Revelation 16:4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
Revelation 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
Revelation 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. [no water to drink, blood of the saints being avenged.]
Revelation 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
These judgments on the earth are just – because of their sins.
Revelation 16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
Revelation 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Revelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Revelation 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Brethren, the Bible reveals so many fantastic details of what is soon to take place for the true servants of Jesus Christ.
Explore these Scriptures – there are some wonderful surprises there.
End: Sea of Glass