Revelation 15:2-8

2 And I saw something like a 1sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had 2been victorious over the 3beast and 4his image and the 5number of his name, standing on the 6sea of glass, holding 7harps of God.
3 And they sang the 8song of Moses, 9the bond-servant of God, and the 10song of the Lamb, saying, "11 Great and marvelous are Your works, 12 O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, 13 King of the nations!
4 "14Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For 15ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR 16RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED."
5 After these things I looked, and 17the temple of the 18tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened,
6 and the 19seven angels who had the seven plagues 20came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and 21girded around their chests with golden sashes.
7 Then one of the 22four living creatures gave to the 23seven angels seven 24golden bowls full of the 25wrath of God, who 26lives forever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with 27smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

Revelation 15:2-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 15

This chapter is a preparation to the pouring out of the seven vials, and contains a vision of the seven angels in heaven that should do this work, of a chorus of harpers on this occasion, and of the same seven angels coming out of the temple, and receiving the vials, in order to execute their commission. The vision of the seven angels, having the seven last plagues, so called because filled up with the wrath of God, is said to be a sign, great and marvellous, Re 15:1 a sea of glass, mingled with fire, is seen, with persons standing on it, described by the victory they had got over the beast, his image, mark, and number of his name; by having the harps of God in their hands, and by the song they sung, called the song of Moses, and of the Lamb; in which they ascribe to Christ deity, dominion over the saints, omnipotence, justice, truth, and holiness; give him glory, celebrate his works, commend his ways, and suggest that he ought to be the object of the fear and worship of all, Re 15:2-4. Next the temple in heaven is seen opened, out of which come the seven angels, described by the place they came from, the temple; by what they had, the seven plagues; by their habit, clothed in pure white linen; and by their golden girdles about their breasts, Re 15:5,6 to whom one of the four living creatures, made mention of in Re 4:6 delivers to them seven golden vials full of divine wrath, upon which the temple is filled with smoke from the Lord; so that it was not possible for anyone to enter into it, until these seven plagues were ended, Re 15:7,8.

Cross References 27

  • 1. Revelation 4:6
  • 2. Revelation 12:11
  • 3. Revelation 13:1
  • 4. Revelation 13:14
  • 5. Revelation 13:17
  • 6. Revelation 4:6
  • 7. Revelation 5:8
  • 8. Exodus 15:1f
  • 9. Joshua 22:5; Hebrews 3:5
  • 10. Revelation 5:9f, 12
  • 11. Deuteronomy 32:3; Psalms 111:2; Psalms 139:14
  • 12. Hosea 14:9; Revelation 1:8
  • 13. 1 Timothy 1:17
  • 14. Jeremiah 10:7; Revelation 14:7
  • 15. Psalms 86:9; Isaiah 66:23
  • 16. Revelation 19:8
  • 17. Revelation 11:19
  • 18. Exodus 38:21; Numbers 1:50; Hebrews 8:5; Revelation 13:6
  • 19. Revelation 15:1
  • 20. Revelation 14:15
  • 21. Revelation 1:13
  • 22. Revelation 4:6
  • 23. Revelation 15:1
  • 24. Revelation 5:8
  • 25. Revelation 14:10; Revelation 15:1
  • 26. Revelation 4:9
  • 27. Exodus 19:18; Exodus 40:34; Leviticus 16:2; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Isaiah 6:4

Footnotes 8

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