Revelation 15
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And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
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Commentary
Revelation 13 presents the imposition of the worship of the beast and Revelation 14 summons worship to God, warning of the consequences of worshiping the beast. In Revelation 15, the warnings of Revelation 14 come true. The believers fear God and give Him glory (vs.7, 15:2-4), and the seven angels prepare to bring to the worshipers of the beast the cups of the wine of the wrath of God (vs.9-10; 15:1, 7). Revelation 15:8 points to the end of Christ's intercession and, as a consequence, the end of the time of grace. Jesus died and interceded for all human beings. The threefold angel's message called for each to stand beside the Creator. But unfortunately, many have chosen to follow the beast, worshipping the creature instead of the Creator, and now they will suffer the consequences of their choice.
Perhaps it is difficult to understand how a God of love could bring judgment. This is a strange work for God (Isa 28:21), but necessary for the eradication of sin. Revelation 15 is still in the future; today Jesus intercedes in the heavenly sanctuary and grace is available. Today God is proposing to you life and death. Choose life (Deut 30:19).
Flávio da Silva de Souza
Professor of Systematic Theology
Latin American Adventist Theology Seminary
Brazil
