Chapter Fifteen

So far we have completed four sections of the book of Revelation. In the first three chapters we saw the introduction plus letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. Chapters four through eight contained seven seals which were opened to reveal the plan of God. Seven trumpets, representing the warning or announcing of the upcoming judgment, were sounded in chapters eight through eleven. In the fourth section (chapters 12-14) we were introduced to three adversaries of God and His people. In the next section we will have the pouring out of seven cups or bowls, representing the carrying out of the judgment that has been revealed and announced.

But, before viewing the pouring out of the bowls, we are presented with a vision. Remember that every section begins with a vision.

In the first verse of chapter 15, seven angels are prepared to pour out the wrath contained in the seven bowls. But, first, John provides a picture of those who have been victorious standing on the sea of glass. At the beginning of the book John stood with a sea of glass between himself and the throne. Here, at least in the King James and New American Standard translations, the saints are pictured standing on the sea. Later we will find that the sea is no more. If the sea represents separation from God, notice the movement toward the throne as the book progresses. This is exactly what the early Christians needed to hear to give them courage.

Over what have these saints been victorious? Verse two says they have come off victorious from the beast, from his image and from the number of his name.

These bond-servants of God are singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.

After God had led the Israelites out of Egypt, taken them across the Red Sea on dry land and destroyed their enemy behind them, Moses composed a song of praise and thanksgiving. This song is recorded in Exodus 15. The point of the song is that God has delivered His people from captivity and given them freedom. This is the same message that is given to Christians. The Lord has delivered them from slavery to sin and given them freedom.

Perhaps the song of the Lamb is the one recorded in Revelation 5:9-13. In any case, the message is the same: God is our deliverer.

As John watches, the sanctuary is opened and the seven angels exit. They are dressed in priestly garments. One of the four living creatures gives them the seven bowls which are filled with the wrath of God. Limited measures have been taken in previous chapters to warn and hopefully cause people to repent. But the time for limited measures is past. What we have now is God's wrath filled to the brim.

The temple fills with smoke, which was not an uncommon occurrence in the Old Testament as we find in Exodus 40:34, 1 Kings 8:10-11 and 2 Chronicles 5:13-14. The common result in all these cases is that no one can enter the temple. In other words, God cannot be approached or petitioned.

In previous sections of the book of Revelation we have seen attempts to cause people to repent before it is too late. Now that time has arrived. It IS too late.

It is too late for them to listen to and obey the truth that would have set them free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."