Revelation 15:2-8

2 Then I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. I also saw those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and over the one whose name is represented by a number. They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps that God had given them

3 and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ¹ "Lord God Almighty, how great and wonderful are your deeds! King of the nations, how right and true are your ways!

4 Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord? ² Who will refuse to declare your greatness? You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all."

5 After this I saw the temple in heaven open, with the Sacred Tent in it. ³

6 The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, dressed in clean shining linen and with gold bands tied around their chests.

7 Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven gold bowls full of the anger of God, who lives forever and ever.

8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory and power of God, and no one could go into the temple until the seven plagues brought by the seven angels had come to an end. ⁴

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

• 1. 15.3Exodus 15.1.
• 2. 15.4 aJeremiah 10.7; bPsalms 86.9.
• 3. 15.5Exodus 38.21.
• 4. 15.8Exodus 40.34; 1 K 8.10, 11;2 Chronicles 5.13, 14;Isaiah 6.4.

Footnotes

• [a]. nations; [some manuscripts have] ages.