REVELATION
SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 15.1
Gleanings
from the Book of Revelation:
A
Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series
The
REVELATION
TO JOHN
(The
Apocalypse)
Chapter
Fifteen
The
Great Tribulation
The
Seven Trumpets
Judgment
Resumed
7. Trumpet Number 7 (Woe Number 3)
Introduction
Chapter
15 is the shortest in Revelation. The final three and one-half years of the Tribulation
are rapidly approaching its conclusion. In the original manuscript of John’s
writing, there are no chapter breaks. Chapter 15 is a continuation of Chapter
14 where the closing scenes of the harvest are presented. But concurrently, it
is a dramatic preparatory chapter connecting with Chapter 16.
Both
chapters are compared below:
A. Chapter 15 - The Prelude to final wrath
B.
Chapter 16 - The
Pouring of final wrath
A. Chapter 15 - Christ prepares the seven bowls
B. Chapter 16 - Christ executes the seven bowls
The
scene describes martyred saints standing before the Throne of God in praise as
seven angels, rather than worshipping Him, are given seven bowls filled with judgment
by one of the four living beings. As the drama approaches its climax, the final
outpourings comprise the seventh trumpet. Subsequently, the narrative
chronology of Tribulation advances until the third parenthesis of Chapters 17
through 19.
A Paradox
From
the initial execution and continuing expressions of the wrath of God throughout
the Old Testament down to the inevitable wrath that looms on the horizon, God
is busily working to bring sinners to salvation:
2 Peter
3:9 - The Lord is not slack (slow)
concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance
[emphasis added].
Outline
1. The
Sign in Heaven (Vv. 1 - 2)
2. The
Songs of Moses and the Lamb (Vv. 3 – 4)
3. The
Scene in Heaven (Vv. 5 - 8)
(Verse
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.
1. The Sign in Heaven
Sign
Still a spectator, John writes, “I saw another sign.” The Greek word for sign (sēmeion) is the same used for wonder and appears thrice:
1. The Suffering Woman – Israel
(Revelation 12:1)
2. The Great Red Dragon – Satan
(Revelation 12:3)
3. The Seven Angels having Seven Plagues (Revelation
15:1)
This sign involves much more than
anything that has ever been seen. Mega Kai
Thumaston is translated as great, and marvelous, an unparalleled, exceedingly astounding great
marvel. The wonder in Heaven he sees are seven angels holding seven bowls
filled with seven final plagues.
Angels
Not to be confused with any other group of
angels, these seven have an assigned task. Previously their mission was to
minister to saints on Earth:
Hebrews
1:14 - Are they
(angels) not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
But now they serve as special agents about to
inflict deadly wrath upon the wicked unredeemed of the earth.
Plagues
The
word plagues interestingly appear in
the Greek emphatic position thus denoting the
last ones. The idea describes death blows, the most horrific works ever to
be seen.
For in them is filled up the wrath of God
In
these plagues the expression of God’s rage is complete. The phrase is filled up renders “was finished.” The
verb appears in the prophetic aorist tense signifying the future has already
occurred – An absolute certainty the will of God is accomplished.
(Verse 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.
Sea of Glass
Sea
of glass portrays peace,
calmness, and stability. Indicating a new phase of the vision, John
additionally beholds a sea of glass, not of water, but like
(i.e., a simile) a clear crystal platform protruding from the Throne of God and
mingled with fire. Previously
the imagery was indescribably beautiful and transparent, indicative of the
glory of God (cf. Revelation 4:6). Ezekiel saw something very similar as well:
Ezekiel 1:22 - And the likeness of the
firmament (expanse) upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible (awesome)
crystal, stretched forth over
their heads above.
However,
here John perceives a diamond crystal-like molten sea mingled with fire,
representative of an accumulating fury of divine vengeance.
Again,
fire in Scripture is symbolic of judgment. Scriptural references comprise:
1. Hail
mingled with fire on the Egyptians (cf. Exodus 9:24)
2. Chaff
waiting to be consumed in fire (cf. Matthew 3:12)
3. God
is a consuming fire (cf. Hebrews 12:29)
Two
groups are thus described:
A. The
unbelievers who will imminently meet the wrath of God and eternal judgment
B. The
saints standing before the Throne of God who acknowledges His justice and truth
One
group is on the way to Heaven and the other is traveling on a highway to Hell.
And them (those) 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.
The
simile is suggestive of the deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea, emphasizing
the safety of the redeemed. Hence, in view are future glorified martyred saints
that gained victory over:
A. The
beast (Antichrist)
B. The
image of the beast (icon, idol, or symbol of Antichrist)
C. The
mark of the beast (stamp, etching on hand or forehead)
D. The
number of the name of the beast (666)
Their
footing is firm on a crystal platform prepared to spectate God avenge His
people. The phrase stand on the sea
implies martyred saints resting in anticipation. These are those who have been tried in the fire (cf. Revelation 3:18) and
redeemed for their faith (cf. 1 Peter 1:7). Paul further clarifies of himself:
Philippians 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
The
Harps of God
Generally,
instruments are always associated with the praise and worship of God. For
example, David annunciates:
Psalm 144:9 - I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon
a psaltery and an instrument of
ten strings (decachord)
will I sing praises
unto Thee.
Only
two instruments are mentioned in Revelation, (1) Trumpets and (2) harps
(lyres). While trumpets are used principally for announcements (cf. Revelation
15-16 for judgments), harps, psalteries, lutes, and lyres serve as
accompaniments to singing (cf. Revelation 5:8; 14:2). Accordingly, harps are
tailored in different shapes and sizes having eight to ten strings.
2. The Songs of Moses
and the Lamb
(Verse 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.
Victory Songs
Old Testament
Songs of Victory have been duly crafted
to honor and glorify God. They are reminiscent of prominent historic occasions
throughout Israel’s history. The top three embrace:
1. The Song
of Moses commemorates the greatest deliverance of God’s people after they safely crossed the Red Sea (cf. Exodus
15: 1-18)
2. The Song
of Deborah and Barak when they celebrated Israel’s defeat over the
Canaanites (cf. Judges 5:1-31)
3. The
Song of Solomon
(also known as the Song of Songs) is
the greatest love song penned by Solomon detailing the unabashed celebration of
love between a man and a woman.
Ultimately it points to the marriage
between the bride (the Church) and the Bridegroom (Jesus).
The New Testament
Applying to unbelievers, Revelation is
normally considered a book of apocalyptic judgments and horrors. On the other
hand, for believers, it consists of numerous praise and worship songs and
chants:
1. Previously in Revelation 5 the song
sung by ten thousand times ten thousand angels are Worthy is the Lamb; accompanied by twenty-four elders and four
living creatures playing harps (cf. Revelation 5:8-12). Immediately following,
every creature above, on, and below the earth and in the sea join in with a
second stanza. The four living beings then conclude with an Amen (cf. 5:13-14), followed by
twenty-four elders prostrating themselves as a gesture of worship.
2. In the text, the Song of the Lamb (Revelation 15), the crowd of the redeemed saints
of Tribulation is observed standing before the Throne of God having full
assurance the Lord God Almighty is faithful to avenge their blood and His covenantal
promise of preserving His remnant. So accompanied by the harpers they break
forth in praise joining the heavenly chorus.
3. Later, the Wedding Feast Song is sung at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (read Revelation 19:6b-8).
Two distinct songs in this scene
comprise an ascription of praise in Chapter 15:
A. The Song of Moses
B. The Song of the Lamb
Although two choirs are heard singing,
together with both incorporate, an Old and New Testament heritage: One of covenant
Israel and the other under New Covenant saints. Interestingly, the lyrics blend
into the same, only sung in two-part harmony. Further analysis is notated.
The
Song of Moses
And
The
Song of the Lamb
(Verse 3)
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.
(Verse 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.
Verses 3 and 4 consists of a lyrical
refrain of the songs. The Key: All the
nations shall come in praise and worship before Christ and sing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb. Together these songs
are entirely comprised of quotations from various writers of the Psalms. Notice
the contrast:
Psalm
92:5 - O LORD, how great are Thy works! and Thy
thoughts are very deep.
Psalm 111:2 - The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Psalm 98:1 – O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvelous (wonderful) things: His right
hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.
Psalm 139:14 – I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that
my soul knoweth right well
.
Psalm 145:17 – The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.
Psalm 86:9 – All nations whom
Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord; and shall glorify Thy name.
Psalm 99:3 – Let them praise Thy great and terrible
name; for it
is holy.
Psalm 86:9 – All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and
they will glorify Your name.
Psalm 98:2 - The LORD hath made known His salvation: His righteousness (righteous judgments) hath
He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
So, songs sung on earth mirror those of Heaven.
Thou King of saints
The phrase Thou King of saints is a tag at the end of verse 3. Other versions
translate:
A. The King of the Ages
B. The King of all people
Either way, rendered, Jesus fits all
three titles. Saints (hagios) are defined as holy or
consecrated ones. Therefore the intent of its meaning is all-inclusive, i.e.
Messianic Israel and also new Gentile converts of Tribulation. Representing the
faithfulness of God, the transfigured saints will hail and praise Him eternally
as such. The songs embrace the words of Christ:
Matthew
16:25 - For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it (i.e.,
one’s life).
The Songs Compared
A. The Song
of Moses was first sung by the Red Sea
B. The Song
of the Lamb is sung at the Crystal Sea
A. The Song
of Moses was sung over Egypt
B. The Song
of the Lamb is sung over Babylon
A. The Song
of Moses: How God Brought His People
out
B. The Song
of the Lamb: How God Brings His People in
A. The Song
of Moses was Scripture’s first song
B. The
Song of the Lamb is Scripture’s last
song
Avenging angels are examined in a
preparatory scene before the Temple of God in Heaven and before the outpouring
bowls of wrath in Chapter 16 throughout the following study.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is paradoxical regarding the wrath of God?
2. What sign does John see in this chapter?
3. What is different about the angels in this chapter?
4. Identify the two songs in Chapter 15.
5. How do they relate to the Old Testament?
6. How are trumpets and harps employed in Revelation?
7. Why is the phrase King of the saints used?
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