Revelation 15 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                        "THE BOOK OF REVELATION"

                            Chapter Fifteen

With the main adversaries identified (the dragon, the sea beast, the
land beast, and Babylon) and the people of God reassured of ultimate
victory (chs. 12-14), the full out-pouring of God's wrath is about to
be shown.  Chapter fifteen is a "prelude" to the seven bowls of wrath
described in the next chapter.

We are introduced to seven angels who have the seven last plagues in
which the wrath of God is complete (1).  Before the seven angels are
given their bowls, however, John sees those victorious over the beast
standing on a fiery sea of glass having harps of God.  Singing the song
of Moses and the song of the Lamb, they praise God for His righteous
judgments (2-4).  This scene is reminiscent of the Israelites praising
God for their victory over the Egyptians after crossing the Red Sea
(cf. Exo 14:30-15:21).

The seven angels with the seven plagues then proceeded out of the temple
of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven, clothed in bright linen and
chests girded with gold bands.  One of the four living creatures gave 
them seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God.  At that point the 
temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and His power, 
preventing anyone from entering the temple until the seven plagues were
completed (5-8).  Perhaps this scene was designed to convey that the time
of God's longsuffering was over, and the outpouring of His wrath was the
result of fulfilling the covenant He had with His people.  God is about
to avenge His saints!

POINTS TO PONDER

*  How the stage is set for the final outpouring of God's wrath on the
   beast and those who follow him

*  The comforting scene of those victorious over the beast as they praise
   His righteous judgment

OUTLINE

I. PRELUDE TO THE SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH (1-4)

   A. A GREAT AND MARVELOUS SIGN IN HEAVEN (1-2)
      1. John sees seven angels
         a. Having the seven last plagues
         b. In which the wrath of God is complete
      2. John sees a sea of glass mingled with fire, and a great 
         multitude
         a. It is those who have the victory over the beast, his image,
            his mark, and the number of his name
         b. They are standing on the sea of glass, with harps of God

   B. SINGING THE SONG OF MOSES AND OF THE LAMB (3-4)
      1. The multitude is singing the song of Moses, and the song of the
         Lamb
      2. A song which praises the Lord God Almighty, King of the saints
         a. For His great and marvelous works
         b. For the truth and justice of His ways
         c. For He is worthy of reverence and glory
         d. And all nations shall come and worship before Him, for the 
            manifestations of His judgments

II. SEVEN ANGELS AND SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH (5-8)

   A. THE SEVEN ANGELS (5-6)
      1. The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven is
         opened
      2. Out come the seven angels having the seven plagues
         a. Clothed in pure bright linen
         b. Having their chests girded with golden bands

   B. THE SEVEN GOLDEN BOWLS (7-8)
      1. One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels:
         a. Seven golden bowls
         b. Full of the wrath of God who lives forever
      2. The temple was filled with smoke
         a. From the glory of God and from His power
         b. No one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues
            were completed

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Prelude to the seven bowls of wrath (1-4)
   - Seven angels and seven bowls of wrath (5-8)

2) What great and marvelous sign did John see in heaven? (1)
   - Seven angels having the seven last plagues, in which the wrath of
     God is complete

3) Who was standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire? (2)
   - Those who have the victory over the beast, his image, mark, and
     number of his name

4) What were they doing? (3)
   - Singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb

5) For what were they praising the Lord God Almighty? (3-4)
   - His great and marvelous works   - His holiness
   - His just and true ways          - The manifestation of His judgments   

6) What did John see after these things? (5-6)
   - The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven opened
   - Out of which came the seven angels with the seven plagues

7) What did one of the four living creatures give to the seven angels?
   (7)
   - Seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God

8) What happened to the temple at that point? (8)
   - It was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power
   - Preventing anyone from entering the temple till the seven plagues
     were completed
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