Prelude to the Bowl Judgments

15 Then (A)I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: (B)seven angels having the seven last plagues, (C)for in them the wrath of God is complete.

And I saw something like (D)a sea of glass (E)mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, (F)over his image and [a]over his mark and over the (G)number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, (H)having harps of God. They sing (I)the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the (J)Lamb, saying:

(K)“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
(L)Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the [b]saints!
(M)Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are (N)holy.
For (O)all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”

After these things I looked, and [c]behold, (P)the [d]temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the [e]temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, (Q)clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. (R)Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God (S)who lives forever and ever. (T)The temple was filled with smoke (U)from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 15:2 NU, M omit over his mark
  2. Revelation 15:3 NU, M nations
  3. Revelation 15:5 NU, M omit behold
  4. Revelation 15:5 sanctuary, the inner shrine
  5. Revelation 15:6 sanctuary, the inner shrine

A Scene of Heaven

15 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful [a warning of terrifying and horrible events]: seven angels who had seven plagues (afflictions, calamities), which are the last, because with them the wrath of God is finished [that is, it is completely expressed and reaches its zenith].(A)

Then I saw something like a sea or large expanse of glass mixed with fire, and those who were victorious over the beast and over his image and over the number corresponding to his name were standing on the sea or large expanse of glass, holding harps of God [worshiping Him].(B) And they [a]sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],

O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of the [b]nations!(C)

“Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]?
For You alone are holy;
For all the nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed.”(D)

After these things I looked, and the temple (sanctuary) of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened, and the seven angels who had the seven plagues (afflictions, calamities) came out of the temple, arrayed in linen, pure and gleaming, and wrapped around their chests were golden sashes. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath and indignation of God, who lives forever and ever.(E) And the temple was filled with [c]smoke from the glory and radiance and splendor of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.(F)

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 15:3 At the end, the old covenant that came through Moses is seen to be in complete unity with the new covenant in Jesus Christ.
  2. Revelation 15:3 Two early mss read ages.
  3. Revelation 15:8 The awe-inspiring manifestation of God’s shekinah glory was seen in the tabernacle, then when Solomon’s temple was dedicated, and the prophets said it would be seen again at the end.

Seven Angels With Seven Plagues

15 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign:(A) seven angels(B) with the seven last plagues(C)—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass(D) glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious(E) over the beast(F) and its image(G) and over the number of its name.(H) They held harps(I) given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant(J) Moses(K) and of the Lamb:(L)

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,(M)
    Lord God Almighty.(N)
Just and true are your ways,(O)
    King of the nations.[a]
Who will not fear you, Lord,(P)
    and bring glory to your name?(Q)
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,(R)
for your righteous acts(S) have been revealed.”[b]

After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple(T)—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law(U)—and it was opened.(V) Out of the temple(W) came the seven angels with the seven plagues.(X) They were dressed in clean, shining linen(Y) and wore golden sashes around their chests.(Z) Then one of the four living creatures(AA) gave to the seven angels(AB) seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.(AC) And the temple was filled with smoke(AD) from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple(AE) until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 15:3 Some manuscripts ages
  2. Revelation 15:4 Phrases in this song are drawn from Psalm 111:2,3; Deut. 32:4; Jer. 10:7; Psalms 86:9; 98:2.

The Song of Moses, the Song of the Lamb

15 I saw another Sign in Heaven, huge and breathtaking: seven Angels with seven disasters. These are the final disasters, the wrap-up of God’s wrath.

2-4 I saw something like a sea made of glass, the glass all shot through with fire. Carrying harps of God, triumphant over the Beast, its image, and the number of its name, the saved ones stood on the sea of glass. They sang the Song of Moses, servant of God; they sang the Song of the Lamb:

Mighty your acts and marvelous,
    O God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Righteous your ways and true,
    King of the nations!
Who can fail to fear you, God,
    give glory to your Name?
Because you and you only are holy,
    all nations will come and worship you,
    because they see your judgments are right.

5-8 Then I saw the doors of the Temple, the Tent of Witness in Heaven, open wide. The Seven Angels carrying the seven disasters came out of the Temple. They were dressed in clean, bright linen and wore gold vests. One of the Four Animals handed the Seven Angels seven gold bowls, brimming with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. Smoke from God’s glory and power poured out of the Temple. No one was permitted to enter the Temple until the seven disasters of the Seven Angels were finished.