Revelation 15: A Prelude to God's Final Wrath
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
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.
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
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.
And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
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.
Revelation 15 serves as a crucial interlude, a moment of both terrifying anticipation and glorious celebration, bridging the trumpet judgments of Revelation 8-11 and the climactic bowl judgments of Revelation 16. Think of it as the eye of a hurricane – a brief period of relative calm before the ultimate storm. This chapter doesn't present events in strict chronological order, but rather offers a panoramic view, enriching our understanding of the end times. It sets the stage for the final outpouring of God's wrath on a world steeped in rebellion, while simultaneously highlighting the unwavering faith and ultimate victory of those who remain loyal to Him.
The Final Plagues and God's Completed Wrath (Revelation 15:1)
John's vision opens with seven angels, each holding a bowl containing the "seven last plagues." These are the final judgments God will unleash during the tribulation. It's important to understand that these plagues represent the completion of God's temporal wrath on the earth. This doesn’t negate the final judgment to come, where the eternal destinies of the righteous and the wicked will be sealed. Rather, it signifies the cessation of these specific tribulation judgments. John emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of this vision, noting that the sight of these angels was "great and marvelous." This hints at the unparalleled severity and impact of the judgments they are about to deliver.
A Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire (Revelation 15:2-4)
John then sees "something like a sea of glass mingled with fire," reminiscent of the scene in Revelation 4:6. This sea is likely not literal glass, but rather a vast, smooth body of water. The "fire" mingled with it is a powerful symbol. While the smooth surface might suggest serenity, the presence of fire reveals that this calm is merely a dramatic prelude to God's fiery wrath.
Standing on this sea are those who have triumphed over the beast, refusing to worship its image or receive its mark. These are likely martyred believers, already in heaven, holding harps given to them by God. Their presence signifies the ultimate victory of faith over earthly power.
Their song is particularly significant – "the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb." (Revelation 15:3). This echoes the triumphant song of Moses and the Israelites after their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 15:1-18). Just as Moses sang after the defeat of Pharaoh's army, these tribulation saints sing in anticipation of the final defeat of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. This new song is even more glorious, however, because the judgment is carried out by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. He was present with Israel in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) but is now openly revealed as the incarnate Messiah and Redeemer.
The song itself celebrates God’s character and works. These believers worship God for his "great and marvelous" deeds, acknowledging that His ways are "just and true." (Revelation 15:3). They recognize His holiness and the fact that all nations will ultimately come to worship before Him (Revelation 15:4). This worship stems from both reverence for His glorious name and recognition of the righteousness of His actions in both judging rebellion and saving multitudes.
The Temple Filled with Smoke (Revelation 15:5-8)
The scene shifts to the heavenly temple. The seven angels, dressed in pure, bright linen and wearing golden sashes, emerge from the temple (Revelation 15:5-6). Their attire emphasizes their glory and moral purity, highlighting that they are acting on God's behalf, carrying out His righteous judgments. One of the four living creatures (introduced in Revelation 4:6) gives them seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God (Revelation 15:7). The presence of these creatures, both here and in chapter 4, creates a powerful bookend, framing the judgments of the tribulation. A worship service featuring the four living creatures inaugurated the tribulation, and a worship service featuring the creatures will culminate it.
The temple then fills with smoke, preventing anyone from entering until the judgments are completed (Revelation 15:8). This imagery harkens back to Old Testament scenes, such as the dedication of Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:10-11) and Isaiah's vision of God's throne room (Isaiah 6:4). In both instances, the smoke or cloud signified God's manifest presence. Here, the smoke serves the same purpose: to emphasize that God is the source of the impending judgments. No one can approach Him until His wrath is fully poured out. God wants all to recognize Him as the source of the fierce judgments to ensue.
Looking Ahead: The Bowl Judgments
Revelation 15 serves as a dramatic and sobering introduction to the bowl judgments that follow in chapter 16. It reminds us of the severity of God's judgment against sin, the ultimate victory of those who remain faithful, and the importance of worshipping God for His justice and holiness. The chapter sets the stage for the final act of the tribulation, where God's wrath will be fully revealed.
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
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.
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
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.
And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
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.
Revelation 15 serves as a crucial interlude, a moment of both terrifying anticipation and glorious celebration, bridging the trumpet judgments of Revelation 8-11 and the climactic bowl judgments of Revelation 16. Think of it as the eye of a hurricane – a brief period of relative calm before the ultimate storm. This chapter doesn't present events in strict chronological order, but rather offers a panoramic view, enriching our understanding of the end times. It sets the stage for the final outpouring of God's wrath on a world steeped in rebellion, while simultaneously highlighting the unwavering faith and ultimate victory of those who remain loyal to Him.
The Final Plagues and God's Completed Wrath (Revelation 15:1)
John's vision opens with seven angels, each holding a bowl containing the "seven last plagues." These are the final judgments God will unleash during the tribulation. It's important to understand that these plagues represent the completion of God's temporal wrath on the earth. This doesn’t negate the final judgment to come, where the eternal destinies of the righteous and the wicked will be sealed. Rather, it signifies the cessation of these specific tribulation judgments. John emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of this vision, noting that the sight of these angels was "great and marvelous." This hints at the unparalleled severity and impact of the judgments they are about to deliver.
A Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire (Revelation 15:2-4)
John then sees "something like a sea of glass mingled with fire," reminiscent of the scene in Revelation 4:6. This sea is likely not literal glass, but rather a vast, smooth body of water. The "fire" mingled with it is a powerful symbol. While the smooth surface might suggest serenity, the presence of fire reveals that this calm is merely a dramatic prelude to God's fiery wrath.
Standing on this sea are those who have triumphed over the beast, refusing to worship its image or receive its mark. These are likely martyred believers, already in heaven, holding harps given to them by God. Their presence signifies the ultimate victory of faith over earthly power.
Their song is particularly significant – "the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb." (Revelation 15:3). This echoes the triumphant song of Moses and the Israelites after their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 15:1-18). Just as Moses sang after the defeat of Pharaoh's army, these tribulation saints sing in anticipation of the final defeat of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. This new song is even more glorious, however, because the judgment is carried out by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. He was present with Israel in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) but is now openly revealed as the incarnate Messiah and Redeemer.
The song itself celebrates God’s character and works. These believers worship God for his "great and marvelous" deeds, acknowledging that His ways are "just and true." (Revelation 15:3). They recognize His holiness and the fact that all nations will ultimately come to worship before Him (Revelation 15:4). This worship stems from both reverence for His glorious name and recognition of the righteousness of His actions in both judging rebellion and saving multitudes.
The Temple Filled with Smoke (Revelation 15:5-8)
The scene shifts to the heavenly temple. The seven angels, dressed in pure, bright linen and wearing golden sashes, emerge from the temple (Revelation 15:5-6). Their attire emphasizes their glory and moral purity, highlighting that they are acting on God's behalf, carrying out His righteous judgments. One of the four living creatures (introduced in Revelation 4:6) gives them seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God (Revelation 15:7). The presence of these creatures, both here and in chapter 4, creates a powerful bookend, framing the judgments of the tribulation. A worship service featuring the four living creatures inaugurated the tribulation, and a worship service featuring the creatures will culminate it.
The temple then fills with smoke, preventing anyone from entering until the judgments are completed (Revelation 15:8). This imagery harkens back to Old Testament scenes, such as the dedication of Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:10-11) and Isaiah's vision of God's throne room (Isaiah 6:4). In both instances, the smoke or cloud signified God's manifest presence. Here, the smoke serves the same purpose: to emphasize that God is the source of the impending judgments. No one can approach Him until His wrath is fully poured out. God wants all to recognize Him as the source of the fierce judgments to ensue.
Looking Ahead: The Bowl Judgments
Revelation 15 serves as a dramatic and sobering introduction to the bowl judgments that follow in chapter 16. It reminds us of the severity of God's judgment against sin, the ultimate victory of those who remain faithful, and the importance of worshipping God for His justice and holiness. The chapter sets the stage for the final act of the tribulation, where God's wrath will be fully revealed.