Revelation 15:1-8 – Preparation before the final plagues

Having completed the somewhat lengthy parenthesis from chapters 12-14, John now returns to talk about the final series of seven – the seven bowls of wrath. Here John saw a great and marvelous sign. It shows seven angels with seven plagues, the final series of seven to be poured out. With these seven, the wrath of God is complete. This series of bowls anticipate the final judgement. It is interesting to note that in Revelation we see the experience in Exodus being used as typology.

Prior to talking about the seven bowls, John saw a sea of glass, like the one that was seen in Revelation 4:6. It is probably a symbol of the complete purity of God’s presence. However, here this sea is mingled with fire. It is likely to be describing the glorious brightness of God. And here on this sea of glass are overcomers. These are the people who did not succumb to the beast and his image, and the numbers of his name, the 666. They are those who stood with the Lamb and were fearless even unto death. So they now stand on the glass of sea, holding the harps of God. While the seven angels hold seven bowls of God’s wrath to be poured out, these saints hold harps to render music and song to celebrate God’s worthiness to judge, and His right to receive worship.

The song the saints offered is described as the Song of Moses, the bond servant of the Lord, and the song of the Lamb. Why the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb? It is because of the similarities both songs have. In both situations we see a great and mighty act of the Almighty God. And also both have within its context God taking vengeance against the ungodly and saving His people. Furthermore both also show the righteousness of God. He truly is worthy of worship whether in works, in worth or in wisdom. He is worthy to be worshiped and feared in every way, and His judgment will also reveal that.

Immediately following this scene, another scene appears. In the Throne room in heaven, John saw a tabernacle of witness that is opened. In Moses Tabernacle, the place of witness was where God would come and meet with His people. But this tabernacle of witness in heaven was not for God’s servant or priest to go in and meet God, but to let the seven angels gloriously attired to come out. They would then collect, from one of the four living creatures, the seven golden bowls, full of the wrath of the glorious God. These bowls of God’s wrath are not meant for Egypt but for Babylon, and all in the world that have been taken in by her seductions. What this passage is saying is this: the final showdown is set. The dragon and his two beasts have to be dealt with still. They have led many into their destructive ways. And now the time has arrived for these destroyers to be demolished. This is the purpose of the seven bowls with all its catastrophes, to be followed by the final judgement.  

This chapter rounds up in verse 8, by describing the Temple in heaven as filled with the smoke of the glory of God. This has always been the case. God’s glory is always shrouded with His glory smoke. It happened at Isaiah’s commission (Isaiah 6) and the dedication of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 8). We know the final outcome of the devil and his beasts is nearing. Till that day arrives, when they are finally destroyed, we still need to wise up to their devises. In the meantime, let us deploy our spiritual weapon and be ready to ward off our enemies’ last bastion before his annihilation.