Revelation (Lesson 42)

Revelation 15:1–8 NASB95

1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. 3 And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! 4 “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed.” 5 After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, 6 and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

Introduction:

Chapter 15 is introductory and serves as a prelude for the reader for the execution of the judgments described in chapter 16.

They are first described as the seven last plagues and then as seven bowls full of the wrath of God (vs. 7; 16:1).

These seven plagues will chronologically bring to an end the ordered events of the Tribulation judgments in a dramatic crescendo.

The plagues described here are extremely severe and occur in rapid succession, which adds greatly to their severity.

They are plague-like calamities, and each is poured out suddenly, all at once as the contents of a bowl when it is turned over.

We see now in unison the seventh seal, the seventh trumpet, the third woe and the seven bowls being poured out.

Verse 1

A. John sees another sign in heaven, which he described as great and marvelous.

1. The term “sign” refers to something that is used as a symbol to signify and teach an important truth.

2. The other signs previously mentioned are those in 12:1 and 3 (Israel, the woman, and the red dragon who is the head and source of the empire of the beast).

3. In the “seven angels with seven last plagues” we again see the number seven, the number of perfection and completion. That there are seven plagues again reminds us these judgments will accomplish a perfect and complete work on earth to prepare its inhabitants for the return of Jesus Christ.

4. “The seven last plagues” is literally “seven plagues, the last ones.”

5. “Because in them the wrath of God is finished.” This clause, introduced with “because” explains and points us to the reason for these plagues as the last ones.

6. “The wrath of God.” which emphasizes the divine attitude toward sin as it proceeds from the holiness of God.

B. What will his wrath address?

As the time of Jacob’s trouble. The Tribulation is first of all God’s discipline on the Jews for their willful rejection of Christ as their Messiah and for their stubbornness. It will purge out the rebels and cause the rest to turn to Christ

The Tribulation will bring God’s judgment on the Gentiles for anti-Semitism. It will be a strong source of motivation for men to repent and turn to faith in Christ, and judge the rest for their unbelief and rebellion.

As to Satan the Tribulation is to demonstrate the true character and program of Satan as the source of sin, misery, war and murder.

It will demonstrate to mankind as a whole (Jew and Gentile) the true rebellion and spiritually corrupt nature of man and the depths to which he will go when given the chance.

As to God and Christ it will demonstrate their absolute holiness, grace, faithfulness to their promises, and that God is still on the throne and He is just in his decisions against Satan and unbelieving man.

Verse 2

A. The sea of glass

1. The phrase “something like” qualifies this statement. John didn’t see a real sea, but a broad expanse like a sea of white transparent glass or stone that has a glassy appearance and reflects an image.

2. So what does this symbolism represent?

a. The glassy expanse like a sea is designed to communicate the concept of the reflection of God’s glory. Perhaps also it stands as a symbol for the Word of God and its many promises and truths that reflect God’s character or person, plan, principles, and purposes.

b. In 4:6 it was likened to crystal and stood for the perfect righteousness of God.

c. Here in 15:2 it is seen mingled with fire, which, as a symbol of judgment, stands for the perfect justice of God and his actions with men.

d. It is also seen upholding the saints who stand firmly upon it. This reflects the immutable faithfulness of God in His grace and love to His people through His perfect plan of salvation in Christ.

B. The Saints who were martyred.

1. Because of the reference to the beast and his work which sets the context, these are clearly the martyred dead of the Tribulation.

2. Because of their victory in Christ, they were delivered from the beast, from his image, and from his mark. The three-fold repetition emphasizes the element of victory and deliverance.

3. “Standing” is an intensive perfect, which emphasizes the permanence of this position in contrast to the temporary victory that would have been theirs had they rejected Christ and worshipped the beast.

4. John sees these saints holding harps of gold. This is part of their reward as mentioned in 14:13 .

5. “Holding” is a descriptive present pointing to the continuance of their worship of God.

Verse 3-4

A. The songs of Moses and The Lamb

1. Song of Moses emphasizes the power and faithfulness of God both in Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32.

2. The Song of the Little Lamb emphasizes the redemptive work and plan of God in Christ. It lays stress on Christ’s submission to the plan of the Father.

B. Who will fear?

The answer is no one! The Tribulation will not only vindicate God’s holiness and character, but it will clearly demonstrate that He is the almighty and brings every man to his knees even though it will be too late for some to turn to Christ.

Verse 5-6

A. The sanctuary opened in Heaven.

1. “And after these things I looked.” “After these things” refers to the sign, the seas of glass, etc.

2. This implies an interval of time between these two sections.

3.In the first verses of the chapter we saw the saints in glory praising God and fully understanding the cause of wrath, but here the emphasis is on the divine side which emphatically and impressively stresses the source and cause of what is about to happen.

4. “The temple.” “Temple” is naos, which refers to the Holy of Holies. The design was given to Israel in Exodus. The earthy tabernacle with the naos was a picture and type of the heavenly place (Isa. 6:2f). Today the believer’s body is called the naos (1 Cor. 6:19) because God the Holy Spirit Himself dwells within every believer.

5. “Of the tabernacle of the testimony.” Literally, “the tabernacle, the one of witness.” The whole tabernacle was a testimony and witness to the grace plan of God in Jesus Christ.

6. “And the seven angels … came out of the temple.” As the ministers and agents of God’s holy justice, these angels proceed from the presence of God acting on behalf of God’s holiness, righteousness, and justice.

7. That they are “clothed in pure white linen” refers to the nature of their commission as representatives of God’s holiness. Pure white portrays righteousness and reminds us of the truth of 1 John 1:5b, “God is light and in Him is not darkness at all.” “Linen,” as in the garment of the wife of the Lamb (19:8), symbolizes righteousness in action.

8. “And having their breasts girded with golden girdles” is also symbolical. Gold stands for the glory of God and girding was an act of preparation.

Verses 7-8

A. The seven golden bowls given to the Angels.

1. “And having their breasts girded with golden girdles” is also symbolical. Gold stands for the glory of God and girding was an act of preparation.

2. “Full of the wrath of God.” The word “full” is a descriptive participle from the Greek verb, which means “be full to the brim.

3. “Wrath” is again a word which refers to God’s divine justice and anger in action.

4. “Who lives for ever and ever.” Literally the Greek reads, “of the wrath, the one of God, the One who lives unto the ages of ages (eternally).

5. “And the temple was filled with smoke.” The “temple” of course is the heavenly temple, the very abode of God, the Holy of Holies of God’s presence.

6. “Was filled” is a causative verb which means to “cause to be full.” It is the perfect holiness of God’s divine essence that causes the temple to be filled with smoke.

7. “And no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues … were finished …” The smoke, which points to the awesome holiness of God, will make access into the presence of God impossible.

8. Note that this smoke continues until the plagues are finished, until God’s holy character is satisfied and God deals with sin.