This chapter stands over every generation, over every tribe and language and people and nation of sinners calling them to fear God and flee to Christ while there’s time.
Wes
This is Episode 21 in our Revelation Bible Study Podcast entitled God Prepares the Final Judgments for Earth, where we’ll discuss Revelation 15:1-8. I’m Wes Treadway and I’m here with Pastor Andy Davis. Andy, what are we going to see in these verses we’re looking at today?
Andy
Revelation 15 is the shortest chapter in the Book of Revelation, and it’s really just a preparatory chapter in which God gets everything ready for the final outpouring of wrath on the earth, as is celebrated. We also see a note of triumph and celebration of those who have been victorious over the beast and over the number of his name, etc. So, there’s heavenly celebration and a heavenly preparation. But it’s a very somber and devastating judgment that’s about to be poured out on earth as we’ll see with the seven bowl judgments that we’ll cover in the next chapter.
Wes
Well, let me go ahead and read Revelation 15:1-8.
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And 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, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
Andy, how does John introduce this chapter?
Andy
He says that he sees in heaven another great and marvelous sign. So, he uses that language a lot, and signs point to a reality of something that’s about to come. Now, for example, the signs that Jesus did were signs of a beautiful world that is coming in the future in which there’ll be no more death, mourning, crying or pain. And so, the signs of healing were pointing to that beautiful and marvelous reality that is yet to come. The sign here is of a judgment that’s about to come, the plagues with which God will complete his wrath poured out on earth. And so that’s a dreadful thing, but the sign is pointing to a reality that hasn’t come yet.
Wes
What’s the significance of the statement concerning these last plagues, with them, God’s wrath is finished or completed?
Andy
Well, it’s going to end at some point. The wrath of God on the wicked planet, planet earth will end. Now, we do believe that there is eternal conscious torment in hell. We’ve talked about that before, especially in chapter 14. So, the wrath of God will never end for those that are condemned, but the completion of the wrath of God here is on earth. There will come an end to the judgments that God is going to pour out on earth for the sins of the human race.
Wes
Now in verse 2, as John unfolds this vision, it says, “I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire.” What does this sea of glass mixed with fire represent?
Andy
Yeah, it’s a very good question. Again and again, in the Old Testament we have an expanse, the Hebrew word is raqia. It looks like a crystal mirror or something like that. And this expanse separates God and his throne from all of creation in Ezekiel 1. So, above the expanse is the throne and one seated on it. In Revelation 4 we have the crystal sea or the sea of glass, et cetera, which is very placid and calm. Very different from the turbulent sea out of which the four beasts come in Daniel 7. And out of which the beast from the sea comes in Revelation 13 in which there’s four winds churning the sea and its turbulent, whereas the sea of glass in Revelation 4 is very placid and calm. But in this case, it’s also, it seems, mingled with fire or tinged with fire.
our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him. He is at peace always. He’s in control always.
And so, I think what it is basically is that boundary between God, the Creator and sovereign King, and all of creation. And that boundary here, generally it’s placid and common, so it gives us a picture of our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him. He is at peace always. He’s in control always. There’s never any churning turbulence in the mind and heart of God. And so, there’s that sense of serenity and orderliness and peacefulness in the mind and heart of God and in the rule of God. But now that’s tinged with fire or mixed with fire, meaning he is at peace within himself, but he’s going to bring the fire of his judgment on earth.
Wes
So, John sees this sea of glass mixed with fire, but he also sees ones who were victorious over the beast and his number. Who are these ones that he sees and how did they triumph?
Andy
Yeah, these are I think believers, they are individuals, peoples who had gone through a time on earth, a time of testing. And they triumphed over the beast and over the dragon by their testimony of Jesus, by the word of their testimony and by their faith. So, these I think are believers who are victorious up in heaven, and they’re standing either beside the sea or even on the sea. The Greek word is epi plus the accusative, generally means on or upon. Some of the translations have upon. So, it’s almost like they’re walking on water, but they’re in that peaceful realm. And they’re there celebrating, they’re praising God, they’re worshiping God. They themselves have been victorious over the beast and over the number of his name and over his image, and they’re worshiping God for what he’s about to do.
Wes
Is that what the harps represent, that they’re holding in their hands of worshipful response to what God has done here?
Andy
Absolutely. I think so. I think, Wes, you know this very well as a skillful worship leader that music is one of the great gifts of God. And so, the harp represents singing and music and celebration, so they’re praising God. You need to realize God is worthy of worship for everything he does, and that includes the wrath that he pours out on the earth. And we’re going to see that in the next chapter when the angels worship God directly for the judgments he’s bringing on earth. When he changes the drinking water into blood, for example, the angels are going to say, “You are right for doing this.” They’re going to celebrate. And so, these victorious saints in heaven are celebrating, they’re singing and they’re praising God for the great mighty deeds that God has done and is doing on earth.
Wes
Now, in verse 3, we’re told that they’re singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. How should we understand this song?
Andy
Yeah, it’s complex. The song of Moses, you get the feeling of after the Red Sea crossing, when Pharaoh’s army has been destroyed, the wall of water has come crashing down on them. And as God said, through Moses to the people, you don’t need to fear because these enemies that you see today, you’ll never see them again. And so, the water comes crashing down, and they are destroyed. And then as soon as that has happened, and the entire nation had crossed over on dry ground and they’re up on the other side on the far shore. And they look back and their enemies are destroyed, they worship. They sing a song of celebration. And so that kind of lines up here. That would be the song of Moses, but it’s also the song of Moses and of the Lamb because they overcame by the blood of Jesus and by their faith in Jesus. So, it really ultimately is a triumph of the Lamb, meaning of Jesus Christ.
Wes
What’s the significance of the question within the song that they sing, “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name?” And how does that question really show the irrationality of sinful rebellion against Almighty God?
Andy
It is amazing, isn’t it? When we look around and we see the beauty and the majesty of creation, we see all the might and power. It says very clearly in Romans 1 that since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse. But how much more when God acts very powerfully in history, especially through the healing miracles that Jesus did and the signs and wonders he did. But even more by now late in the Book of Revelation, when he’s already brought many judgments on the earth. The seven seals have been broken and unleashed what they did. And then the seven trumpets have sounded, and they brought terrible devastation on the earth. These are all massive warning shots coming from heaven to earth. And it’s just a marvel in a very sad and twisted sort of way.
It’s amazing that people can see all this and not see directly the greatness and majesty and power of God. And let’s be clear about it, the folly of fighting such a powerful God. But as you mentioned in your question, it is essentially irrational how human beings, frail, little, tiny human beings can take God on and blaspheme him and curse him and be enraged at him. But that’s exactly what they do when these judgments come on the people. They don’t repent of their wickedness, of their idolatries, or of their evil deeds, they just gnash their teeth and curse God. And so, it’s an amazing thing to those that are worshiping and celebrating God, saying how could it even be that people would not fear such a mighty God?
Wes
We have this incredible picture here of God’s judgment for which he’s praised, but it’s also said that all nations will fear and worship him. How did God’s judgments bring that about?
Andy
God is calling on all nations to come and worship before him. And I think there’s a sense in which they will be in stunned amazement before God, even if they don’t repent.
Well, ultimately there is one human race, though we end up in different pockets of the world and settling in different regions and developing different languages and cultures. Ultimately everything God is doing is for that one human race. And so, all the nations, all the peoples of the earth are called on to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. And to follow him and to enter in the kingdom. And so, the judgments are coming on those who refuse to repent and believe. The judgments are coming on a rebellious human race. And so fundamentally, ultimately, God is calling on all nations to come and worship before him. And I think there’s a sense in which they will be in stunned amazement before God, even if they don’t repent. As it says very famously in Isaiah then quoted in Philippians 2, “Before me every knee will bow, by me every tongue will swear.”
So, all of his enemies will be subjugated or submit to him, though at that point it will be too late for them to do it by faith and to be saved. But basically, fundamentally as they’re worshiping God, they’re saying, “Who will not fear you and bring glory to your name for you alone are holy?” All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed. So, there’s a sense of the wonder and amazement that will come when God does this. But how much better would it be for them to repent of their sins and trust in him before the second coming?
Wes
How does the heavenly tent or tabernacle that John sees next in his vision connect with Hebrews 9:11 which says, “Jesus entered a greater and more perfect tabernacle that’s not manmade, that is not a part of this creation.”
Andy
Right, so that says it very directly. And by the way, you just see again and again how indispensable the Book of Hebrews is in helping us understand many aspects, significant aspects of the Old Testament and of the laws of Moses. At the centerpiece of the Old Covenant or the Mosaic Covenant was the Levitical priesthood. And the worship centered on the tabernacle with the holy place and the most holy place. And the Ark of the Covenant and the place, the mercy seat where the blood was poured out and all of these things. The tabernacle was built under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit working on Moses as he was shown a vision, I think ultimately of the heavenly reality that the tabernacle was an earthly symbol of.
And then the same thing happened with David when he wanted to build a more permanent structure replacing the tabernacle, and God gave to David the same kind of vision of the heavenly temple. And then he wrote it down in writing and then entrusted it to his son, Solomon, because David was forbidden because he was a man of blood from building the temple. But both the tabernacle and the temple were built as earthly shadows of a heavenly reality. And that heavenly reality is the true temple into which Jesus entered offering once for all his blood for all time, while you’ve got then that heavenly temple or tabernacle up in heaven, which is in view here in Revelation 15.
Wes
Now out of this tabernacle comes seven angels with seven plagues. How were these angels dressed and what were they carrying?
Andy
Okay, so the angels come out and they are the ones that are going to be entrusted, and we’ve already seen what they are. In 15:1 it says, “I saw in heaven another great marvelous sign, seven angels with the seven last plagues.” And now this is who they are. So, we already know what’s coming because John has told us this is what he saw, the great sign in heaven. So now we find out that these seven angels with the seven last plagues are coming out of the heavenly temple or the heavenly tabernacle, and they were dressed, we’re told in clean shining linen and wearing golden sashes around their chest. Now, it’s interesting to us that this is exactly the same way that Jesus was dressed in Revelation 1. So, it’s a fascinating thing Jesus in priestly garments. So, these angels almost represent like a heavenly priestly class coming out of the temple or the tabernacle, but they have a deadly, dangerous, and destructive work to do as we’ll see very plainly in the next chapter.
Wes
Now verse 8 gives us this overwhelming image of the sanctuary being filled with smoke. Why does it fill with smoke? What does this signify and how does this compare to other times when we’ve seen similar instances in the Old Testament?
Andy
So, in the Old Testament, both at the dedication of the tabernacle and then again at the dedication of the temple, God descended and filled it with his glory cloud and a sense of his presence. And again, God is not corporeal, he is not made up of atoms, he’s not material. He is a spirit and has no body like men, like the catechism teaches plainly. But he wanted to give the worshipers in Moses’ time, and then again the worshipers in Solomon’s time, a sense that he had come to dwell there. Then very tragically in Ezekiel’s vision, the glory cloud left the temple, meaning this place is now no longer a special sacred place. It’s just a building that the Babylonians are going to come and destroy.
So, the cloud was a symbol of God’s personal direct presence, and no creature has any right to come into that presence. So, there’s a sense that he’s about to be active, and frankly, the cloud generally represents judgment in the Old Testament. And God comes with clouds. He’s coming to do some damage. He’s coming to do judgment. So fundamentally, I think the sense is that no creature can come into his presence at that sense, that’s a sense of the holiness of God and the separateness of God. The cloud represents that. So, no one is able to enter the temple with that cloud, that smoke, and the glory of God until the work is done.
Wes
Well, Andy, as you mentioned at the outset, these eight verses are really preparing us for what will unfold in chapter 16. But before we move on to those, what final thoughts do you have for us today on this chapter that we’ve been looking at?
Andy
Well, Jonathan Edwards in a sermon that he preached, and I’ve meditated on this statement much, “It is the manner of God before he brings any signal mercy on a people first to prepare them for it.” Now, this is not mercy, this is judgment. So, I think in the same way, it is the manner of God before he brings judgment to prepare the people for it. He doesn’t just do it; he tells them ahead of time that he’s going to do it. And so, this chapter stands over every generation, over every tribe and language and people and nation of sinners calling them to fear God and flee to Christ while there’s time.
all of the judgments of God on sinful humanity are warnings of a far greater wrath yet to come.
So, you can sit in the comfort of your own home now in any nation on earth and read Revelation 15 and none of these things are happening today or tomorrow probably. They’re not happening, but they’re going to happen. And something more dreadful than anything that we’re about to read in Revelation 16. There is nothing worse than hell. There’s nothing worse than the lake of fire. Even these judgments, as terrible as they’ll be, are less than hell. So, all of the judgments of God on sinful humanity are warnings of a far greater wrath yet to come. And so, this chapter is a warning to the sinful human race to repent of their sins and find refuge through faith in Christ.
Wes
Well, this has been Episode 21 in our Revelation Bible Study Podcast. We want to invite you to join us next time for Episode 22 entitled The Seven Last Plagues, where we’ll discuss Revelation 16:1-21. Thank you for listening to the Two Journeys Podcast and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Wes
This is Episode 21 in our Revelation Bible Study Podcast entitled God Prepares the Final Judgments for Earth, where we’ll discuss Revelation 15:1-8. I’m Wes Treadway and I’m here with Pastor Andy Davis. Andy, what are we going to see in these verses we’re looking at today?
Andy
Revelation 15 is the shortest chapter in the Book of Revelation, and it’s really just a preparatory chapter in which God gets everything ready for the final outpouring of wrath on the earth, as is celebrated. We also see a note of triumph and celebration of those who have been victorious over the beast and over the number of his name, etc. So, there’s heavenly celebration and a heavenly preparation. But it’s a very somber and devastating judgment that’s about to be poured out on earth as we’ll see with the seven bowl judgments that we’ll cover in the next chapter.
Wes
Well, let me go ahead and read Revelation 15:1-8.
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And 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, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
Andy, how does John introduce this chapter?
Andy
He says that he sees in heaven another great and marvelous sign. So, he uses that language a lot, and signs point to a reality of something that’s about to come. Now, for example, the signs that Jesus did were signs of a beautiful world that is coming in the future in which there’ll be no more death, mourning, crying or pain. And so, the signs of healing were pointing to that beautiful and marvelous reality that is yet to come. The sign here is of a judgment that’s about to come, the plagues with which God will complete his wrath poured out on earth. And so that’s a dreadful thing, but the sign is pointing to a reality that hasn’t come yet.
Wes
What’s the significance of the statement concerning these last plagues, with them, God’s wrath is finished or completed?
Andy
Well, it’s going to end at some point. The wrath of God on the wicked planet, planet earth will end. Now, we do believe that there is eternal conscious torment in hell. We’ve talked about that before, especially in chapter 14. So, the wrath of God will never end for those that are condemned, but the completion of the wrath of God here is on earth. There will come an end to the judgments that God is going to pour out on earth for the sins of the human race.
Wes
Now in verse 2, as John unfolds this vision, it says, “I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire.” What does this sea of glass mixed with fire represent?
Andy
Yeah, it’s a very good question. Again and again, in the Old Testament we have an expanse, the Hebrew word is raqia. It looks like a crystal mirror or something like that. And this expanse separates God and his throne from all of creation in Ezekiel 1. So, above the expanse is the throne and one seated on it. In Revelation 4 we have the crystal sea or the sea of glass, et cetera, which is very placid and calm. Very different from the turbulent sea out of which the four beasts come in Daniel 7. And out of which the beast from the sea comes in Revelation 13 in which there’s four winds churning the sea and its turbulent, whereas the sea of glass in Revelation 4 is very placid and calm. But in this case, it’s also, it seems, mingled with fire or tinged with fire.
our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him. He is at peace always. He’s in control always.
And so, I think what it is basically is that boundary between God, the Creator and sovereign King, and all of creation. And that boundary here, generally it’s placid and common, so it gives us a picture of our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him. He is at peace always. He’s in control always. There’s never any churning turbulence in the mind and heart of God. And so, there’s that sense of serenity and orderliness and peacefulness in the mind and heart of God and in the rule of God. But now that’s tinged with fire or mixed with fire, meaning he is at peace within himself, but he’s going to bring the fire of his judgment on earth.
Wes
So, John sees this sea of glass mixed with fire, but he also sees ones who were victorious over the beast and his number. Who are these ones that he sees and how did they triumph?
Andy
Yeah, these are I think believers, they are individuals, peoples who had gone through a time on earth, a time of testing. And they triumphed over the beast and over the dragon by their testimony of Jesus, by the word of their testimony and by their faith. So, these I think are believers who are victorious up in heaven, and they’re standing either beside the sea or even on the sea. The Greek word is epi plus the accusative, generally means on or upon. Some of the translations have upon. So, it’s almost like they’re walking on water, but they’re in that peaceful realm. And they’re there celebrating, they’re praising God, they’re worshiping God. They themselves have been victorious over the beast and over the number of his name and over his image, and they’re worshiping God for what he’s about to do.
Wes
Is that what the harps represent, that they’re holding in their hands of worshipful response to what God has done here?
Andy
Absolutely. I think so. I think, Wes, you know this very well as a skillful worship leader that music is one of the great gifts of God. And so, the harp represents singing and music and celebration, so they’re praising God. You need to realize God is worthy of worship for everything he does, and that includes the wrath that he pours out on the earth. And we’re going to see that in the next chapter when the angels worship God directly for the judgments he’s bringing on earth. When he changes the drinking water into blood, for example, the angels are going to say, “You are right for doing this.” They’re going to celebrate. And so, these victorious saints in heaven are celebrating, they’re singing and they’re praising God for the great mighty deeds that God has done and is doing on earth.
Wes
Now, in verse 3, we’re told that they’re singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. How should we understand this song?
Andy
Yeah, it’s complex. The song of Moses, you get the feeling of after the Red Sea crossing, when Pharaoh’s army has been destroyed, the wall of water has come crashing down on them. And as God said, through Moses to the people, you don’t need to fear because these enemies that you see today, you’ll never see them again. And so, the water comes crashing down, and they are destroyed. And then as soon as that has happened, and the entire nation had crossed over on dry ground and they’re up on the other side on the far shore. And they look back and their enemies are destroyed, they worship. They sing a song of celebration. And so that kind of lines up here. That would be the song of Moses, but it’s also the song of Moses and of the Lamb because they overcame by the blood of Jesus and by their faith in Jesus. So, it really ultimately is a triumph of the Lamb, meaning of Jesus Christ.
Wes
What’s the significance of the question within the song that they sing, “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name?” And how does that question really show the irrationality of sinful rebellion against Almighty God?
Andy
It is amazing, isn’t it? When we look around and we see the beauty and the majesty of creation, we see all the might and power. It says very clearly in Romans 1 that since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse. But how much more when God acts very powerfully in history, especially through the healing miracles that Jesus did and the signs and wonders he did. But even more by now late in the Book of Revelation, when he’s already brought many judgments on the earth. The seven seals have been broken and unleashed what they did. And then the seven trumpets have sounded, and they brought terrible devastation on the earth. These are all massive warning shots coming from heaven to earth. And it’s just a marvel in a very sad and twisted sort of way.
It’s amazing that people can see all this and not see directly the greatness and majesty and power of God. And let’s be clear about it, the folly of fighting such a powerful God. But as you mentioned in your question, it is essentially irrational how human beings, frail, little, tiny human beings can take God on and blaspheme him and curse him and be enraged at him. But that’s exactly what they do when these judgments come on the people. They don’t repent of their wickedness, of their idolatries, or of their evil deeds, they just gnash their teeth and curse God. And so, it’s an amazing thing to those that are worshiping and celebrating God, saying how could it even be that people would not fear such a mighty God?
Wes
We have this incredible picture here of God’s judgment for which he’s praised, but it’s also said that all nations will fear and worship him. How did God’s judgments bring that about?
Andy
God is calling on all nations to come and worship before him. And I think there’s a sense in which they will be in stunned amazement before God, even if they don’t repent.
Well, ultimately there is one human race, though we end up in different pockets of the world and settling in different regions and developing different languages and cultures. Ultimately everything God is doing is for that one human race. And so, all the nations, all the peoples of the earth are called on to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. And to follow him and to enter in the kingdom. And so, the judgments are coming on those who refuse to repent and believe. The judgments are coming on a rebellious human race. And so fundamentally, ultimately, God is calling on all nations to come and worship before him. And I think there’s a sense in which they will be in stunned amazement before God, even if they don’t repent. As it says very famously in Isaiah then quoted in Philippians 2, “Before me every knee will bow, by me every tongue will swear.”
So, all of his enemies will be subjugated or submit to him, though at that point it will be too late for them to do it by faith and to be saved. But basically, fundamentally as they’re worshiping God, they’re saying, “Who will not fear you and bring glory to your name for you alone are holy?” All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed. So, there’s a sense of the wonder and amazement that will come when God does this. But how much better would it be for them to repent of their sins and trust in him before the second coming?
Wes
How does the heavenly tent or tabernacle that John sees next in his vision connect with Hebrews 9:11 which says, “Jesus entered a greater and more perfect tabernacle that’s not manmade, that is not a part of this creation.”
Andy
Right, so that says it very directly. And by the way, you just see again and again how indispensable the Book of Hebrews is in helping us understand many aspects, significant aspects of the Old Testament and of the laws of Moses. At the centerpiece of the Old Covenant or the Mosaic Covenant was the Levitical priesthood. And the worship centered on the tabernacle with the holy place and the most holy place. And the Ark of the Covenant and the place, the mercy seat where the blood was poured out and all of these things. The tabernacle was built under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit working on Moses as he was shown a vision, I think ultimately of the heavenly reality that the tabernacle was an earthly symbol of.
And then the same thing happened with David when he wanted to build a more permanent structure replacing the tabernacle, and God gave to David the same kind of vision of the heavenly temple. And then he wrote it down in writing and then entrusted it to his son, Solomon, because David was forbidden because he was a man of blood from building the temple. But both the tabernacle and the temple were built as earthly shadows of a heavenly reality. And that heavenly reality is the true temple into which Jesus entered offering once for all his blood for all time, while you’ve got then that heavenly temple or tabernacle up in heaven, which is in view here in Revelation 15.
Wes
Now out of this tabernacle comes seven angels with seven plagues. How were these angels dressed and what were they carrying?
Andy
Okay, so the angels come out and they are the ones that are going to be entrusted, and we’ve already seen what they are. In 15:1 it says, “I saw in heaven another great marvelous sign, seven angels with the seven last plagues.” And now this is who they are. So, we already know what’s coming because John has told us this is what he saw, the great sign in heaven. So now we find out that these seven angels with the seven last plagues are coming out of the heavenly temple or the heavenly tabernacle, and they were dressed, we’re told in clean shining linen and wearing golden sashes around their chest. Now, it’s interesting to us that this is exactly the same way that Jesus was dressed in Revelation 1. So, it’s a fascinating thing Jesus in priestly garments. So, these angels almost represent like a heavenly priestly class coming out of the temple or the tabernacle, but they have a deadly, dangerous, and destructive work to do as we’ll see very plainly in the next chapter.
Wes
Now verse 8 gives us this overwhelming image of the sanctuary being filled with smoke. Why does it fill with smoke? What does this signify and how does this compare to other times when we’ve seen similar instances in the Old Testament?
Andy
So, in the Old Testament, both at the dedication of the tabernacle and then again at the dedication of the temple, God descended and filled it with his glory cloud and a sense of his presence. And again, God is not corporeal, he is not made up of atoms, he’s not material. He is a spirit and has no body like men, like the catechism teaches plainly. But he wanted to give the worshipers in Moses’ time, and then again the worshipers in Solomon’s time, a sense that he had come to dwell there. Then very tragically in Ezekiel’s vision, the glory cloud left the temple, meaning this place is now no longer a special sacred place. It’s just a building that the Babylonians are going to come and destroy.
So, the cloud was a symbol of God’s personal direct presence, and no creature has any right to come into that presence. So, there’s a sense that he’s about to be active, and frankly, the cloud generally represents judgment in the Old Testament. And God comes with clouds. He’s coming to do some damage. He’s coming to do judgment. So fundamentally, I think the sense is that no creature can come into his presence at that sense, that’s a sense of the holiness of God and the separateness of God. The cloud represents that. So, no one is able to enter the temple with that cloud, that smoke, and the glory of God until the work is done.
Wes
Well, Andy, as you mentioned at the outset, these eight verses are really preparing us for what will unfold in chapter 16. But before we move on to those, what final thoughts do you have for us today on this chapter that we’ve been looking at?
Andy
Well, Jonathan Edwards in a sermon that he preached, and I’ve meditated on this statement much, “It is the manner of God before he brings any signal mercy on a people first to prepare them for it.” Now, this is not mercy, this is judgment. So, I think in the same way, it is the manner of God before he brings judgment to prepare the people for it. He doesn’t just do it; he tells them ahead of time that he’s going to do it. And so, this chapter stands over every generation, over every tribe and language and people and nation of sinners calling them to fear God and flee to Christ while there’s time.
all of the judgments of God on sinful humanity are warnings of a far greater wrath yet to come.
So, you can sit in the comfort of your own home now in any nation on earth and read Revelation 15 and none of these things are happening today or tomorrow probably. They’re not happening, but they’re going to happen. And something more dreadful than anything that we’re about to read in Revelation 16. There is nothing worse than hell. There’s nothing worse than the lake of fire. Even these judgments, as terrible as they’ll be, are less than hell. So, all of the judgments of God on sinful humanity are warnings of a far greater wrath yet to come. And so, this chapter is a warning to the sinful human race to repent of their sins and find refuge through faith in Christ.
Wes
Well, this has been Episode 21 in our Revelation Bible Study Podcast. We want to invite you to join us next time for Episode 22 entitled The Seven Last Plagues, where we’ll discuss Revelation 16:1-21. Thank you for listening to the Two Journeys Podcast and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
