AM Bible Study Group; September 23, 2009
Revelation 15:1-8
Theme: Before the outpouring of God’s just wrath upon the earth, a great prelude of praise to Him will occur in the heavens. .
People often turn their noses up at the passages in the Scripture that describe God’s just outpouring of wrath. But here, in this morning’s passage, we find that the saints in the heavens—glorified and fully delivered from the taint of any sin—sing a song of praise to God just before the outpouring of that wrath. Clearly, heaven’s view of God’s just wrath is far different from that of sinful man.
This passage presents us with a “sign”—the third in the book of Revelation (12:1, 3). This passage parallels that of 7:9-17, where the saints are praising God for His deliverance in the heavenlies.
I. THE NATURE OF THE SIGN (v. 1).
A. This is said to be “another sign”—that is, distinct from what has preceded it (see 14:14-20). But this sign is indicated in a remarkable way. It is a “great and marvelous” sign. It’s significance is told to us through the fact that it describes the completion of the wrath of God that will characterize the end times.
B. The sign involves seven angels who are given seven “plagues”. The word translated “plague” doesn’t necessarily mean a disease. Rather, it can describe a “blow” or a “wound” inflicted by a blow. They are called the “last” plagues; because much of what has preceded them have been plagues as well, and they bear a similarity to the plagues that God brought upon Egypt long ago (see Exodus 7-12; especially 11:1).
II. THE WORSHIP THAT SURROUNDS THE SIGN (vv. 2-4).
A. John next sees something like a sea of glass. This sea is probably meant to bring to mind the laver that was before the altar in the temple of old. It is meant to express purity. But note also that it is mingled with fire, which is meant to express purity brought about through the fires of trial (see also 4:6). Here, it seems to be a platform that sets before the throne of God.
B. Upon this sea of glass stands the saints who have come out of the great tribulation. They are described as having won victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name. Note also that these saints are given harps of God—indicating that their worship is not a product of man but of God Himself.
C. They sing the song of Moses (which is a song of deliverance—see Exodus 15), and the song of the Lamb (which is a song of redemption). The themes described in the words of their song have similarity to Exodus 15:11 and 14; and also to the words of Psalm 66. Note that they glorify God because His “judgments have been manifested”.
III. THE CEREMONY OF THE SIGN (v. 5-7).
A. The sight of the saints praising God is followed by the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle in the heavens opening, and the seven angels coming out. Each is clothed in pure bright linen, and each have a golden band about their chest. This is a ceremony of a most sacred and holy nature.
B. One of the four living creatures (see 4:6-9) gives to each of the angels a bowl filled with the wrath of God. He is described as the God “who lives forever and ever”; and so, who could ever argue with His wrath?
IV. THE HOLINESS SURROUNDING THE SIGN (v. 8).
A. The temple was filled with smoke during this ceremony. This smoke is like that of the temple of old when God made a significant appearance (Exodus 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:10-11; Isaiah 6:1-4).
B. Because of this smoke, no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues had been poured out by the angels. This is no small matter with God. It’s as if the business of heaven comes to a stop until this matter is completed.