The Book Of Revelation (Revelation 15)

We have looked so far at the:

• Seven Seal Judgments

• Seven Trumpet Judgments

And now we want to look at the seven Vial Judgements (Also known as the Bowl Judgments)

Chapter 15 is an introduction to these last seven and final plagues on wicked mankind.

Such as:

• Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden brought the entire human race under judgment.

• In Noah's days, people had turned so wicked, that God sent the judgment of the flood to destroy the entire world except eight people, Noah, his three sons and their wives.

• Centuries of disobedience and wickedness by the Jewish people eventually led to their judgment and captivity.

(1) First the northern 10-1/2 tribes (in 722 B.C.), by the Assyrian Empire.

(2) Then the southern kingdom of Judah (in 586 B.C.), by the Babylonian Empire.

• Cities named Sodom and Gomorrah was completely destroyed by God’s judgment with fire and brimstone.

Now in Chapters 15 and 16 we see the final outpouring of God's wrath before Christ's return.

All seven vial judgments are poured out in chapter 16.

That wrath is expressed by the effects of the seventh trumpet which was opened in chapter (11:15), which is very short and begins the introduction to those last seven judgments.

Revelation 15:1 "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God."

The “wrath of God” began:

• With the seven seals (chapter 6), a

• And will be finished with the “seven last plagues”, which are the seven vials (verse 7).

This chapter in the book of Revelation sets the stage for the last seven vial judgments that cover the last three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation which are described (in Revelation chapter 16).

The seven angels prepare to administer the last seven Tribulation judgments of Christ (the seven vials).

Vials are actually shallow bowls (these are also called the bowl judgments), used for pouring beverages.

The bowls are full of the wrath of God. We read about that wrath in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

God has the right to judge, because He is the Eternal incense that filled the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle. Until the seven plagues are finished, no one is able to enter into the temple.

The time for intercession is past; God's judgment will now be completed.

These plagues are really the wrath of God which occurs the last 3-1/2 years of the seven years of the Great Tribulation.

This "seven" just means this is the end. The wrath of the devil is bad, but to fall into the hands of Almighty God and have His wrath fall on unbelievers is the very worst thing that could happen to anyone.

These plagues will conclude with the wrath of God on sinful mankind for rejecting His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The last seven plagues indicate that these are in order and this finishes the 21 total plagues on mankind before the end of time.

Revelation 15:2 "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God."

We see here a "sea of glass". A "sea" symbolizes great numbers of people sometimes.

The term “Sea of glass” that represents people is hard for some to understand how SEA OF GLASS could represent people.

Illus: Let me explain, have you ever been on a ship out in the ocean and no land was in sight. As you looked at the ocean all you could see is water.

Pastor Belger explain this sea of glass this way.

He was ask to address a huge church of 6,000 people. He said it was like he was standing alone, yet in the pulpit and all he could see was SEA OF GLASS of people. He said it was the same thing as standing on a ship and all you can see is water!

When a preacher is preaching to a congregation 100 to 500 he sees individuals, but when you get into the thousands all you see is the top of heads and goes on and on.

When John talks about the multitude of people here was like looking at a SEA OF GLASS.