Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

15:1–16:21 The third and final cycle of seven judgments (see study note on 6:1–16:21) is introduced with a vision of God’s victorious people singing a hymn of praise (15:2-4). Then a scene of the Temple is presented (15:5-8), from which angels emerge bearing the bowls of God’s judgment upon the earth (16:1-21).

15:1 This cycle of seven last plagues (15:1–16:21) brings God’s wrath against his enemies to completion (see 16:17; Amos 1–2; Rom 1:18–2:16). Revelation returns later to the subjects of God’s wrath (Rev 19:15-21).

Verse 2

15:2 The glass sea mixed with fire symbolizes victory through testing. Those who had been victorious over the beast (see 13:1-8, 15-18) hold harps that represent ultimate peace. Their place on the glass sea (cp. 4:6) symbolizes their endurance in the fire of persecution (cp. Ps 66:12; Isa 43:2; Dan 3:8-30).

Verse 3

15:3-4 The song of Moses and the Lamb signifies that God’s will is united in the old and new covenants.

15:3 The Lord God, the Almighty (see also 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 16:7; 19:6; 21:22): For persecuted Christians, the message that God is all-powerful provides great comfort and security. • The truth that God is also just and true is the foundation of human integrity in the midst of a confused, unjust, and dishonest world. • God is the supreme, universal King of the nations, not a localized deity attached to one nation or to a human monarch with limited authority.

Verse 4

15:4 Who will not fear . . . and glorify your name? This rhetorical question (cp. Jer 10:7) assumes that only a fool would fail to do so (cp. Rev 14:7; 16:9; see Pss 14:1; 53:1). • God alone is holy: See Rev 16:5; Lev 11:44; 1 Pet 1:16. God’s holiness is the basis for our worship and salvation. • All nations will . . . worship: Some will be forced to acknowledge God (cp. Phil 2:10-11), but all will recognize that God’s deeds and judgments have been revealed and are righteous and just.

Verse 5

15:5-6 God’s Tabernacle implies God’s presence (see John 1:14); even the plagues have their source in God’s presence. Christ’s sacrifice (Matt 27:51; Mark 15:38; Heb 6:19-20; 10:19-20) removed the veil between God and humanity (see Exod 26:31-35; Lev 16). Now those who do not belong to Christ experience the full force of God’s presence (see Rev 20:11-15; Isa 13:4-12; Zeph 2:1-3; Mal 3:2-3). • white linen: Linen, a symbol of purity, was also worn by the priests when performing their duties (see Exod 28:39-43; Lev 16:4, 23; see also Ezek 9:2-3; Dan 12:6-7). The function of these angels is not intercession; they are agents of judgment. The linen therefore represents the purity and justice of God’s judgment. • The gold sashes across their chests probably symbolize their divine mission as ministers of justice on God’s behalf (cp. Rev 1:13).

Verse 7

15:7 the four living beings: See 4:6-8. • a gold bowl: These bowls are probably like the offering pans that were used in ancient worship (see Exod 37:16).

Verse 8

15:8 The Temple was filled with smoke as a symbol of God’s glory and power (Isa 6:4; see Exod 19:16-18; 40:34-35; 1 Kgs 8:10-13).