Revelation 15

Revelation 15:1

Another sign in heaven (αλλοσημειονεντωουρανω). Looking back to Revelation 12:1; Revelation 12:3, after the series intervening. The Seven Bowls are parallel with the Seven Seals (ch. Revelation 6) and the Seven Trumpets (chapters Revelation 8-11), but there is an even closer connection with chapters Revelation 12-14, “the drama of the long conflict between the church and the world” (Swete).

Great and marvellous (μεγακαθαυμαστον). Θαυμαστος is an old verbal adjective (from θαυμαζω, to wonder) and is already in Matthew 21:42. The wonder extends to the end of this vision or sign (16:21).

Seven angels (αγγελουςεπτα). Accusative case in apposition with σημειον after ειδον. Cf. 8:2.

Which are the last (ταςεσχατας). “Seven plagues the last.” As in 21:9, “the final cycle of such visitations” (Swete).

Is finished (ετελεσθη). Proleptic prophetic first aorist passive indicative of τελεω as in 10:7. The number seven seems particularly appropriate here for finality and completeness.

Revelation 15:2

As it were a glassy sea (ωςθαλασσανυαλινην). Accusative case after ειδον and ως here, not in 4:6, which see for the symbol.

Mingled with fire (μεμιγμενηνπυρ). Perfect passive participle of μιγνυμ, to mix, and the associative instrumental case πυρ. This item not in 4:6 (a vision of peace), but here it adds to the splendour of the vision. This parenthesis (2-4) gives a picture of the martyrs in their state of bliss.

Them that come off victorious (τουςνικωντας). Present active articular participle of νικαω, accusative after ειδον, “those that come off victorious” (14:4).

From the beast and from his image (εκτουθηριουκαεκτηςεικονοςαυτου). This use of εκ after νικαω is unusual, also with εκτουαριθμου. For these items see Revelation 13:1; Revelation 13:14; Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4.

By the glassy sea (επτηνθαλασσαντηνυαλινην). Or “upon” more likely (4:6) with the accusative as in Matthew 14:25ff.

Harps of God (κιθαραςτουθεου). Objective genitive, for the worship of God (Revelation 5:8; Revelation 14:2; 1 Chronicles 16:42).

Revelation 15:3

The song of Moses (τηνωιδηντουΜωυσεως). Exodus 14:31; Exodus 15:1-19. A song of victory like that of Moses after crossing the Red Sea.

And the song of the Lamb (τηνωιδηντουαρνιου). A separate note of victory like that of Moses, though one song, not two. Charles finds it impossible to reconcile the two expressions, if genuine, but it is a needless objection. The words come from the O.T.: “great” (μεγαλα) from Psalms 111:2, “wonderful” (θαυμαστα) from Psalms 139:14, “O Lord God the Almighty” (Κυριεοθεοςοπαντοκρατωρ) from Amos 4:13 (Revelation 4:8), “righteous and true” (δικαιακααληθινα) from Deuteronomy 32:4, “Thou King of the ages” (οβασιλευςτωναιωνων) like Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:17. Some MSS. have “the king of the saints” and some “the king of the nations,” like Jeremiah 10:7. John thus combines in Hebraic tone the expressions of the old and the new in the song to the Glorified Messiah.

Revelation 15:4

Who shall not fear? (τιςουμηφοβηθηι;). Rhetorical question with ουμη (double negative) and first aorist passive subjunctive of φοβεομα future passive in Jeremiah 10:7).

And glorify (καδοξασε). Change here to the future indicative instead of the aorist subjunctive, as often. Cf. Psalms 86:9.

Thou only art holy (μονοςοσιος). Both predicate adjectives, “Thou art alone holy.” God alone is perfectly holy (16:5).

Shall come (ηξουσιν). Future active of ηκω.

And worship (καπροσκυνησουσιν). Future active of προσκυνεω. Both from Psalms 86:9.

Have been made manifest (εφανερωθησαν). Prophetic first aorist passive indicative of φανεροω. This martyr’s song has the ring of great poetry.

Revelation 15:5

The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony (οναοςτηςσκηνηςτουμαρτυριου). Charles calls this “strange” language. Probably the tabernacle or tent of witness (Numbers 9:15; Numbers 17:7) is in mind and the tent of meeting (Exodus 27:21 rather than the temple in Jerusalem.

Was opened (ηνοιγη). Second aorist passive indicative of ανοιγω as in 11:19. For ναος see Revelation 3:12; Revelation 7:15; Revelation 14:15; Revelation 14:17; Revelation 16:1; Revelation 16:17.

Revelation 15:6

There came out (εξηλθαν). Second aorist active indicative of εξερχομα with -αν rather than -ον. Proleptic and prophetic aorist.

The seven angels (οεπτααγγελο). Those in verse 1.

The seven plagues (ταςεπταπληγας). The bowls are not given them till verse 7.

Arrayed (ενδεδυμενο). Perfect passive participle of ενδυω.

With precious stone pure and bright (λιθονκαθαρονλαμπρον). Accusative case retained with verb of clothing as so often, literally “with a stone pure bright.” For both adjectives together see Revelation 19:8; Revelation 19:14. Some MSS. read λινον (linen). For λιθον see Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:16; Ezekiel 28:13.

Girt (περιεζωσμενο). Perfect passive participle of περιζωννυω. See 1:13 for both participles. For στηθος (breast) see Lu 18:13.

With golden girdles (ζωναςχρυσας). Accusative case after the perfect passive participle περιεζωσμενο as in 1:13.

Revelation 15:7

Seven golden bowls (επταφιαλαςχρυσας). Golden saucers, but not full of incense as in 5:8, but “full (γεμουσας for which see 5:8) of the wrath of God who liveth for ever and ever” (τουθυμουτουθεουτουζωντοςειςτουςαιωναςτωναιωνων). Portents of dreadful events.

Revelation 15:8

Was filled with smoke (εγεμισθηκαπνου). First aorist passive indicative of γεμιζω (from γεμω), to fill full, and with the genitive καπνου (smoke). Smoke is here the symbol of God’s presence (Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 6:5).

Till should be finished (αχρτελεσθωσιν). Temporal clause for future time with αχρ (equal to εως in import) and the first aorist passive subjunctive of τελεω, a metaphorical and symbolic “smoke screen” to keep all out of the sanctuary for the time being.