Here we enter into the 7 bowls of wrath.
This chapter is the shortest in the Book of Revelation, and serves as an introduction to chapter 16.
We are entering the climax of this 7 year period.
Verse 1
“And 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.”
There is a difference between the judgement of God and the wrath of God. The Jews were often judged by God but never was the wrath of God brought down on them.
This chapter opens with the words “another sign”, which seems to tie it with chapter 12.
Verse 2
“And 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.”
Notice the term “as it were”, it is clear that it is not literal.
We saw the sea of glass in chapter 4.
The martyrs are victorious and in Heaven.
Verse 3
“And 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.”
The song of Moses is in Exodus 15: 1-21 and Deut 32.
The song of the Lamb was in Rev 5.
Notice that in these praises and songs there is never any mention of the martyrs achievements.
Verse 4
“Who 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.”
Today we would think this statement is impossible, there are less and less people who fear God, we don’t have to go back very far into our past to see reverence of God.
Verse 5
“And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:”
Temple is mentioned 15 times in Revelation, but never mentioned until chapter 4, after the church has left.
Verse 6
“And 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.”
This description we have seen before in Revelation.
Verse 7
“And 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.”
The vial that is used here is more like a bowl, like the ones used in the temple
Verse 8
“And 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.”
This is the smoke that accompanies the glory of God as in Isaiah 6.
Even the redeemed are denied access to the temple, God alone is there.
Comments