Revelation 15:1-8 Series

Revelation 15:1-8

1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

Seven angel's with seven bowls filled with plagues of wrath. Now just keep in mind chapter 15 is just a lead-up to chapter 16, it's an introduction of sorts.

The words used here “is finished” means more like completed. But this completion doesn't end until the end of Chapter 16, here it is just beginning.

2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.

Back in chapter 4:63 John says “and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal”, Now John makes another reference to a “sea of glass” but this one is much different.

Here is another contrast. Have you ever heard the term “crystal clear”? The sea has changed, it has gone from crystal clear to now fire.

Fire, is normally associated in scripture in two ways, one is of refinement, 1 Peter 4:12-13 ~ Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

The other is of judgment, Matthew 25:41 ~ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

This fire is a fire of judgment.

It goes on to mention that beside the sea of glass and fire are those who had conquered the beast and they had harps of God. Who were these conquerors? They were those who didn't reject Christ, those who didn't worship the image, those who didn't receive the number of his name, those who continued to share the gospel, those who fought the battles both spiritually and physically, those who spoke up against evil and deceit. These are the conquerors....

3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!

4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

This song is a combination of two songs,

Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.

The placement of these last verses is interested, it starts with verse five and six and John seeing the tent opening and revealing what he saw inside.

5 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 6 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests.

John now sees this spectacular sight as he looks up into heaven.

John says at this point that the seven angels came out of the “the sanctuary of the tent of witnesses” and they were dressed with pure bright linen.

The word pure means that it wasn't in any way dyed or contaminated. And around their chests were golden sashes.

It then seems to go back and explain things a little further, putting the scene back into the tent.

7 And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, 8 and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

It goes on to say at this point that one of the living creatures handed each of the seven angels a golden bowl each filled with the wrath of God “who lives forever and ever”.

The words “forever and ever” is to say that this God was the one and only true God.

And God himself being present, and God's glory being so incredible that smoke it says came from it, or because of it, from the glory and power.

As this was happening it was such a great and powerful thing that no one could enter into it other than God, the living creature and the seven angel's couldn't until it was completed and ready to be delivered.