Rejoicing Over and Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues Revelation 15:1-8

What We Have Covered Thus Far Rev 1 “the things which you have seen” Rev 2-3 “the things which are” Rev 4-5 “the things which shall take place after these things” Rev 6Rev 7Rev 8-9 Introduction, John’s vision of the glorified Christ & commission to write Letters to the seven churches Visions of the One who sits upon the throne and the Lamb who is worthy to take the scroll and break its seals Breaking of the first six seals The slaves of God who are not harmed by the wrath of God Blowing of the first six trumpets Rev 10Rev 11Rev 12-14Rev 15 Announcement of the end of delay & John’s re-commissioning Temple measurement, two witnesses, and blowing of the seventh trumpet Background to the seven bowls Rejoicing over and preparation for the seven last plagues

The Structure of Daniel’s 70 th Week (aka The Day of the Lord) 3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ You are here.

Outline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls (12:1 – 18:24) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17) The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17) The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (13:1-18) The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (13:1-18) The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) Four Climactic Announcements and the Harvest and the Vintage (14:6-20) Four Climactic Announcements and the Harvest and the Vintage (14:6-20) Rejoicing over and Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-8) Rejoicing over and Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-8)

Correspondences between Rev 14 and Rev Rev 14:1-5 Rev 15:2-4 Rev 14:1-5 Rev 15:2-4 Rev 14:6-11 Rev 14: : :14-20 Rev 15:1,5; 16:1-21

The Rejoicing over the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-4) Following the earlier signs of the woman clothed in the sun and the great, fiery-red dragon, John sees another sign in heaven, described as “great and marvelous”. Following the earlier signs of the woman clothed in the sun and the great, fiery-red dragon, John sees another sign in heaven, described as “great and marvelous”. The awesomeness of this vision stems from the goal of the 7 angels’ mission, which is the completion of God’s wrath upon the earth. The awesomeness of this vision stems from the goal of the 7 angels’ mission, which is the completion of God’s wrath upon the earth. Five of these plagues recall 5 of the 10 Egyptian plagues in Exodus 7-10; the first and third bowl plagues are particularly reminiscent of what God did in punishing Egypt and delivering His people. He is doing the same thing here, on a much larger scale. Five of these plagues recall 5 of the 10 Egyptian plagues in Exodus 7-10; the first and third bowl plagues are particularly reminiscent of what God did in punishing Egypt and delivering His people. He is doing the same thing here, on a much larger scale. The earlier series of seals and trumpets were temporal punishments to warn people of the severity of God’s wrath, but the bowl judgments are the climax of them all. The earlier series of seals and trumpets were temporal punishments to warn people of the severity of God’s wrath, but the bowl judgments are the climax of them all.

The Rejoicing over the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-4) In contrast to the impending doom of the 7 bowl judgments, John sees a vision of victory and worship. In contrast to the impending doom of the 7 bowl judgments, John sees a vision of victory and worship. The sea of glass, like the one we encountered back in 4:6, symbolizes the splendor and majesty of God’s throne that sets Him apart from all His creation. The sea of glass, like the one we encountered back in 4:6, symbolizes the splendor and majesty of God’s throne that sets Him apart from all His creation. “Those who come off victorious from the beast” are the ones who have refused the mark of the beast out of loyalty to the true God and His Christ. They stand on the sea which leads to the throne of God, holding harps for the purpose of worshipping God. “Those who come off victorious from the beast” are the ones who have refused the mark of the beast out of loyalty to the true God and His Christ. They stand on the sea which leads to the throne of God, holding harps for the purpose of worshipping God.

The Rejoicing over the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-4) In celebration of the moment that has arrived, these overcomers sing two songs: In celebration of the moment that has arrived, these overcomers sing two songs: “The song of Moses” is the celebratory hymn of Exodus 15, after God had delivered the Israelites and drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. A tremendous victory and demonstration of God’s power! “The song of Moses” is the celebratory hymn of Exodus 15, after God had delivered the Israelites and drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. A tremendous victory and demonstration of God’s power! “The song of the Lamb” is in the remainder of vv. 3 and 4, giving praise to God for His mighty works, His righteousness, and the truth of His judgment, and asserting His sovereign rule as “King of the nations”… a prominent theme in this book. “The song of the Lamb” is in the remainder of vv. 3 and 4, giving praise to God for His mighty works, His righteousness, and the truth of His judgment, and asserting His sovereign rule as “King of the nations”… a prominent theme in this book. This latter song goes on to assert the inevitability of fearing God and giving Him glory, for there is no one like Him in all the earth. This latter song goes on to assert the inevitability of fearing God and giving Him glory, for there is no one like Him in all the earth. The word translated “holy” (), is not the usual word for holy in the NT. This term describes God’s holiness not so much in the sense of His sinlessness as in His unapproachable majesty, His distinctness from His creation. The word translated “holy” ( o[sioj ), is not the usual word for holy in the NT. This term describes God’s holiness not so much in the sense of His sinlessness as in His unapproachable majesty, His distinctness from His creation.

The Rejoicing over the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-4) After God has purged the earth through the final outpouring of His wrath, all the survivors will respond positively to Him. After God has purged the earth through the final outpouring of His wrath, all the survivors will respond positively to Him. In the Messianic age (and not before!) all nations will worship the God of Israel and glorify Him – a very familiar theme in the Psalms and the Prophets. In the Messianic age (and not before!) all nations will worship the God of Israel and glorify Him – a very familiar theme in the Psalms and the Prophets. Though the initial fulfillment of this age will be in the millennial kingdom, it will be marred by a revolt at the end of the 1000 years (Rev 20:7-9). Though the initial fulfillment of this age will be in the millennial kingdom, it will be marred by a revolt at the end of the 1000 years (Rev 20:7-9). The full realization of the universal worship of God by the nations will not occur until the eternal state. The full realization of the universal worship of God by the nations will not occur until the eternal state. The last clause of v. 4 provides the reason for why all the nations will come. It is the manifestation of His righteous judgments in purging the earth of its rebels. The last clause of v. 4 provides the reason for why all the nations will come. It is the manifestation of His righteous judgments in purging the earth of its rebels.

The Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (15:5-8) The 7 angels whom John saw in the previous vision now become the main characters. The 7 angels whom John saw in the previous vision now become the main characters. They come out from the tabernacle in heaven, emphasizing that God Himself is the source of the 7 bowl judgments. They come out from the tabernacle in heaven, emphasizing that God Himself is the source of the 7 bowl judgments. These angels are: These angels are: clothed in clean, bright linen, appropriate to their mission of purification. clothed in clean, bright linen, appropriate to their mission of purification. clothed with golden girdles, positioned the same way as Christ’s golden girdle in 1:18 and signifying judgment. clothed with golden girdles, positioned the same way as Christ’s golden girdle in 1:18 and signifying judgment. Having left the Temple, these angels each receive from one of the four living creatures a golden bowl, filled to the brim with the wrath of God. Having left the Temple, these angels each receive from one of the four living creatures a golden bowl, filled to the brim with the wrath of God. Their fullness speaks of the devastating character and the finality of this coming divine judgment. Their fullness speaks of the devastating character and the finality of this coming divine judgment.

The Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (15:5-8) Once the angels receive the bowls, the temple undergoes a dramatic transformation. Once the angels receive the bowls, the temple undergoes a dramatic transformation. It is now accessible only by God. The smoke from His glory and power is so intense that no one else can enter the temple. It is now accessible only by God. The smoke from His glory and power is so intense that no one else can enter the temple. This again points to God’s hot and righteous anger, and emphasizes that no one can approach Him when He judges in this way. This again points to God’s hot and righteous anger, and emphasizes that no one can approach Him when He judges in this way. The temple remains in this state until the completion of the outpouring of the bowls. This will carry through to the replacing of the old order with the New Jerusalem (21:1-2). The temple remains in this state until the completion of the outpouring of the bowls. This will carry through to the replacing of the old order with the New Jerusalem (21:1-2).

Next Week: Pouring out of the Seven Bowls Read Rev