Revelation 15:1-8

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.  And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.  And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!  Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!  Who will not fear, O Lord,and glorify your name?  For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”  After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And 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, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

The final judgments are about to be poured out on the face of the earth.  This chapter is a sort of opening ceremony for these final judgments.  The angels who will pour out the wrath of God are presented.  The saints who have conquered the beast sing an anthem of praise to the Lord.  One of the four living creatures comes out and distributes the bowl judgments.  The history of man on the earth is about to come to an end.

A PRELUDE TO JUDGMENT: The angels who are responsible for pouring out the bowl judgments on the earth are presented in heaven.  This will be the final series of judgments during the tribulation before the second coming of Christ.  God’s wrath will be demonstrated in ways that are unprecedented.  Those who have lived in rebellion against God are going to be judged and held accountable.  This vision of angels given to John is described as great and amazing.  It is certainly leading up to something spectacular.  The return of Jesus to the earth is an event that has been anticipated throughout the history of the world.  The promises of God are being fulfilled, and the people of God are rejoicing.

THE PRAISE OF THE SAINTS: The saints watch the unfolding of these events in heaven as they gather at the shores of the sea of glass mingled with fire.  Joining the saints are those who have conquered the beast.  These are likely those saints who refused to worship the beast and stood in rebellion again the evil beast and dragon.  Since the people are gathered in heaven, it is likely that they were martyred for their faith.  Those on earth would likely describe them as having been conquered.  This is a good reminder that things are not always as they appear on earth.  Death is not defeat for the believer.  Death has no victory because of the resurrection of Jesus.  This gathering of believers who are given harps join in singing the song of Moses.  This song exalts the works and the ways of God.  The holiness of God is declared along with the expected response of man to stand in awe of His glory and might.  The idolatry that plagues the world today will be no more.  All the nations represented in this group of saints will worship King Jesus and Him alone.  The righteousness of our Lord will be clearly revealed to all and our response will be worship.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE BOWLS: Now the living creature distributes the bowls of God’s wrath to the angels.  Smoke fills the temple of God in heaven, and the time has come for the wrath of God to be poured out upon the earth.  Since the fall of mankind, the justice and righteousness of God has been doubted.  People question if God will truly judge sin as promised.  These questions will all be answered and God’s justice will be clearly revealed for all to see without question.  These judgments will lead into the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.

APPLICATION: The judgment of God on this earth will come so we must warn people and urge them to prepare for the coming of Christ by placing their faith in Him.  Don’t doubt the goodness and power of God because of the circumstances of our lives in a fallen world.  Worship Him alone and stand in awe of His glory and grace.

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