Revelation Chapter 15

Sidebar: The Seven Plague Angels Introduced (Verse 1)

Verse 1

The first verse of this chapter is a sidebar, where we get a glimpse of the seven plague angels in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, awaiting God’s command to pour out the seven last plagues (which takes place in the next section of Revelation). This verse identifies God’s wrath as the seven last plagues (compare with Rev. 14:10,19).

7. The Victorious Remnant on the Sea of Glass (Verses 2 – 4)

The scene changes, and again we see the one hundred and forty-four thousand. This is the same scene as Rev. 14:1-5, but this time the song of the one hundred and forty-four thousand is identified.

Verse 2

The one hundred and forty-four thousand are pictured standing on the sea of glass before God’s throne. The sea of glass appears to be mingled with fire because it reflects God’s glory (Daniel 7:10, Hebrews 12:29). The one hundred and forty-four thousand are here described as having the victory over the end-time forces of evil. Because they have heeded God’s counsels and warnings in the Three Angel’s Messages, they have been able to stand for God during the final crisis and He has delivered them.

Verses 3, 4

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God – Their song of deliverance is compared to that of Moses and the Children of Israel at the Red Sea, after the Egyptian armies were destroyed (Exodus 15).

They sing… the song of the Lamb – Their song is also called the song of the Lamb, because it is Jesus who has delivered and saved them (Rev. 7:9,10). In this song they make no mention of anything they have done, only words of praise to God for His mighty acts that have brought salvation. (SOP 1,2)

SECTION V: Pouring Out of the Seven Last Plagues (Rev. 15:5 – 18:24)

In this section of Revelation, we see God’s judgments upon Babylon in response to her determined rebellion against God’s law and her persecution of God’s faithful remnant.

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Closing of the Heavenly Sanctuary (Rev. 15:5 – 16:1)

Verse 5

The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony – The temple of the tabernacle is the Most Holy Place. There God’s testimony, the 10 Commandments, was kept in the ark (Exodus 25:16). God’s law is called the testimony because it is a witness against the wicked who are being punished, and the source of the plagues that follow.

Was opened – In Revelation 11:19 we saw the Most Holy Place opened at the beginning of the judgment. Here it is again opened for the purpose of pouring out the seven last plagues upon the wicked.

Verse 6

Out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues – The seven last plagues come from the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 5), which symbolizes God’s throne during the judgment. The plagues are God’s response to the anger of the nations (Rev. 14:8,10) intent upon destroying His faithful people.

Clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands – The angels are dressed in priests apparel, like that of Jesus’ in Rev. 1:13. This indicates that these angels have been commissioned by Jesus to do their work.

Verse 7

Seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God – The word ‘bowl’ is the same as in Rev. 5:8, another word for the censer (Rev. 8:3). The plagues are sent in response to the prayers of the saints for relief and justice (Rev. 6:10).

Verse 8

The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power – There was only one time in the services of the tabernacle when the entire temple was filled with smoke. It was at the end of the Day of Atonement, when the censer that was burning in the Most Holy Place was carried by the High Priest out through the Holy Place to the Courtyard, where it was thrown down. This act signaled the end of intercession for sin.

The smoke that filled the temple came from the burning censer. It is said to be from the glory of God because the burning incense represents the merits and intercession of Jesus for repentant sinners. God’s glory is His character, and His character is revealed in the symbol of the smoking censer.

No one was able to enter the temple – Intercession for sinners has now ceased and probation is closed (compare with Hebrews 10:19,22).

Spirit of Prophecy Quotations

1 “When the earthly warfare is accomplished, and the saints are all gathered home, our first theme will be the song of Moses, the servant of God. The second theme will be the song of the Lamb, the song of grace and redemption. This song will be louder, loftier, and in sublimer strains, echoing and re-echoing through the heavenly courts. Thus the song of God’s providence is sung.” -- Heaven, page 177.

2 “What a song that will be . . . the crown of the overcomer is placed upon their heads, and the golden harps are placed in their hands! All heaven is filled with rich music, and with songs of praise to the Lamb. Saved, everlastingly saved, in the kingdom of glory! To have a life that measures with the life of God – that is the reward.” – The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, page 982.