New Testament
Revelation 15
Overview
John sees another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels holding the seven last plagues, "for with them the wrath of God is finished" (15:1). Before the plagues fall, he sees those who had conquered the beast and its image standing beside a sea of glass mingled with fire, harps of God in their hands, singing "the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb" (15:3). Their hymn praises the just and true ways of the King of the nations, anticipating that all nations will come and worship before Him. Then the heavenly temple, "the tent of witness," is opened, and the seven angels come out, clothed in pure bright linen and golden sashes. One of the four living creatures hands them seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, and the sanctuary fills with smoke from the glory of God, so that no one can enter until the seven plagues are finished. This short chapter is the solemn liturgical prelude that arms heaven for the final, climactic outpouring of judgment.
1And 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.
2And 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.
3And 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.
4Who 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.
5And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6And 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.
7And 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.
8And 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.