Go to Homepage

Commentary Index

Introduction to the 15^th Chapter:

In this chapter we will get a look at seven angels that have the seven last plagues of the wrath of God.

We also see a group of people who go through a fiery test to overcome the Antichrist, a group of Jewish people who are born again and faithful unto death.

This to remind us that God will avenge his people who are killed and persecuted for his name sake. He will not tarry but will fight for his people whether they be Jew or Gentile.

1: And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
The plagues that these angels have are the complete measure of God’s wrath on the Antichrist and his people because they are killing the saints. The Antichrist hates anyone who is a Gentile or Jew who believes and trust in Jesus.

2: And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
John saw a sea of glass mingled with fire. This is the same sea of glass that we saw in the fourth chapter of Revelation that sits before the throne of God. Only in this scene the sea of glass is mingled with fire. To explain what this is, it is important to mention another sea that sit in Solomon’s temple. It was a sea made of bronze and held ten thousand gallons of water. It was used by the priest who did service to God in the temple to wash their hands and feet before entering the temple to do their daily ministry to God.

The sea of glass is the same thing it represents a type of washing for the born again believer who is trusting in Christ. It represents the Gospel and the blood of Jesus. We are kings and priests in the kingdom of God. We must be washed before we can do our daily service to God. This sea is full of the waters of his word. Jesus has spoken and the blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Our sins are cast into this sea to be remembered no more.

This particular scene shows someone standing in the midst of this sea and the sea is mingled with fire. With this group of people we are seeing two types of cleansing. One is that this group of people has been washed in the blood of Jesus. The other is that they are being cleansed or purged by fire. Which is a definition of the fiery test or trials that they are made to endure. The fact that they are standing on this sea is the same as Peter walking the sea with Jesus. They are standing, which means that they have endured this trial and have won the victory.

3: And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
This group of over-comers is singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. This is very important when it comes to identifying who these people are. The fact that they are singing the song of the Lamb identifies them as Christians.

The fact that they are singing the song of Moses identifies them as Jews. The reason for this is explained by the fact that the council of the Disciples in the 15^th Chapter of the book of Acts explains this. They came together to see if the Gentiles were commanded to keep the Law of Moses or not. It was determined that they were not required to do so. Only a few suggestions were made such as not eating blood or committing fornication.

These born again Jews are praising God because he is just and wise in his decisions. Most American Christians are not prepared to give their lives or to go through persecution for the namesake of Christ, but these Jews who have been converted to Christ are. I believe that this could be the 144,000 plus other Jews who are saved during the ministry in the nations of the Antichrist during the last 3 ½ years. Which is the same amount of time that the plagues that are called the seven last plagues in this chapter will be poured out.

4: Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
These saints begin to praise God and to remind the Lord that the time will come that all men will fear him. We know in the scripture that the time will come that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the Father. All nations will worship God before it is over and everyone will know the judgments of God.

5: And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
The temple of the tabernacle of testimony can only be about those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ. A place in a sense like a hall of fame, but rather a hall of all of those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ and a record of those who die and will die for this testimony. Not only those who are martyred but of those who are persecuted for the testimony of Jesus Christ. This is why we see the seven coming out of this temple in the next verse. They have been looking at the horrible things that has happened to God’s people because of their faithfulness to share the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Gospel.

6: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
John then saw the seven angels come out of the temple of testimony having in their possession the seven last plagues to pour out on those who are killing and persecuting God’s people.

Notice that they are dressed similar to Jesus. They are wearing pure white linen and their chest area is covered with a golden girdle, or wrap that goes around them. This is similar to the clothing of Christ in Revelation 1:13 and shows that these are angels that are sent from his presence to do this task that must be done. This is to warn the Antichrist that Jesus is unhappy with what he is doing to God’s people.

7: And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
It is only a guess at which one of the four beasts gives the seven golden vials full of the wrath of God to the seven angels.

8: And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
No man is able to enter into the temple of the tabernacle of testimony because the presence of God is too great. God fills this temple because of his love for those who are being persecuted for preaching the Word and God and sharing how Jesus has changed their lives. God will give this a special priority over the last 3 ½ years until all of these plagues have been poured out upon the Antichrist and his nations.

God Bless You
Tommie Spurgeon

Printer-Friendly version..