Revelation 15

Revelation 15 introduces seven angels bearing the seven last plagues, which complete the wrath of God. Victors over the beast stand on a sea of glass, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, praising God's holiness and just judgments. The heavenly temple opens, and the angels receive golden vials of God's wrath, after which the temple is filled with smoke, signifying God's presence and the impending judgments.

Chapter 15 begins with a vision of seven angels holding the seven last plagues, signifying the culmination of God's wrath. John then beholds a sea of glass mingled with fire, upon which stand those who have triumphed over the beast, its image, mark, and the number of its name. These victors are equipped with harps and sing a dual song—the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb—extolling the Lord God Almighty for His great and marvellous works, just and true ways, and His singular holiness. They declare that all nations shall fear, glorify, and worship Him as His judgments are made manifest. Following this, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven is opened, and the seven angels emerge, arrayed in pure linen and golden girdles. One of the four living creatures presents them with seven golden vials, each filled with the wrath of God. The temple subsequently fills with smoke, emanating from God's glory and power, rendering it inaccessible until the seven plagues are fully executed.

Revelation chapter 15 opens with a profound vision of "another sign in heaven, great and marvellous," revealing seven angels who are entrusted with the seven last plagues, through which the wrath of God is brought to its completion. John then witnesses a remarkable scene: a "sea of glass mingled with fire." Upon this radiant expanse stand those who have achieved victory over the beast, its image, its mark, and the numerical value of its name. These triumphant individuals are depicted holding the "harps of God," signifying their praise and worship. They collectively intone a powerful anthem, described as "the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb." Their song is a declaration of adoration, proclaiming, "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." They further pose a rhetorical question, "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy." The song anticipates a future where "all nations shall come and worship before thee," because God's righteous "judgments are made manifest." Following this vision of praise, John observes the opening of "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven." From this sacred dwelling, the seven angels, now prepared to execute the plagues, emerge. They are described as being "clothed in pure and white linen," symbolizing their purity and divine commission, and "having their breasts girded with golden girdles," indicating their readiness for service. In a significant moment, one of the four living creatures (beasts) presents each of the seven angels with a "golden vial full of the wrath of God," emphasizing the divine origin and severity of the impending judgments. Immediately after this, the temple becomes "filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power." This smoke serves as a powerful manifestation of God's awesome presence and unapproachable holiness, so much so that "no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled," underscoring the solemnity and inevitability of the divine wrath about to be poured out.