01.15. CHAPTER 15.
CHAPTER 15.
Revelation 15:1. “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up [completed] the wrath of God.” The seven trumpets were, as we have seen, emblematic of the partial and premonitory judgments of God on the earth, during the first three and a half years of Daniel’s seventieth week of years. The seven vials are symbolic of the execution of the fulness of Divine indignation during the last three and a half years.
Before entering on these solemn scenes of judgment on earth we have a beautiful vision of heavenly triumph and praise.
Revelation 15:2-4. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast [wild 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 [Jehovah] God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord [Jehovah], and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.’” In connection with the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was the brazen laver supplied with water from the smitten rock, and on the south side of the Temple of Solomon stood the brazen sea. In both of these provision was made for cleansing, because it was forbidden for the priests to compass the altar, or enter the sanctuary, with defiled hands or feet. In Revelation 4:6 we read of “the sea of glass like unto crystal, “before the throne of God,—not a provision for cleansing, for all fear of defilement has passed away for ever, but an emblem of the fixed purity which characterises the worship and service of God above. In this fifteenth chapter it is a sea of glass mingled with fire— emblematic not only of purity, but of that fiery trial through which those standing on the sea of glass had passed. In the latter part of Revelation 7:1-17 : those who have come out of the great tribulation are seen with robes made white in the blood of the Lamb, and with palms of victory in their hands, and with their song of praise. Here those who, like them, have passed through that fiery trial, are seen having the harps of God, and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. They praise God not only for their own salvation, but for His righteous judgments, and in prospect of His kingdom and His glory. The echoes of this song are heard and responded to on earth by those who are still in the furnace and passing through the fire, as we have already seen in Revelation 14:1-3 : “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts [living ones], and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”
Revelation 15:5-6. “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple [inner temple] of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: and the seven angels came out of the temple [inner temple], having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.” The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18). He also sends help for His faithful ones from the sanctuary (Psalms 20:2). These judgments have not only their origin in the sovereignty of God as proceeding from the throne (Revelation 4:2), but from the holiness of God—for they proceed from the sanctuary—and also from the faithfulness of God in fulfilment of His word, for they proceed from the tabernacle of witness. The seven angels emblematic of God’s providential agency come forth from the sanctuary. Their clothing of pure and bright linen is expressive of their holiness and glory; the girded loins is the emblem of strength; but the breasts, the seat of the affections, girded with golden girdles, is suggestive of holy indignation, in fellowship with God—a zeal for the vindication of His holiness.
Revelation 15:7-8. “And one of the four beasts [living ones] gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials [bowls] full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple [inner 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.” The redeemed in resurrection and heavenly glory have fellowship with God in the execution of His righteous judgments, as well as the holy angels who surround the throne. One of the four living ones gives the vials full of the wrath of God into the hands of the angels who are the executors of it. The temple filled with smoke reminds us of the scene in Isaiah 6:4. Its solemn import is expressed in Psalms 76:7-9 : “Thou, even Thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in Thy sight when once Thou art angry? Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, when God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selali.”