Revelation 15

The Favor of God paraphrase

Seven Angels with Seven Plagues

¹ Then I saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. ² And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given to them by God ³ and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are Your deeds,

Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are Your ways,

King of the nations.

⁴ Who will not fear You, Lord,

and bring glory to Your name?

For You alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship before You,

for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”

The Temple in Heaven Opened

⁵ After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. ⁶ Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. ⁸ And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Footnotes:

1.The “seven last plagues” (verse 1) represent the final judgments of God, signaling the completion of His wrath. The number seven often symbolizes completeness and perfection in Scripture, indicating that God’s judgment is final.

2.The “sea of glass” (verse 2) is a recurring image in Revelation, symbolizing purity and peace in the presence of God. The addition of fire suggests the purification and judgment that accompany God’s final victory.

3.The “song of Moses and the Lamb” (verse 3) connects the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 15) with the final deliverance of God’s people through Jesus. It celebrates God’s justice, power, and faithfulness to His people.

4.The “tabernacle of the covenant law” (verse 5) refers to the heavenly counterpart of the earthly tabernacle, where God’s presence dwelled. The opening of the temple symbolizes the unveiling of God’s judgment and His ultimate authority over all creation.

5.The “golden bowls” (verse 7) are symbolic of God’s wrath being poured out. In previous chapters, bowls are often used to represent offerings or prayers, but here they contain the final judgments of God.

6.The “smoke from the glory of God” (verse 8) is reminiscent of Old Testament theophanies, where God’s presence is accompanied by fire and smoke (Exodus 19:18, Isaiah 6:4). The smoke signifies His overwhelming holiness and power, making the temple inaccessible until His judgment is fulfilled.

7.The vision of these plagues, the angels, and the temple underscores the seriousness of God’s final intervention in human history. It calls for awe and reverence in light of His justice and ultimate sovereignty.