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Revelation
Chapter Fifteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Prologue to the Seven Last Plagues
I. The introduction to the seven plagues----for
completing the wrath of God (v.1)
II. Singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb----praising the way of God (v.2-4)
III. The
temple of the tabernacle of the testimony was
opened (v.5)
IV. Giving to the seven angels having the seven plagues seven golden bowls (v.6-7)
V. No one was able to enter the temple till the seven
plagues of the seven angels were completed (v.8)
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Rev. 15:1 “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.”
YLT: “And I saw another
sign in the heaven, great and wonderful, seven messengers having the seven last
plagues, because in these was completed the wrath of God,”
Meaning of Words: “marvelous”:
amazing, wonderful; “having”: hold, possessed with; “complete”: finish,
accomplish.
Literal Meaning: “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and
marvelous:” “great” indicates
that this sign counts for much, the extension of the seven plagues is wide and
disasters brought in by them are vast. “Marvelous” indicates that the content
of the sign is unique, the nature of the seven plagues is wonderful (because
they are full of the wrath of God) and the reaction bought in by them is
strange (because the sufferers do not repent).
“Seven
angels having the seven last plagues”
“the seven last plagues” refers to the final seven plagues during the great
tribulation. They are the third woe (See 11:14) of “woe woe woe” said by an
angel flying through the midst of heaven (See 8:13) and the contents of all the
disasters brought in by the sounding of the seventh angel (See 11:15).
“For
in them the wrath of God is complete.”
“The wrath of God” refers to God’s wrath treasured up all through the ages
because men are unwilling to repent (See
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The reason why the final sign is “great and
marvelous” is that God’s works are “great and marvelous” (See v.3). Only God can exercise Himself in great
matters, or in things too high (See Ps. 131:1).
2) The seven last plagues make the wrath of God be
“complete” on one hand and on the other, they “accomplish” (they have the same
meaning in the original) the established will of God. We suffer usually because
God desires to perfect and edify us (See 1Pet. 5:10).
Rev. 15:2 “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.”
YLT: “and I saw as a sea
of glass mingled with fire, and those who do gain the victory over the beast,
and his image, and his mark, [and] the number of his name, standing by the sea
of the glass, having harps of God,”
Meaning of Words: “mingled”: mixed,
combined; “have the victory”: overcome, conquer.
Literal Meaning: “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled
with fire,” “a sea of glass”
refers to the sea of glass before the throne of God (See 4:6). “Mingled with
fire” there is not water but fire in the sea of glass, showing that the
consuming fire instead of blood is used in the last seven plagues.
“And
those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and
over the number of his name” those refer to
overcomers who are martyred because they are unwilling to worship the beast
(antichrist). It shows that there are still overcomers being raptured
continually during the great tribulation and it is not like the traditional
teaching that “the whole church is raptured at a time before the great
tribulation”.
“Standing
on the sea of glass, having harps of God” “standing on the sea of glass” indicates that
these men have avoided the judgment of God’s consuming fire. “Harps of God”
refers to harps given by God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men who have missed the chance of being carried
up into heaven before the great tribulation still have the chance of being
raptured. Though the circumstances are difficult, men can “have victory over
the beast” as long as they hold fast to the faith. It seems not difficult. But
actually it is not easy because they must have endurance and faith (See 13:10;
14:12).
2) The most beautiful music in the universe is
learned from the experiences of difficulties----the diploma of graduation of
difficulties is “harps of God”. The difficulties in the world bring up the
heavenly joy because God gives
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness (Is. 61:3).
Rev. 15:3 “They sing the song of
Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and
marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O
King of the saints!”
YLT: “and they sing the
song of Moses, servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, `Great and
wonderful [are] Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty, righteous and true [are]
Thy ways, O King of saints,”
Meaning of Words: “works”: behavior,
deeds; “the saints”: the nations; “ways”: trace, means; “just”: righteous;
“true”: truthful, real.
Literal Meaning: “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb, saying:”
“The song of Moses” praises that God executed the salvation, that the people of
God were delivered from the hand of Pharaoh (See Exod. 15:1-18) and it
represents the songs praising God who judged His enemies. “The song of the
Lamb” praises that the Lamb executed the salvation, that he whoever believes in
Him shall be redeemed and delivered from sins and it represents the songs
praising Christ who has accomplishes the salvation.
“‘Great
and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!” “You works” emphasizes that God judges antichrist
and his followers (See 14:17-20). “Great and marvelous” indicates that God’s
works are great in the effect and are marvelous in the nature.
“Just
and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!” “You ways” emphasizes on the principle on God
judges. “Just and true” indicates that the principle of God’s ways is
absolutely just and true and He judges on the principle of justice and truth.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God’s salvation is perfect which delivers us
from the enemies and sins in the negative aspect and makes us receive life and
enjoyment in the positive aspect.
2) Men who know God not only know His works but
also understand His ways (See Ps. 103:7). Many times it is hard for us to
understand only by God’s works (See Heb. 4:10), however, if we can grasp His
ways of deeds, all the difficulties will be readily solved.
Rev. 15:4 “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."”
YLT: “who may not fear
Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? because Thou alone [art] kind, because all
the nations shall come and bow before Thee, because Thy righteous acts were
manifested.'”
Meaning of Words: “alone”: only;
“judgments”: righteous deeds, the standard of judgment.
Literal Meaning: “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your
name?” “Fearing You” is
in contrast with worshiping the beast and the image of the beast (See v.2;
14:11). “Your name” is in contrast with the name of the beast (See v.2; 14:11).
“For
You alone are holy.” “Holy” refers to
God’s disposition and only God is holy.
“For
all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” Righteousness refers to God’s deeds. God’s
deeds are righteous and therefore it is called “judgments”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Worshiping the beast and the image of the beast
does not fear God. Receiving the make of the name of the beast and the number
of its name does not give glory to the name of God.
2) God’s disposition is holy and therefore He
cannot suffer any evil. God’s deeds are righteous and therefore His judgments
are righteous (See 16:5).
Rev. 15:5 “After these things I looked,
and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.”
YLT: “And after these
things I saw, and lo, opened was the sanctuary of the tabernacle of the
testimony in the heaven;”
Meaning of Words: “tabernacle of the
testimony”: the tent of the testimony; “open”: open up, open wide.
Literal Meaning: “After these things” refers to after the songs and praise (See v.3-4).
“I
looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was
opened.” “The tabernacle of
the testimony” refers to the ark into which the testimony is put (See Exod.
25:16). “The
temple of the tabernacle” means that God
judges here. “The
temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened” Here it seems to specially mention “the
tabernacle of witness” of the people of Israel (See Acts. 7:44) while they were
in the wildness with the purpose of emphasizing that God is faithful and keeps
the covenant and He still remembers His covenant made with the people of Israel
when He judges.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven
was opened” (See 11:19). If we
believers have the heavenly sight, we will see that God has prepared to take
action, however, are we ready?
2) God makes us learn again and again that He is
God who is faithful and keeps the covenant and His promises must be
accomplished (See 2Cor. 1:20).
Rev. 15:6 “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.”
YLT: “and come forth did
the seven messengers having the seven plagues, out of the sanctuary, clothed in
linen, pure and shining, and girded round the breasts with golden girdles:”
Meaning of Words: “having”: hold,
possessed with; “plague”: stripe, wound.
Spiritual Meaning: “And out of the temple came
the seven angels having the seven plagues” “out of the temple” indicates that the order of
God has been sent out and the seven angels were about to take action.
“Clothed
in pure bright linen” it symbolizes that
they full adhere to the holy and righteous principle and never take pity on
anyone when they carry out the task.
“And
having their chests girded with golden bands.” It symbolizes that their intention is completely
restricted by God and they never practice favoritism.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) A servant of God must do according to God’s
arrangements and instructions in everything and he has to wait for the order of
God even about the time (See John. 7:6).
2) When we serve God, we always add our ideas to
the meaning of God, that the effect of our service is discounted. We should
learn to look upon the guidance of God and obey it absolutely.
Rev. 15:7 “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.”
YLT: “and one of the four
living creatures did give to the seven messengers seven golden vials, full of
the wrath of God, who is living to the ages of the ages;”
Meaning of Words: “full”: be filled,
overflow; “wrath”: fierceness, indignation.
Literal Meaning: “Then one of the four
living creatures” “four living
creatures” represent all the living creatures (See 4:6-7). When the first four
seals were opened, they all appeared. And one of them appeared at this moment
when the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal was about to be carried out. It is
coherent and the whole sign of the seven seals is related to creatures,
especially the living ones.
“Gave
to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives
forever and ever.” “Full of the wrath
of God” indicates that all God’s wrath treasured up all through the ages is
here. “Who lives forever and ever” implies that the pain brought in by the
punishment of God’s wrath will last forever and ever (See 20:10). “Seven golden
bowls” indicates that the seven last plagues (See v.1) were made by them.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of
the living God (Heb. 10:31) because He lives forever and ever. And therefore
the consequence of His judgment also lasts forever and ever.
2) It has two meanings that God’s wrath is carried
in seven golden bowls: a) “gold” symbolizes the disposition of God and God’s
wrath is the righteous anger. He does not give vent to His anger at will. b)
Being carried in “bowls” showing that the objects and degree of wrath are
controlled merely to achieve the purpose of God.
Rev. 15:8 “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.”
YLT: “and filled was the
sanctuary with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power, and no one was
able to enter into the sanctuary till the seven plagues of the seven messengers
may be finished.”
Meaning of Words: “completed”:
finished, accomplished.
Literal Meaning: “The temple was filled with smoke from the glory
of God and from His power” “glory” refers to
God’s appearance; “power” refers to God’s exertion. “Was filled with smoke”
shows that God’s wrath is at its peak.
“And
no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels
were completed.” It shows that no
one can ask for a favor because the chance for men to be forgiven and repent has
passed.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The great tribulation also manifests God’s power
and glory. We can experience the presence of God if we can look upon God in all
our circumstances, even in the negative and bad circumstances.
2) God’s tolerance and patience has certain limit.
When the chance of His tolerance and patience has passed, it is impossible to
remedy the situation.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Knowing God from the Sign before the Seven
Last Plagues
A. His works are great----everything of God is great (See Neh. 6:3)
B. His works are marvelous----God’s works are of the riches of His
wisdom and knowledge (See Rom. 11:33) and therefore all things done by Him are
marvels (See Exod. 34:10)
II. The wrath of God is complete in the seven plagues
and we know that God’s ways are just and true
(v.1, 3)
A. His ways are righteous----God’s judgment is righteous (See
B. His ways are true----God is faithful and keeps the covenant (See
Deut. 7:9; Heb. 10:23)
III. We know all the aspects of God from the song
of Moses and the song of the Lamb (v.3-4)
A. He is Lord God----the holy master
B. He is Almighty----providing everything
C. He is the King of all saints----the king of all nations
D. He alone is holy----the only holy one
E. His judgments have been manifested----righteous deeds
F. He is worthy of fear, glory and worship
IV. We know all the aspects of God from the
arrangement of the seven plagues (v.5-8)
A. the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened
----He is the faithful God who keeps the covenant (See 2Cor. 1:20)
B. the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright
linen ----they fully adhere to the holy and righteous principle and never take
pity on anyone when they carry out the task
C. having their chests girded with golden bands----their intension is
fully restricted by God and never practice favoritism
D. seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God----God’s wrath is the
righteous wrath merely in order to achieve His established purpose
E. He is God who lives forever and ever----the punishment shall make
those who are punished be tormented forever and ever (See 20:10)
F. God’s glory and power is manifested
G. The temple was filled with smoke and no one was able to enter the
temple ----the time-limit of tolerance has passed and no one can ask for a
favor
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren