Revelation 15

Revelation 15:1-4

SECTION THREE

 

POURING OUT OF THE SEVEN PLAGUES

 

Revelation 15:1 to 16:21

 

PreliminaryNotes:

1. There are three sets of symbolic sevens, each one bringing the story to the end of time or the coming of the Lord. Since the prophetic history of the church from John’s time was pictorially revealed in the book of seven seals, naturally the seventh seal would not be exhausted till the end. The seven trumpets came under the last seal and the sound-ing of the seventh one brings the end. (Revelation 11:15-19.) In like manner the plagues, under another set of symbols, complete the cycle, for Revelation 15:1 says in them is “finished the wrath of God.”

 

2. The fourteenth chapter was designed to encourage saints in their struggles by predicting the fall of Babylon (verse 8) and the final victory of the righteous (verse 13). Section three points out the means by which these glorious results are to be accomplished.

 

3. In view of the fact that these plagues were to be poured out upon the beast and his worshipers (Revelation 16:2; Revelation 16:10), it is evident that they represent a series of events that will ultimately end the papal hierarchy–accomplish the destruction of the “man of sin.” This event will occur at the coming of the Lord. (2 Thessalonians 2:8.) All this is proof that the plagues did not begin to be poured out till after the 1,260-year period, or the time when Rome’s complete sway began to be destroyed.

 

1. AN VISION

Revelation 15:1-4

 

1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.–This sign which John saw in heaven was one of marvelous beauty fitted to excite wonder and prepare the mind to appreciate the promise of victory over the beast. Appearing in heaven would indicate that this victory would come through the judgments that God would providentially bring upon the beast. Saying that these plagues are the last is explained to mean that when they are completed the wrath of God against the papal beast power will be finished. However long a time may be covered by the plagues, their finish means the end of the world.

 

2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name,–A similar vision is recorded in 4:6 except that here the sea of glass is “min-gled with fire.” There it was “before the throne”; here it is in heaven, hence must have reference in some way to the saved. This is further evident by the fact that it is those who are victorious that are standing by it, or upon it, according to the margin. Compare the notes on Revelation 4:6. On the expressions image of the beast and the number of his name see the notes on Revelation 13:15-18. The victory mentioned here evidently refers to the fact that those standing by the sea of glass had successfully resisted all the schemes and devices of the papacy to force them to accept its doctrines and practices; this they did in spite of threats and persecutions. The fire may represent the persecu-tions in which they attained their glorious victory. (Acts 14:22.)

 

standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God.–As the scene was laid in heaven and the persons were those who had gained a victory over the beast, it must refer to saints in glory, not to those in the church on earth. The word “harps,” as a symbol, doubtless, means the praise that the redeemed will render to God. It certainly could not mean mechanical harps, for pure spirit beings would not need material harps. In Ephesians 5:19 Paul uses the Greek word psallo in a figurative sense, saying that it is done with the heart. Whatever spiritual faculties we have for praising God will be the heavenly harps. Whatever the meaning of this expression, it can have no reference to the church on earth. See notes on Revelation 14:2.

 

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.–It does not seem reason-able that those who gained a victory over the beast should sing the same song that was sung when Moses led Israel out of Egypt. (Exodus 15:1.) That they should celebrate their victory in an appropriate song like the Israelites did at the Red Sea is altogether reasonable hence, the language probably means that they sang a song to the Lamb as the Israelites did to Moses. Both victories were accomplished through God’s help and in a similar way. Since reference is made to the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, it is natural for the song to speak of God as having almighty power and his works being great and marvelous. The Red Sea and Mount Sinai furnish examples. That God should be just or righteous, true in all his ways, is required by his very nature. Pharaoh with all his wickedness was as justly treated as the Israelites in their affliction. So the reverses that fell upon the beast power were but evidences of the just providences of God.

 

God is here referred to as the “King of the ages”; the margin says King of nations, and the King James Version King of saints.It is immaterial which is the true reading, for if God is King at all, he is King of all three. There is a broad general sense in which God has and will rule in all ages, though the specific reign in this age is given to Christ. Since this authority was given to him by the Father, and he operates through the Father’s power, the direct reign will he given back to the Father in the final state. (1 Corinthians 15:24.)

 

4 Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest. –This means that all should fear his name because of his holiness. Then it is affirmed that all nations–that is, people from all nations–will come and worship before him. His righteous acts have been made known and those influenced by them to be faithful regardless of persecution will he per-mitted to worship before him in heaven and join in the song of praise.

Revelation 15:5-8

2. THE SEVEN ANGELS

Revelation 15:5 to 16:1

 

5 And after these things I saw, and the temple of the taber-nacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:–“After these things” means after the things mentioned in the vision de-scribed in verses 1-4. The tabernacle was erected in the wil-derness and the temple was a permanent building on the same plan builded in Jerusalem. Both buildings were divided into two apartments–holy and most holy–the latter being typical of heaven. (Heb. 9:1-7, 24.) The two names referred either to the whole building or to either apartment of it. The word tabernacle here probably means the entire building and the word temple means the most holy part. This represented the actual dwelling place of God. It was the place where God’s law was kept and was filled with God’s presence; hence, it was a testimony to God’s presence. John saw within this place the vision.

 

6 and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed with precious stone, pure and bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.–Seeing these angels come out of the open temple indicated that they came from God’s presence and shows that their mission to bring punishment upon the beast and his dupes was with divine approval. Seven is acknowledged as the number of per-fection. Seven angels with authority to pour out seven plagues means that the punishment would be thorough and complete –God’s wrath on the beast being finished with the last one. Whether the text should read “stone pure and, bright” or “pure and white linen” (as in the King James) is a matter for textual critics. Evidently both expressions are found in some manuscripts. One would mean that their garments were adorned with precious stones; the other that they were clothed with pure white linen indicative of the purity of their mis-sion.

Precious stones would show the value of their work. There is no material difference which one is the true reading –both express a truth. Their golden girdle was like that worn by Christ in the vision of 1:13. They were appropriately arrayed.

 

7 And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.–The four living creatures were introduced in vision in 4:6, 7. See the notes on those verses for an explanation. It is evident that they are some kind of heavenly beings in attendance upon God, and therefore suitable beings to deliver the plagues to the angels. Which one of the four acted in this event is not stated. The bowls were full of the wrath of God. Doubtless that expression was used in refer-ence to the custom of drinking poison out of a bowl, and was intended here to indicate the punishments that would be poured out upon the papal beast.

The figure of “pouring out” God’s wrath is common to the Old Testament. See Psalms 79:6; Jer. 10:25 Zeph. 3:8. The thought here seems to be: each angel received out of the sum of God’s indignation against the beast power a measure of wrath into the bowl given him and poured it out at the proper time and at the proper place. In words without a figure, it means that punishments would fall upon the papal power.

 

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; –This language indicates that the smoke came from the glorious power of God, and is, therefore, an appropriate symbol of divine power. Mount Sinai, when Jehovah descended upon it, was covered with smoke. (Ex. 19:18.) When the tabernacle was put up the cloud filled it (Ex. 40:34); the same was true when the temple was built later (1 Kings 8:10). When Isaiah received his com-mission, he saw in a vision God sitting upon his throne and the house filled with smoke. (Isa. 6:4.) Smoke here then represents the glorious power of God which was a guarantee that the plagues would be certain to fall as indicated in the symbol.

 

and none was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished.–The general application of these verses is to the plagues promised to the beast. Interpretations of special expressions must harmonize with the general idea. In the literal temple the most holy apartment represented God’s dwelling place; hence, it was there that the high priest made the atonement in behalf of the people. No one being allowed to enter the symbolic temple till all the plagues had been finished indicates that nothing could prevent the falling of the plagues just as promised. The beast power had reached the point in wickedness when noth-ing but punishments would meet the demands of divine justice. The door would be closed against those who would petition in behalf of such a corrupt institution; its ultimate end must be destruction.

The Lord’s ears are open to the supplication of the righteous, but against those that do evil. (1 Pet. 3:12.) This symbol presents the “man of sin” as doomed to destruction with no power to prevent, for there would be no means that would produce repentance and refor-mation. Since God is always ready to hear the righteous, we know the foregoing application of this text must be the right one.

 

Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.–These words are a statement of the commission to the angels. They were spoken in the temple, indicating that the authority to execute their commis-sion is from God. The word “earth” here is to be taken liter-ally, for the angels who were to pour out the plagues were in heaven, and those upon whom they were to fall were dwelling on the earth. The part of the earth in each case corresponds with those affected. This verse is but a general statement of authority being conferred upon the angels; the remainder of this chapter is a detailed description of how that authority was carried out.

 

LESSON 20.

THE SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH

Read Rev. 15 and 16

 

1. What great and marvelous sign was seen in heaven? Ans. Revelation 15:1.

2. Who was seen standing by the sea of glass? Ans. Revelation 15:2.

3. What song did they sing? Ans. Revelation 15:3-4.

4. What was opened in heaven? Ans. Revelation 15:5.

5. Who came out from the temple? Ans. Revelation 15:6.

6. What did one of the four living creatures give to the seven angels? Ans. Revelation 15:7.

7. With what was the temple filled? Ans. Revelation 15:8.

8. What were the seven angels told to do? Ans. Revelation 16:1.

9. Tell what happened when the first bowl was poured out. Ans. Revelation 16:2.

10. How was the sea affected by the pouring out of the second vial? Ans. Revelation 16:3.

11. Into what was the third bowl poured? Ans. Revelation 16:4.

12. What did the “angel of the waters” say? Ans. Revelation 16:5-6.

13. What statement came from the altar? Ans. Revelation 16:7.

14. Tell of the pouring out of the fourth bowl. Ans. Revelation 16:8-9.

15. On what was the fifth bowl poured, and what effect did it have? Ans. Revelation 16:10-11.

16. On what was the sixth bowl poured? Ans. Revelation 16:12.

17. What came out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet? Ans. Revelation 16:13.

18. Who were these “spirits”? Ans. Revelation 16:14.

19. For what great battle were they preparing? Ans. Revelation 16:16.

20. What timely admonition is given here? Ans. Revelation 16:15.

21. Tell all that occurred at the pouring out of the seventh bowl of wrath. Ans. Revelation 16:17-21.