The Revelation · New Testament
Revelation 15
Revelation 15: seven angels receive the seven last plagues
General context
John sees another sign in heaven, seven angels holding the seven last plagues, and the text says the wrath of God is filled up in them. He sees what appears to be a sea of glass mingled with fire, and standing on it those who had gained the victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark and over the number of his name, holding harps. They sing, and the song is introduced by two names at once, the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb; the words that follow praise the works, ways and judgments of God and say that all nations shall come and worship. After that the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven is opened and the seven angels come out of it in pure white linen with golden girdles. One of the four beasts gives them seven golden vials full of the wrath of God. The temple fills with smoke from the glory and power of God, and no one is able to enter it until the seven plagues are finished.
Cited passages: Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 15:4, Revelation 15:5, Revelation 15:6, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 15:8
Revelation 15 (KJV)
1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
5And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
7And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
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Historical context
The chapter names Moses, in the phrase "the song of Moses the servant of God", and this is the only person from earlier scripture named in it. One set of words follows both titles, so the text does not separate the song of Moses from the song of the Lamb or print them as two songs. The sea of glass returns from 4:6 and is now "mingled with fire". Those standing on it are identified only by what they overcame, "the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name", and are not named or counted. The seven angels are not named. The vials are described as "full of the wrath of God", which is also how the plagues are described in the opening verse. No place on earth, no ruler and no date appear anywhere in the chapter.
Cited passages: Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 4:6
Literary context
The shortest chapter in this stretch is entirely preparation, and nothing in it is poured, struck or destroyed. Its movement is a series of handings over: plagues held by angels, vials given to those angels by one of the four beasts, a temple opened so they can come out. A song and a set of vials occupy the same room, one named for Moses and for the Lamb, the other filled with wrath. The chapter also closes a door it has just opened. The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony "was opened" at verse 5, and by verse 8 it is filled with smoke and "no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled", which holds the pouring back until the next chapter begins.
Cited passages: Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 15:5, Revelation 15:6, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 15:8
Key moments
- Seven last plagues (Revelation 15:1). John sees seven angels holding the plagues in which the wrath of God is filled up.
- Standing on the sea of glass (Revelation 15:2). Those who overcame the beast and its mark stand with harps.
- Two songs named (Revelation 15:3). The singing is called the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.
- The temple opened (Revelation 15:5). The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven is opened.
- The vials handed over (Revelation 15:7). One of the four beasts gives the seven angels golden vials full of the wrath of God.
- No entry until it is done (Revelation 15:8). Smoke fills the temple and no one can enter until the plagues are finished.
For reflection
The singers are described only by what they overcame, with no names and no number. What does it mean for a text to let a group be known entirely by what they came through?
