Revelation 15

Listen to Revelation 15

The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues

1 Then 1I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, 2seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
2 And I saw 3what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire--and also those 4who had conquered the beast and its image and 5the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass 6with harps of God in their hands.
3 And they sing 7the song of Moses, 8the servant[a] of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 9"Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! 10Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations![b]
4 11Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are 12holy. 13All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
5 After this I looked, and 14the sanctuary of 15the tent[c] of witness in heaven was opened,
6 and out of the sanctuary came 16the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright 17linen, 18with golden sashes around their chests.
7 And one of 19the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven 20golden bowls full of the wrath of God 21who lives forever and ever,
8 and 22the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and 23no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

Revelation 15 Commentary

Chapter 15

A song of praise is sung by the church. (1-4) Seven angels with the seven plagues; and to them one of the living creatures gives seven golden vials full of the wrath of God. (5-8)

Verses 1-4 Seven angels appeared in heaven; prepared to finish the destruction of antichrist. As the measure of Babylon's sins was filled up, it finds the full measure of Divine wrath. While believers stand in this world, in times of trouble, as upon a sea of glass mingled with fire, they may look forward to their final deliverance, while new mercies call forth new hymns of praise. The more we know of God's wonderful works, the more we shall praise his greatness as the Lord God Almighty, the Creator and Ruler of all worlds; but his title of Emmanuel, the King of saints, will make him dear to us. Who that considers the power of God's wrath, the value of his favour, or the glory of his holiness, would refuse to fear and honour him alone? His praise is above heaven and earth.

Verses 5-8 In the judgments God executes upon antichrist and his followers, he fulfils the prophecies and promises of his word. These angels are prepared for their work, clothed with pure and white linen, their breasts girded with golden girdles, representing the holiness, and righteousness, and excellence of these dealings with men. They are ministers of Divine justice, and do every thing in a pure and holy manner. They were armed with the wrath of God against his enemies. Even the meanest creature, when armed with the anger of God, will be too hard for any man in the world. The angels received the vials from one of the four living creatures, one of the ministers of the true church, as in answer to the prayers of the ministers and people of God. Antichrist could not be destroyed without a great shock to all the world, and even the people of God would be in trouble and confusion while the great work was doing. The greatest deliverances of the church are brought about by awful and astonishing steps of Providence; and the happy state of the true church will not begin till obstinate enemies shall be destroyed, and lukewarm or formal Christians are purified. Then, whatever is against Scripture being purged away, the whole church shall be spiritual, and the whole being brought to purity, unity, and spirituality, shall be firmly established.

Cross References 23

  • 1. [Revelation 12:1, 3]
  • 2. Revelation 16:1; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 21:9
  • 3. Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:18, 21
  • 4. Revelation 12:11
  • 5. Revelation 13:17
  • 6. Revelation 5:8; Revelation 14:2
  • 7. Exodus 15:1; Deuteronomy 31:30
  • 8. See Hebrews 3:5
  • 9. Deuteronomy 32:3, 4; [Job 37:5; Psalms 111:2; Psalms 139:14; Psalms 145:17]
  • 10. Revelation 16:7; Hosea 14:9
  • 11. Revelation 14:7; Malachi 2:2
  • 12. Revelation 16:5; Hebrews 7:26
  • 13. See Psalms 86:9
  • 14. Revelation 11:19
  • 15. Exodus 38:21; Numbers 1:50; Acts 7:44
  • 16. See ver. 1
  • 17. Revelation 19:8
  • 18. Revelation 1:13
  • 19. Revelation 4:6
  • 20. [Revelation 5:8]
  • 21. Revelation 1:18; Revelation 4:9; Revelation 5:13
  • 22. Exodus 40:34; Isaiah 6:4; Haggai 2:7; [1 Kings 8:10, 11; 2 Chronicles 5:13, 14]
  • 23. Exodus 40:35; 1 Kings 8:11

Footnotes 3

Chapter Summary

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.

Revelation 15 Commentaries

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.