2. REVELATION 15
In chapter fifteen the stage is set for the final
dramatic action of the Apocalypse (Hinson).
The description of the plagues poured out
from seven bowls will be described in chapter
sixteen, and the fall of Babylon in chapter
seventeen, but in chapter fifteen, we see the
beginning of this judgment.
4. Verse 1
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great
and marvelous: seven angels having the
seven last plagues, for in them the wrath
of God is complete.
John begins by saying that he “saw another sign in
heaven.” The previous sign that John saw was in
chapter 12 verse 1, which was of the woman and the
second sign is “seven angels having the seven last
plagues.” We are not told, at this point, what those
plagues are, but there is an ominous tone to the note
that “in them the wrath of God is complete.”
5. Verse 1 (cont.)
That fact that God’s wrath is “complete” indicates
that the objective of God’s wrath has been met,
that is, the judgment of the unrighteous and the
deliverance of the Tribulation saints.
1 Thess 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to
wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord
Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether
we wake or sleep, we should live together with
Him.” NKJV
6. Verse 1 (cont.)
God’s wrath is His judgment against the
unrighteous--John 3: 36, Rom 1:18, 5:8, 1 Thess
1:10.
But his wrath and judgment is also the means by
which He delivers His people. In Exodus, God
used wrath as judgment against Egypt, and
deliverance for His people. So here again, in the
time of Jacob’s trouble, His wrath is both
judgment and deliverance.
7. Verse 2
2 And I saw something like a sea of glass
mingled with fire, and those who have the
victory over the beast, over his image and
over his mark and over the number of his
name, standing on the sea of glass, having
harps of God.
Notice the figures of speech used here by John.
There is a significant typology being used here.
Those who have “victory” are seen “standing on
the sea of glass.” It is as though they are crossing
over to something better, while those left behind
are subjected to the plagues.
8. Verse 2 (cont.)
Mounce says, “The plagues anticipate the final
outpouring of divine retribution and are met with
blasphemy by men whose hearts, like that of Pharaoh,
are hardened against God.”
The triumphant stand upon the sea of fire, while the
beast, false prophet, and those who lived and died in
disobedience to Christ, will be cast into the “lake of fire”
(Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 14-15). This, is the typological
fulfillment of the Exodus, as the Red Sea (which is the
type of the “sea . . . mingled with fire”) provides safe
passage for the people of God, while also bringing defeat
and judgment upon those who persecuted His people.
9. Verse 3a
3a They sing the song of Moses, the servant of
God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
They sing the song of Moses and the Lamb,
recognizing the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in
Jesus. These people are saved by the work of Christ
(the Lamb) on their behalf.
Further, just as there was a mixed multitude that came
out of Egypt with Israel, there will be Gentiles saved
during the Tribulation Period, even though it is
primarily the time when the natural olive branches
(Israel) are engrafted back into the vine.
10. Verses 3b-4
3b "Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord,
and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come
and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested."
11. Verses 3b-4
There is a confession of faith in this song:
First, it acknowledges the “greatness of
God.”
Second, the song acknowledges that
what God has done is justified and true to
His holy character.
Third, they ask, “Who shall not fear You,
O Lord, and glorify Your name?”
12. Verse 5
5 After these things I looked, and behold,
the temple of the tabernacle of the
testimony in heaven was opened.
This is an intriguing use of words—“the
temple of the tabernacle of the testimony.”
This is God’s holy temple in heaven, but
the modifying phrase, “of the tabernacle of
the testimony” is again a typological that
goes back to Egypt.
13. Verse 5 (cont.)
In the tabernacle in the wilderness, the
“testimony” was the Ten Commandments. It
reminds us that God is a God of covenants.
There is the linking of the Old and New
Covenants, yet again. John sees into the
temple, into the Holy of Holies. Before the
sacrifice of Christ upon the cross, such a view
was impossible as this place was hidden from
the view of the worshippers by the veil.
14. Verse 6
6 And out of the temple came the seven
angels having the seven plagues, clothed
in pure bright linen, and having their
chests girded with golden bands.
Again, seven angels are seen. Here, they come
“out of the temple,” which is to say that they are
coming out of the presence of God. They are
wearing bright linen, signifying purity, as well
as, the radiating glory of God that resides upon
them, even as it did upon Moses after coming
from God’s presence.
15. Verse 7
7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to
the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the
wrath of God who lives forever and ever.
The angels are said to have the plagues when
they come out of the temple, but they are given
bowls full of the wrath of God. It is not the
prerogative of the angels to punish man, but
they work only in obedience to God. The
plagues are God’s wrath, His judgment, His
vindication of those who did not worship the
beast, his image or take his mark.
16. Verse 8
8 The temple was filled with smoke 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.
When they receive the bowls, the temple is filled
with the glory, (Hebrew, kabod ) of God, that is,
His glory filling the temple so powerfully that no
one is able, not even the angels or creatures, to
enter the temple until the judgment of God is
poured out and completed.
17.
18. Revelation 16
In chapter 16 the seven bowls introduced in
chapter 15 are poured out. It is interesting to
compare the plagues on Egypt, the seven
seals, the seven trumpets and the seven bowl
plagues. There are some obvious similarities,
as well as some distinctions.
20. Chapter Outline
Introduction: The Voice of God instructing the angels
I The First Three Bowls
A. Bowl One: Malignant sores
B. Bowl Two: Oceans become blood
C. Bowl Three: Fresh water becomes blood
Interlude:
A. Song of the Angel
B. Voice from the Altar
21. Chapter Outline
II The Second Three Bowls
A. Bowl Four: Scorching heat
B. Bowl Five: Darkness with pain
C. Bowl Six: Euphrates River dries up, armies
from the east
Interlude:
A. Demonic spirits,
B. Warning from Jesus
C. Armies at Armageddon
23. Verse 1
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the
temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and
pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on
the earth."
That this is the voice of God can be deduced
from the fact that according to chapter fifteen,
God is the only one left in the temple at this
point. The time of some of the most severe
judgment to ever be exacted upon mankind is
about to occur.
24. Verse 1
Johnson makes an interesting observation with
respect to the bowls being filled with God’s
wrath by virtue of the rebellion of the wicked.
Jesus used this analogy in Matthew 23:32 when
addressing those who had hypocritically
distanced themselves from their forefathers who
had killed the prophets, while they themselves
were conspiring to kill the Messiah. Jesus said,
“Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your
fathers.”
25. Verse 2 : The First Bowl
2 So the first went and poured out his
bowl upon the earth, and a foul and
loathsome sore came upon the men who
had the mark of the beast and those who
worshiped his image.
This judgment parallels that of the sixth plague
upon Egypt. In Egypt the Jews were exempt from
the plagues while all the Egyptians were afflicted.
In the first bowl judgment, the sores are
restricted to all those “who had the mark of the
beast and those who worshipped his image.”
26. Verse 3: The Second Bowl
3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on
the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man;
and every living creature in the sea died.
The second bowl also has a parallel in the
trumpet plagues. Only this time it is not a third
but the whole sea that is impacted. There is no
restraint in this plague as “every living creature in
the sea died.” The reference to living creature “in
the sea” seems to indicate that it is the animal life
in the sea and not, for example, seamen who die
as a result of this plague.
27. Verse 4: The Third Bowl
4 Then the third angel poured out his
bowl on the rivers and springs of water,
and they became blood.
Now the fresh water supply of the world is
also turned to blood. Every source of fresh
water is polluted. Furthermore, while the
use of “as” does not occur here, it is surely
implied from the previous verse where the
same reference to seas as blood is carried
over into the plague on the fresh water.
28. Verses 5-6
5 And I heard the angel of the waters
saying:
"You are righteous, O Lord, The One who
is and who was and who is to be, Because
You have judged these things. 6For they
have shed the blood of saints and
prophets, And You have given them
blood to drink. For it is their just due."
29. Verses 5-6 (cont.)
In the Greek the words, “who is to be” are
absent. Earlier in the book God is described
as the One who was and is and is to come.
Now, however, the phrase “is to come” is
irrelevant, because at this point in the vision
God has already come to execute judgment
and to pour out His wrath upon the wicked.
30. Verses 5-6 (cont.)
Some argue that a loving God would not bring
eternal punishment upon sinful man. They
say that such a God is vindictive and acts in
ways that mirror an angry man getting even
with those who have hurt his feelings or
impugned his character. The song of the
angel here refutes such a view of God. God is
not acting in a way that is vindictive, but it is
vindication for the saints who have suffered at
the hands of the wicked.
31. Verse 7
7 And I heard another from the altar
saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true
and righteous are Your judgments."
This voice is either the collective voice of the
martyrs mentioned in chapter 6; the altar speaking,
symbolizing the blood of every innocent sacrifice
ever offered in the place of sinful humanity; or it is
the voice of an angel. The voices of the martyrs
come from beneath the altar (6:9). Whatever the
source, the declaration affirms that these
judgments are “true and righteous.”
32. Verses 8-9: The Fourth Bowl
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his
bowl on the sun, and power was given to
him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men
were scorched with great heat, and they
blasphemed the name of God who has
power over these plagues; and they did
not repent and give Him glory.
33. Verses 8-9
One might expect that at this point the people
would cry out to God in contrition and
repentance, but instead, “they blaspheme the
name of God” and they refuse to repent or
give God glory. In doing this they are using
the Lord’s name in vain and are breaking the
third commandment. They are using God’s
name in profane and impious ways when,
instead, they should be repenting and
acknowledging the glory of God!
34. Verses 10-11: The Fifth Bowl
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his
bowl on the throne of the beast, and his
kingdom became full of darkness; and
they gnawed their tongues because of the
pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of
heaven because of their pains and their
sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
35. Verses 10-11
Darkness was the ninth plague and the last plague
inflicted upon the Egyptians before the death of the
firstborn.
At this point in the Egyptian saga, the Pharaoh was
willing to let Moses and Israel go and worship their
God, only without taking their possessions or their
livestock. Moses refused to compromise and God
brought Israel out with a strong arm. But here the
people continue to blaspheme God and refuse to
repent.
36. Verse 12: The Sixth Bowl
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on
the great river Euphrates, and its water was
dried up, so that the way of the kings from the
east might be prepared.
In this judgment the Euphrates River is dried up so
that kings from the east may have access to Israel.
Morris notes that, “In the Old Testament a mighty
action of God is frequently associated with the
drying up of waters, as the Red Sea (Ex. 14:21), the
Jordan (Jos. 3:16-17), and several times in prophecy
(Is. 11:15; Je. 51:36; Zc. 10:11).”
37. Verses 13-14
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like
frogs coming out of the mouth of the
dragon, out of the mouth of the beast,
and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are spirits of demons,
performing signs, which go out to the
kings of the earth and of the whole world,
to gather them to the battle of that great
day of God Almighty.
38. Verses 13-14
From the mouth of Satan, the Antichrist and
the false prophet will go three lying spirits.
These are demonic spirits that go out to the
kings of the earth to entice them into going to
battle against God and His host.
39. Verse 15
15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed
is he who watches, and keeps his
garments, lest he walk naked and they see
his shame."
Interjected into the scene is a warning from
Jesus. His warning is that He is indeed
coming.
40. Verse 15 (cont.)
This is a warning from Christ that He is coming
to gather His Church and therefore they must be
ready. They must be watching, like the Israelites
coming out of Egypt “with a belt on your waist,
your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your
hand” (Ex 12:10), ready to go at a moment’s
notice. Those not ready will be exposed as Jesus
comes and they who are left behind are revealed
to be naked, even as Adam and Eve were exposed
through sin and rebellion.
41. Verse 16: Armageddon
16 And they gathered them together to the
place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
The difficulty with the locating this place is
that there is no place called Armageddon in
the Hebrew. The closest we can get to it is
Har-Magedon, which means, “mount of
Megiddo.” Megiddo is a broad plain in
Palestine, about a two-day walk northeast of
Jerusalem, which has been the site of several
wars.
42. Verses 17-18: The Seventh Bowl
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his
bowl into the air, and a loud voice came
out of the temple of heaven, from the
throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And there
were noises and thunderings and
lightnings; and there was a great
earthquake, such a mighty and great
earthquake as had not occurred since
men were on the earth.
43. Verses 17-18 (cont.)
The seventh bowl brings cataclysmic natural
disasters upon the earth. God has had the end
in sight throughout human history and with
the final bowl that end is about to be realized.
The result of the seventh bowl is storms and
an earthquake of unparalleled proportions
and severity.
44. Verse 19
19 Now the great city was divided into
three parts, and the cities of the nations
fell. And great Babylon was remembered
before God, to give her the cup of the wine
of the fierceness of His wrath.
The great city Babylon is literally broken. It
is divided into three parts and destroyed
along with all the other cities of the
nations.
45. Verse 19 (cont.)
Early scholars understood Babylon to be a
veiled reference to Rome. More recently, with
the conflict in the Middle East, some are
choosing to take the reference to Babylon
more literally, that is, to Baghdad in Iraq,
which is not Babylon but lies several miles
north of ancient Babylon. Some early
Protestant scholars took Babylon to refer to
Rome and the Great Harlot to refer to Roman
Catholicism.
46. Verse 20
20 Then every island fled away, and the
mountains were not found.
The earthquake will be so severe that
islands will sink into the ocean and
mountains will crumble into the earth.
Earlier, we read of a time when people will
pray for the mountains to fall on them
(6:16) and here the prayer is answered.
47. Verse 21a
Verse 21a And great hail from heaven fell
upon men, each hailstone about the
weight of a talent.
Hailstone weighing about 120 pounds will
fall to the earth and will destroy everything
that they hit, crushing man, woman, beast
and structure. Surely under this barrage
men would fall to their knees in
repentance. Not so.
48. Verse 21b
21b Men blasphemed God because of the
plague of the hail, since that plague was
exceedingly great.
Instead, men continued to blaspheme God.
There is the warning that to the extent that
a man or woman lives in rebellion against
God, they are storing up for themselves
wrath for the day of wrath.
49. Conclusion
There is the assurance that God knows who
are His. God knows how to reserve His
wrath for the wicked, who are storing up
their own judgment. God knows who has
the seal of the Holy Spirit upon their hearts
and He knows who is ready and waiting for
His appearing.
50. Conclusion
We have the assurance that there is an end in
sight, that life does have rhyme and reason
and that every day God is moving us toward
the end of time and the beginning of eternity.
The only question is where we will spend it.
