Revelation 15

From the meaning ‘blow’ or ‘stroke’ it comes to be used of misfortunes generally. But there is an air of finality about this description. These plagues are the last earth will know. In them God’s wrath (see note on 14:10) is completed (etelesthē = reaches its telos, its end or aim).

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

“I saw something like a sea of glass”

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

it seems to be a metaphor for God’s holiness, which kept sinful mankind from approaching Him. One day this barrier will be removed

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

There have been numerous theories: (1) it is the reflected setting sun on human history; (2) it represents fire which stands for God’s judgment; (3) it is the blood of the martyrs; or (4) it is connected to the victory at the Red Sea and the Song of Moses since the OT background of chapters 15 and 16 is the plagues of the Exodus (cf. Exod. 7–12; 15).

Those who have Victory

vs. 2&3

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary a. Preliminaries (15:1–8)

Nothing evil can triumph over God’s people.

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

“standing on the sea of glass”

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

This metaphor speaks of those overcomers being close to God. The “sea” in Revelation stands for a separation between a holy God and sinful creation.

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

“And they sang the song of Moses … and the song of the Lamb”

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

This shows the unity of the old covenant and the new covenant in this song of redemption.

where Moses thanks God for the defeat of Pharaoh at the Red Sea

Exodus 15:1–19 NKJV

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: “I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. The Lord is a man of war; The Lord is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone. “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces. And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. And with the blast of Your nostrils The waters were gathered together; The floods stood upright like a heap; The depths congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, My hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with Your wind, The sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters. “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them. You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation. “The people will hear and be afraid; Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, Trembling will take hold of them; All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away. Fear and dread will fall on them; By the greatness of Your arm They will be as still as a stone, Till Your people pass over, O Lord, Till the people pass over Whom You have purchased. You will bring them in and plant them In the mountain of Your inheritance, In the place, O Lord, which You have made For Your own dwelling, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.” For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

The Song of Moses

vs.3&4

Revelation 15:3b–4 NKJV

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”

What does the song of Moses speak to you?

Happenings in the Tabernacle

vs.5-8

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

“the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened”

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

In 4:1 a door in heaven was opened for John; in 11:19 the Ark of the Covenant appeared in the temple for believers to see. Now the entire heavenly tabernacle appears

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

This symbolizes the second, ultimate exodus from bondage (bondage to sin).

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary a. Preliminaries (15:1–8)

When this sanctuary was opened there came out the seven angels who had the seven plagues. These plagues thus come with the fullest divine sanction, for they are brought by angels who have come from the very presence of God.

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary a. Preliminaries (15:1–8)

They are clothed in clean shining linen

When this sanctuary was opened there came out the seven angels who had the seven plagues.

These plagues thus come with the fullest divine sanction, for they are brought by angels who have come from the very presence of God.

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

These are obviously very powerful angels representing God.

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

“seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God”

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

These shallow golden bowls are mentioned in 5:8, where they contain the prayers of the saints. There is a connection throughout Revelation to the prayers of His persecuted children and the wrath of God on unbelievers

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

This was a common OT description of the presence of God (cf. Exod. 19:18; 40:34; 1 Kgs. 8:10–11; Isa. 6:4).

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

Shekinah cloud of glory

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

represented God’s presence to Israel during the Exodus

Hope in Hard Times—The Final Curtain: Revelation Word and Phrase Study

“no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished” This possibly means that there was no stopping God’s wrath once it had begun.

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