CHAPTER FIFTEEN

In verse 1 John sees another sign in heaven. And we are told that this sign is a “great and marvelous” one. The thing that makes it so “great and marvelous” is the fact that these “seven angels” have “the seven last plagues” that are to be poured out upon this old sinful world. If we are not very careful we will, because of our pity on the hell deserving people on this earth, think this sign is “great and marvelous” because it means the soon coming end of the awful tribulation. But not so with God. In His sight, this sign is “great and marvelous” because it completely does the job He wants done. We have pity upon someone who is suffering and wish we could do something about it. God has mercy upon whom He will have mercy, and He does something about it. So this sign is great because it completes God’s wrath against a wicked world system. It certainly does not mean that the wicked people on the earth will not suffer the wrath of God anymore. They will suffer His wrath throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. But as an evil world system, they are to suffer the completed wrath of God.

In verse 2 we see what looks like “a sea of glass”. We are not told that it is a sea of glass, but that it looked like one. In chapter 4 and verse 6 we saw this same scene except that in 4:6 it was clear as “crystal”. Here in 15:2 it is “mingled with fire”. In 4:6 it was not occupied, but here in 15:2 we see the martyred tribulation saints “on”, or over “the sea of glass”.

In 4:6 it was our contention that the sea of glass was a type of the Word of God. The Word is for our cleansing, Psalms 119:9, John 15:3 and Ephesians 5:26. And though the sea of glass in 4:6 was not occupied, still we are told that “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” Psalms 119:89. But here in 15:2 these martyred saints are standing on it. And what a firm foundation the precious word of God makes. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away,” Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31 and Luke 21:33. And Isaiah said (40:8), “The word of our God shall stand for ever.”

Here in verse 2 we learn that these saints are the ones who “had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name”. But we should not go too far here and give these saints too much credit for their victory. They get this victory as a gift from God. He does not offer His people salvation; He gives it to them, John 10:28, Romans 6:23. These saints have harps, and in verse 3 we hear them singing. They sing two songs. One is the song of deliverance and the other is the song of redemption.

At the end of this verse we see the expression “King of saints,” but in all other versions that I know it is either “King of nations” or “King of ages.” I know that in one sense He is “King of saints”, but I prefer to think of Him as our Lord today. As our Lord He can reward us for our faithfulness. But in the coming day when He sits upon His father David’s throne in Jerusalem as “King of kings” to rule the nations “with a rod of iron”, rewards will not be in order. You do not reward people for doing what they are forced to do. And there won’t be any “honey, will you please do this, or that” when He takes up that rod of iron.

In verse 4 we see all nations coming and worshipping before our Lord. And two reasons are given as to why they will do this. One is because He alone is Holy. The other is because His judgments are made manifest, or made known. Some come and worship Him because they want to do so. The others come and worship Him because they are afraid of those judgments.

In verse 5 we see “the Temple of the Tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” In 11:19 we saw “the Temple of God” open. And in this Temple we saw “the Ark of His testimony”. Here in 15:5 it seems to be the same Temple. Here we are probably permitted to see into the Holy of Holies. And from this Temple seven angels come. And we are told that these angels have the seven plagues. These plagues are the vial, or bowl judgments that we are to see in chapter 16.

Some great scholars say these angels are priest angels. But, to me, a priest is one who offers sacrifice for sin. These angels are not offering a sacrifice for sin. They are pouring out judgment on a sinful world. J. A Seiss tells us that these are priest angels. And he gives their dress as a reason for his calling them priest angels. But their dress is one of my reasons for saying they are not priest angels. It is my conception that the priest wore his girdle about his loins, but these angels have their girdles about their breasts. So it would seem that these are magisterial girdles rather than priestly ones. Is it not the judge, or magistrate who wears his girdle about the breast?

One of the living creatures (not beasts) gives these angels the seven vials (should be bowls) full of the wrath of God. Please note that it does not say seven bowls full of the love of God. Most modern day preachers do not seem to know God is capable of wrath. But here we see seven bowls full of His wrath. Seven is the number of completion. So in this we see the complete wrath of God being poured out upon this old sinful world.

Then when we come to verse 8 we see the glory of God outwardly manifested by the smoke that comes from His glory and His power. When Moses had finished the Tabernacle we see in Exodus 40:34-35 that “a cloud covered the tent”. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of the congregation because of the cloud. Then when Solomon had completed the Temple, and had brought the dedicated vessels and the Ark into the Temple, “the cloud filled the house of the LORD”. And in I Kings 8:11 we find that the priests were not able to minister because of the cloud. When God was pleased with a thing, His glory was manifested by the cloud but when He is pouring out His fury upon His enemies, His glory and power will be manifested by smoke. What a contrast this is.