Revelation 15
BBCRevelation 15:1
15:1 Another sign in heaven involves seven angels having the seven last plagues, which, when loosed, mark the completion of the wrath of God. From this we know that we are now toward the end of the Tribulation. 15:2 John sees a great company of people in heaven, standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire. He recognizes them as those who refused to worship the beast or his image. Doubtless they were martyred as a result. 15:3, 4 But now they are in heaven, singing the song of Moses … and the song of the Lamb, composed almost entirely of quotations from the OT. They testify to the righteousness of God’s judgments in anticipation of what He is about to do to their murderers on earth. They praise God Almighty for His works and ways. In the context, this means His acts of judgment, though it may be applied to all His works and ways, of course. King of the saints should read King of the nations (NKJV margin). The song of Moses celebrated God’s redemption of His people from slavery in Egypt. The song of the Lamb celebrates the final deliverance from Satan and all foes of spiritual life. Thus, as A. T. Pierson has so aptly pointed out, They mark the two bounds of Redemption history, and between them lies the whole history of God’s ransomed people.God’s judgments on the earth have shown Him to be a God of holiness. They will cause all nations to fear, glorify, and worship Him. 15:5 After these things John sees the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven … opened. This is apparently the heavenly reality of which the earthly temple was a pattern or copy (Heb_9:23). It refers especially to the Most Holy Place. 15:6 Seven angels emerge, clothed in pure, bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. This means that they are equipped to execute righteous judgment by which God will be glorified. These angels are about to unleash the seven last plagues. 15:7 One of the four living creatures hands a bowl to each angel. These bowls contain the final judgments of the Great Tribulation which affect all of God’s enemies, not just a portion of them. 15:8 The fact that no one can enter the temple till these seven plagues are completed may mean that no priestly intercession can now delay God’s wrath.