Revelation 15

Revelation 15 is a brief chapter in the Book of Revelation that sets the stage for the pouring out of the seven last plagues. This chapter introduces the "seven angels having the seven last plagues," which represent the fullness of God’s wrath that is to be poured out on the earth. It also features the "song of Moses and the Lamb," sung by those who have gotten victory over the beast and his image. This song praises God for His mighty acts and just judgments.

Revelation 15:1 (NKJV)
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

This verse introduces the final phase of God’s judgment before Christ’s return, marking the transition from the final warning to the execution of divine wrath. John sees another great and marvelous sign in heaven—seven angels with the seven last plagues, in which the wrath of God is complete. The phrase “great and marvelous” emphasizes the significance and finality of these events, as they bring an end to God’s judgments on the wicked. These seven angels represent divine messengers carrying out God’s will, and the seven last plagues signify God’s full and final judgment upon those who have rejected His warnings (Revelation 14:9-11).

Unlike the six trumpets (Revelation 8-9), which were judgments mixed with mercy meant to warn and call people to repentance, these plagues contain God’s wrath unmixed with mercy (Revelation 14:10), meaning probation has closed, and there is no more opportunity for repentance. This confirms that the Three Angels’ Messages (Revelation 14:6-12) were preached during the time of the six trumpets as God’s final warning to the world. By the time the Seventh Trumpet sounds (Revelation 11:15), probation closes, Christ’s intercession ends (Revelation 15:8), and the fate of every person is sealed. The phrase “in them the wrath of God is complete” shows that these plagues are not warnings but the execution of justice upon those who have chosen to follow the beast system. This verse sets the stage for the final crisis, leading directly to the outpouring of the seven last plagues (Revelation 16) and the Second Coming of Christ.

Revelation 15:2 (NKJV)
2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.

This verse describes the victorious 144,000 standing on the sea of glass, having overcome the beast, its image, and its mark. These are the same faithful group from Revelation 14:1-5, who were sealed and remained loyal to God through the final crisis. The sea of glass, mixed with fire, represents both God’s glory and the intense trials they endured during the great tribulation. Despite facing persecution and the enforcement of false worship, they refused the mark of the beast and stood firm in obedience to God. Holding harps of God, they symbolize heavenly joy and victory, reflecting their special status as those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes (Revelation 14:4) and sing a unique song that no one else can learn (Revelation 14:3). This scene contrasts with those who received the mark of the beast and face God's wrath (Revelation 14:9-11), proving that the 144,000 have been fully redeemed and now stand before God in triumph.

Revelation 15:3-4 (NKJV)
3 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!
4 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.”

These verses describe the 144,000 standing victorious, singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb in praise to God. The song of Moses recalls the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 15:1-18), symbolizing God’s power to save His people from oppression. The song of the Lamb represents the victory of Christ’s sacrifice, which redeemed His faithful followers from sin and the final crisis. By singing both songs, the 144,000 acknowledge that their salvation is both physical—deliverance from the beast’s persecution—and spiritual—redemption through Christ. Their song declares God’s works as great and marvelous, recognizing His justice and truth in all His ways. They proclaim, "Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?" affirming that, in the end, all nations will recognize God’s righteousness, especially when His final judgments are revealed. This passage emphasizes the holiness of God, the certainty of His justice, and the assurance that His faithful people will be victorious, standing in His presence as a testimony to His faithfulness.

Revelation 15:5 (NKJV)
5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

This verse marks a significant transition in the heavenly scene, as John sees the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven opened. This phrase refers to the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, where the ark of the covenant is kept, symbolizing God’s law and His justice (Hebrews 8:1-2, Revelation 11:19). The opening of the temple signifies that the final phase of God’s judgment is now about to be completed, as probation has closed and the seven last plagues are about to be poured out. The term “tabernacle of the testimony” connects to the earthly sanctuary, where the law of God was placed inside the ark (Exodus 25:16, Deuteronomy 10:5), reinforcing that God’s judgment is based on His righteous law. This moment reveals that divine justice is about to be fully executed, showing that God’s final judgments are not arbitrary but in harmony with His law and His character. It marks the final stage of the great controversy between good and evil, as God prepares to pour out His wrath upon those who have rejected His truth and followed the beast.

Revelation 15:6 (NKJV)
6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.

The seven angels emerge from the temple, indicating that they are executing divine justice. Their attire of "pure bright linen" with "golden bands" symbolizes purity, righteousness, and holiness, underscoring the sanctity of their mission.

Revelation 15:7 (NKJV)
7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.

This verse describes one of the four living creatures giving the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. Since the seven angels already had the plagues (Revelation 15:1), these bowls likely represent the degree or intensity of each plague, ensuring that God’s judgment matches the level of rebellion and sin. The four living creatures, which are associated with God’s throne (Revelation 4:6-8), may represent groups of recording angels who document human actions, meaning these judgments are not arbitrary but carefully measured according to each person’s deeds. This aligns with Revelation 18:6, where Babylon is punished according to her works, receiving double for her sins. The phrase “full of the wrath of God” emphasizes that these judgments are now final, with no mercy left (Revelation 14:10), meaning every individual will receive exactly what they deserve. The fact that this decree comes from the presence of God confirms that divine justice is perfectly executed, ensuring that rebellion is fully dealt with before Christ’s return.

Revelation 15:8 (NKJV)
8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

This verse describes the temple being filled with the glory of God, preventing anyone from entering until the seven last plagues are completed. The smoke filling the temple signifies God’s presence and power, similar to when His glory filled the earthly sanctuary during significant moments (Exodus 40:34-35, 1 Kings 8:10-11). This event marks the close of probation, meaning that Christ’s intercession in the heavenly sanctuary has ended, and no one can enter to seek mercy or forgiveness. This parallels Revelation 22:11, where the final decision of every soul is sealed—the righteous remain righteous, and the wicked remain wicked. Since no one can enter the temple, there is no more mediation for sin, and the seven last plagues (Revelation 16) must now be poured out. This moment confirms that probation has closed, and God’s judgments will now be executed upon those who rejected His final warnings, ensuring that sin and rebellion are completely dealt with before Christ’s return.