The Revelation of St. John the Divine
Revelation 15
Chapter XV · Vol. IV, pp. 531–532
1 The seven angels with the seven last plagues. 3 The song of them that overcome the beast. 7 The seven vials full of the wrath of God.
1 And I saw aanother sign in heaven, great and marvellous, bseven cangels having the seven dlast plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
a With ch.12.1; 11.14-18. 2 Th.2.8.
b ch.1.20; 5.6; 8.2,6; 10.3; xvi.
c ch.8.2,6; 16.1-17; 21.9; ver.6.
d ch.11.14; 16.17; 14.10; xvi.
2 And I saw as it were ea sea of glass mingled with fire: and gthem that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, hstand on the sea of glass, having ithe harps of God.
3 Andj they sing kthe song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,1 saying, lGreat and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; njust and true are thy ways, thou oKing of saints.Cited in WSC 54 · WLC 112
j ch.5.9,10;7.10,12;14.3;19.1-7.
k Ex.15.1-19. De.32.1-43. ch.5.9-12;14.3.
1 Both songs of triumph over, by escape from, enslaving and cruel enemies. Comp. ver. 3, 4 with Ex. 15. 1-21. C.—Moses' song of triumph, sung on the occasion of the escape of the Israelites through the Red Sea, was typical, and therefore prophetical. It was typical of our Lord's triumph over the enemies of his church, and on account of the complete and final salvation of his people from all opposed to them—from death, and sin, and hell.—P.
n Ps.145.17. De.32.4. Ps.111.3-9. Mi.7.20. ch.16.5-7. Ho.14.9.
o Je.10.7,10. ch.17.14;19.16.
4 Whop shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for allq nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.Cited in WSC 4, 54 · WLC 7, 112
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, rthe temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And sthe seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, tclothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
s ver.1,7;ch.xvi.;21.9.
t ch.1.13. Is.13.3. Ep.6.14. Lu.12.35,36. 1 Pe.1.13. Ex.28.6,8. Eze.44.17,18.
7 And uone of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vvials,2 full of the wrath of God, who xliveth for ever and ever.
Notes
Ver. 1, 2. The sea of glass mingled with fire is the infinitely pure and efficacious righteousness of Christ, by which he appeased the fiery resentments of divine justice, and through which the influences of the Holy Ghost are conveyed, and the perfections and favours of God marvellously discovered; and on which, as their foundation, the saints in heaven and earth stand with complete acceptance, confidence, and triumph before God. 6. These messengers of God's vengeance appear arrayed as high-priests, to denote the sanctity of their character and their awful ministrations, in answer from God to the prayers of his people. 7. The receiving their vials filled from the first, or lion-like living creature, imports that love to the gospel influences them, and that their work fulfils the threatenings of God's Word declared by ministers. 8. The smoke filling the temple may denote the awful and confounding judgments of God obstructing all prayers for the wicked, and excluding them from all merciful entrance into his church.
Ver. 2. This sea of glass—rather, crystalline—was not a geographical sea, but a large vessel in the temple called a sea (1 Ki. 7. 23-39) used by the priests for washing, 2 Ch. 4. 6. This sea in the temple was of brass, emblematic of strength—the prophetic sea of crystal, emblematic of purity.—Mingled with fire, as an emblem of purifying judgments.—Note, Under the providence of a wise and merciful God, the hour that has most troubled has always most purified his church. Persecution cleanseth the church of hypocrites and lukewarm professors, excites the spirit of prayer, exercises patience, separates from the world, and produces an earnest longing to depart and be with Christ, Phi. 1. 23.—Gotten the victory, &c. Rather, 'who had conquered;' or literally, 'who were conquering (by escaping from) the beast'—so ἐκ τοῦ θηρίου requires.—On the sea. Rather, 'by the sea' (Scholefield). C.
Ver. 8. No man was able to enter into the temple, so as to penetrate the mystery, till the signs of the times and the acts of Providence opened it (comp. ch. 16.17 with 17.1, &c.), or to give God thanks for the judgment, till the judgment was completed. Comp. Ps. 100. 4 with ch. 19. 1-6. C.
Reflections.—Glorious is their triumph who stand in the immediate and ever-gracious presence of God, accepted in Jesus' gracious sacrifice, and through faith victorious over all their spiritual enemies. Sweetly and solemnly they sing of mercy and judgment, and of the wonderful events of providence and grace, to the honour of Jehovah and his Son.—What adorable perfections delightfully shine forth in his nature and conduct! Happy will be that period when all nations shall be converted to and worship him, and when his judgments shall be fully manifested in the complete abolition of pagan and Mahometan delusions! Fixed is God's decree of their ruin, and fearful but infallible the execution. Yea, all the proper instruments shall stand ready to accomplish it in his time.