Rev 15 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 15:1-8: 15:1–16:21 The third and final cycle of seven judgments (see study note on 6:1–16:21) is introduced with a vision of God’s victorious people singing a hymn of praise (15:2-4 ). Then a scene of the Temple is presented (15:5-8 ), from which angels emerge bearing the bowls of God’s judgment upon the earth (16:1-21 ). 15:1 This cycle of seven last plagues (15:1–16:21 ) brings God’s wrath against his enemies to completion (see 16:17 ; Amos 1–2 ; Rom 1:18–2:16 ). Revelation returns later to the subjects of God’s wrath (Rev 19:15-21 ).

Summary for Rev 15:1-8: 15:1–16:21 ^a The third and final cycle of seven judgments (see study note on 6:1–16:21) is introduced with a vision of God’s victorious people singing a hymn of praise (15:2-4 ^b). Then a scene of the Temple is presented (15:5-8 ^c), from which angels emerge bearing the bowls of God’s judgment upon the earth (16:1-21 ^d). 15:1 ^e This cycle of seven last plagues (15:1–16:21 ^f) brings God’s wrath against his enemies to completion (see 16:17 ^g; Amos 1–2 ^h; Rom 1:18–2:16 ⁱ). Revelation returns later to the subjects of God’s wrath (Rev 19:15-21 ^j).
15:2 ^k The glass sea mixed with fire symbolizes victory through testing. Those who had been victorious over the beast (see 13:1-8 ^l, 15-18 ^m) hold harps that represent ultimate peace. Their place on the glass sea (cp. 4:6 ⁿ) symbolizes their endurance in the fire of persecution (cp. Ps 66:12 ^o; Isa 43:2 ^p; Dan 3:8-30 ^q).
Summary for Rev 15:3-4: 15:3-4 ^r The song of Moses and the Lamb signifies that God’s will is united in the old and new covenants. 15:3 ^s The Lord God, the Almighty (see also 1:8 ^t; 4:8 ^u; 11:17 ^v; 16:7 ^w; 19:6 ^x; 21:22 ^y): For persecuted Christians, the message that God is all-powerful provides great comfort and security.

• The truth that God is also just and true is the foundation of human integrity in the midst of a confused, unjust, and dishonest world.

• God is the supreme, universal King of the nations, not a localized deity attached to one nation or to a human monarch with limited authority.
15:4 ^z Who will not fear . . . and glorify your name? This rhetorical question (cp. Jer 10:7 ^aa) assumes that only a fool would fail to do so (cp. Rev 14:7 ^ab; 16:9 ^ac; see Pss 14:1 ^ad; 53:1 ^ae).

• God alone is holy: See Rev 16:5 ^af; Lev 11:44 ^ag; 1 Pet 1:16 ^ah. God’s holiness is the basis for our worship and salvation.

• All nations will ... worship: Some will be forced to acknowledge God (cp. Phil 2:10-11 ^ai), but all will recognize that God’s deeds and judgments have been revealed and are righteous and just.
Summary for Rev 15:5-6: 15:5-6 ^aj God’s Tabernacle implies God’s presence (see John 1:14 ^ak); even the plagues have their source in God’s presence. Christ’s sacrifice (Matt 27:51 ^al; Mark 15:38 ^am; Heb 6:19-20 ^an; 10:19-20 ^ao) removed the veil between God and humanity (see Exod 26:31-35 ^ap; Lev 16 ^aq). Now those who do not belong to Christ experience the full force of God’s presence (see Rev 20:11-15 ^ar; Isa 13:4-12 ^as; Zeph 2:1-3 ^at; Mal 3:2-3 ^au).

• white linen: Linen, a symbol of purity, was also worn by the priests when performing their duties (see Exod 28:39-43 ^av; Lev 16:4 ^aw, 23 ^ax; see also Ezek 9:2-3 ^ay; Dan 12:6-7 ^az). The function of these angels is not intercession; they are agents of judgment. The linen therefore represents the purity and justice of God’s judgment.

• The gold sashes across their chests probably symbolize their divine mission as ministers of justice on God’s behalf (cp. Rev 1:13 ^ba).
15:7 ^bb the four living beings: See 4:6-8 ^bc.

• a gold bowl: These bowls are probably like the offering pans that were used in ancient worship (see Exod 37:16 ^bd).
15:8 ^be The Temple was filled with smoke as a symbol of God’s glory and power (Isa 6:4 ^bf; see Exod 19:16-18 ^bg; 40:34-35 ^bh; 1 Kgs 8:10-13 ^bi).