Revelation 15

The song of Moses and the Lamb (vs. 1-4)--In one major sense, this chapter sets the stage for the ending of the book. John sees seven angels appear, "having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete" (v. 1). The earlier judgments of the angels (the seals, the trumpets) did not affect all the wicked; the final judgment is approaching, however, with glorious victory for God's people. The "sea of glass" had been introduced in Revelation 4:6, apparently separating God and His people. Now, those "who have the victory over the beast" are "standing on the sea of glass" (v. 2)--getting ever closer to the heavenly Father. Revelation 21:1 says, "There is no more sea." Nothing will separate us from God throughout eternity. These victorious saints in chapter 15 "sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb" (v. 3). The "song of Moses" refers back to Exodus 15, a beautiful ode to God at Israel's deliverance from slavery and the final defeat of the Egyptians—two themes John’s readers would be glad to be reminded of. This current song combines praise for the power of God, His justice, His holiness, and His righteous judgments, which "have been manifested" (v. 4). Those "judgments" had not been fully "manifested" yet; that won't happen until the final Day of Judgment. But they are so certain that the song is sung as if they had already happened.

The seven angels with the seven plagues (vs. 5-8)--John then witnesses seven angels, dressed in pure, exquisite clothing (vs. 5-6) come out of the heavenly temple, having seven plagues which were lodged in "seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever" (v. 7). They are about to pour out these bowls of wrath (mostly in chapter 16). The final scene is an awesome one, with the temple being "filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power" (v. 8). Clouds and smoke often represent the power and splendor of the Almighty. Such a scene as John describes is reminiscent of God's appearance to Israel on the mount: "Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly" (Exodus 19:18). Who can stand before the might, majesty, and power of this unrivaled Deity? No one, and now, in Revelation 15:8, no one was allowed to enter the heavenly temple till the seven plagues were completed. God must finish His work and then He will welcome us into His eternal abode.