And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God.
The image in this verse is of a sea of glass glowing with fire. This is reminiscent of the sea of glass that was before the throne of God in Revelation 4:6. And beside it are those who have been victorious over the beast (Rev. 13:1-10), its image (Rev. 13:14-16), and the number of its name (Rev. 13:16-18). These victors are standing in the presence of God.
Being victorious is a common theme in Revelation. At the end of each of the seven letters in Revelation 2-3, there is a promise made to those who are victorious. And participation in the New Jerusalem is also promised to those who are victorious.
The beast they were victorious over was first mentioned in Revelation 13, and is often identified as the Antichrist. This beast is pictured as an individual. But it can represent all that is contrary to the ways of Christ, all that is antichrist.
This beast was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them (Rev. 13:7). From a human perspective, the beast might seem to have won. But those he conquered have now been revealed as victors.
We typically think of victory in terms of defeating our enemy. And doing it here in this life. But for us, as believers, being victorious means that we defeat our enemy by being faithful to the Lord. Even if it results in our physical death.
And when we are victorious, we will join those standing beside the sea of glass before the throne of God, learning to play our new harps.
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