Revelation 15

Revelation 15, part of the Book of Revelation, written around AD 70 by the apostle John while exiled on Patmos, to churches in Asia Minor facing persecution, introduces the seven angels with the final plagues, the bowls of God’s wrath. The chapter depicts a heavenly scene of worship, with victorious saints singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, celebrating God’s justice and glory as the temple opens, signaling the imminent outpouring of divine judgment.
Key Sections
Victorious Saints and the Sea of Glass (15:1–4): John sees a great, marvelous sign: seven angels with seven plagues, the last, completing God’s wrath. Before the plagues, he sees those who conquered the beast, its image, and its mark, standing beside a sea of glass mixed with fire, holding harps of God. They sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, praising God’s great deeds, just ways, and kingship over nations. All fear and glorify His name, as His righteous acts are revealed.
Seven Angels with Bowls (15:5–8): The heavenly temple (tabernacle of testimony) opens, and seven angels in pure linen with golden sashes emerge, holding the seven plagues. One of the four living creatures gives them seven golden bowls full of God’s wrath. The temple fills with smoke from God’s glory and power, preventing entry until the plagues are completed.
Cross-References
Seven Plagues: 
Revelation 16:1: Pour out bowls.

Exodus 7–11: Egyptian plagues.

Leviticus 26:21: Sevenfold punishment.
Sea of Glass: 
Revelation 4:6: Glass before throne.

Exodus 24:10: Sapphire pavement.

Ezekiel 1:22: Crystal expanse.
Song of Moses, Lamb: 
Exodus 15:1–18: Moses’ song.

Deuteronomy 32:1–4: Moses’ praise.

Psalm 86:9–10: Nations worship.
Conquered Beast: 
Revelation 12:11: Overcame by blood.

Revelation 13:7: Beast’s persecution.

Daniel 7:21: Horn against saints.
Heavenly Temple: 
Revelation 11:19: Temple opened.

Hebrews 8:5: Heavenly pattern.

Exodus 40:34: Glory fills tabernacle.
Bowls of Wrath: 
Revelation 5:8: Bowls of prayers.

Isaiah 51:17: Cup of wrath.

Jeremiah 25:15: Wine of fury.
Smoke of Glory: 
Exodus 40:35: Cloud in tabernacle.

1 Kings 8:10–11: Temple’s glory.

Isaiah 6:4: Smoke, glory.
Theological Meaning
God’s Final Judgment: The seven bowls complete His wrath, fulfilling justice (v. 1; Romans 2:5–6).

Victory Over Evil: Saints’ triumph over the beast shows faith’s power (v. 2; 1 John 5:4).

Worship Amid Judgment: The song exalts God’s justice, uniting Old and New Testament praise (vv. 3–4; Psalm 98:1–2).

Universal Sovereignty: All nations will worship God, acknowledging His righteous acts (v. 4; Philippians 2:10–11).

Divine Holiness: The smoke-filled temple signifies God’s unapproachable glory during judgment (v. 8; Habakkuk 1:13).

Covenant Continuity: The song and temple link God’s redemptive plan across history (vv. 3, 5; Hebrews 12:28).
Questions and Answers
What are the seven plagues (v. 1)?
The final judgments, God’s wrath in the bowls, completing His justice (v. 1; Revelation 16:1).

Who are the victorious saints (v. 2)?
Believers who overcame the beast’s persecution, refusing its mark (v. 2; Revelation 12:11).

What is the sea of glass (v. 2)?
A symbol of God’s purity and transcendence before His throne (v. 2; Revelation 4:6).

Why the song of Moses and the Lamb (v. 3)?
It unites God’s deliverance (Exodus) and redemption (Christ), praising His justice (v. 3; Exodus 15:11).

What does the temple’s opening mean (v. 5)?
God’s presence and judgment are unleashed, as in the covenant (v. 5; Exodus 25:22).

Why smoke in the temple (v. 8)?
God’s glory and holiness bar access during His wrath’s execution (v. 8; Isaiah 6:1–4).

How does this apply today?
Worship God’s justice, overcome evil with faith, and trust His sovereign plan (v. 4; Romans 12:1).
Eschatological Interpretations
Dispensational Premillennial View:
Interpretation: Revelation 15 sets up the literal seven bowl judgments, poured out during the second half of the seven-year tribulation, post-rapture, targeting the Antichrist’s empire. The victorious saints (v. 2) are tribulation martyrs, not the raptured church, standing in heaven. The song of Moses and the Lamb (vv. 3–4) praises God’s deliverance, akin to Israel’s exodus, with nations acknowledging Him post-tribulation. The temple’s opening (v. 5) signals God’s final wrath before Christ’s return (Rev. 19) and the millennium. The smoke (v. 8) is literal divine presence, halting worship until judgments end.

Timing: Future, late tribulation, before Christ’s return and literal millennium.

Key Features: Literal plagues; pre-trib rapture; tribulation saints; Israel’s restoration.

Support: Specific judgments (v. 1; Exodus 7–11); saints’ victory (Revelation 7:9–14).
Historic Premillennial View:
Interpretation: Revelation 15 introduces the final judgments, possibly literal or symbolic, at the end of the tribulation, before Christ’s single second coming (post-tribulation, no rapture). The saints (v. 2) are all believers, including martyrs, triumphant in heaven. The song (vv. 3–4) celebrates God’s universal justice, fulfilled at Christ’s return. The temple’s opening (v. 5) signifies God’s wrath against the beast’s system, leading to the millennium (Rev. 20). The smoke (v. 8) reflects divine holiness. No church-Israel distinction; all redeemed face tribulation and reign together.

Timing: Future, end of tribulation, before literal millennium.

Key Features: Literal or symbolic judgments; unified redeemed; single return.

Support: Song’s universal praise (v. 4; Psalm 86:9); temple imagery (Hebrews 9:11–12).
Amillennial View:
Interpretation: The seven bowls symbolize God’s recurring or climactic judgments throughout the church age or at Christ’s return. The saints (v. 2) represent all believers overcoming Satan spiritually, standing in God’s presence. The song (vv. 3–4) praises God’s justice across history, with nations symbolizing the redeemed. The temple’s opening (v. 5) signifies God’s ongoing or final wrath against evil (e.g., Rome, world systems). The smoke (v. 8) symbolizes divine transcendence. The millennium (Rev. 20) is the current spiritual reign, making the bowls a present or future reality.

Timing: Church age or Christ’s single return; symbolic, not chronological.

Key Features: Symbolic plagues; spiritual victory; present millennium.

Support: Symbolic sea of glass (v. 2; Revelation 4:6); universal worship (Isaiah 45:23).
Postmillennial View (Including Preterist):
Interpretation: Postmillennial: The bowls symbolize judgments on evil, enabling gospel triumph in a future golden age (millennium, Rev. 20). The saints (v. 2) are believers overcoming worldly powers through faith. The song (vv. 3–4) celebrates gospel-driven justice, with nations turning to God. The temple’s opening (v. 5) marks divine intervention for kingdom growth. Preterist: The bowls depict AD 70’s judgment on Jerusalem (or Rome), with saints (v. 2) as early Christians escaping persecution. The song (vv. 3–4) praises God’s covenantal justice, fulfilled in AD 70. The temple’s smoke (v. 8) symbolizes God’s judgment on old Israel, transitioning to the new covenant.

Timing: Postmillennial: Gospel millennium. Preterist: Mostly AD 70; final judgment future.

Key Features: Gospel victory; symbolic or AD 70 fulfillment; cultural/spiritual impact.

Support: Song’s praise (v. 3; Deuteronomy 32:4); AD 70 for Preterists (Matthew 24:15–21).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to seven churches in Asia Minor (Rev. 1:4) under Domitian’s persecution (AD 95). John’s Patmos exile shapes the vision’s hope, using Jewish apocalyptic imagery (Exodus, Isaiah) to assure God’s justice amid trials.

Cultural Questions: “Seven plagues” (v. 1) echo Egyptian judgments, resonant in synagogues (Psalm 78:43–51). “Sea of glass” (v. 2) reflects Jewish theophany imagery, vivid for readers (Exodus 24:10). “Song of Moses” (v. 3) ties to Jewish liturgy, central in worship (Exodus 15:1). “Temple” (v. 5) evokes Jewish tabernacle, bold in churches (Numbers 1:50). “Smoke” (v. 8) mirrors Jewish glory manifestations, striking in persecution (2 Chronicles 5:13–14). “Nations glorify” (v. 4) fulfills Jewish universal hopes, hopeful in diaspora (Isaiah 2:3).

Application: Revelation 15 calls believers to worship God’s justice, overcome evil, and trust His wrath against sin. It challenges fear, compromise, and idolatry, urging steadfast faith in a hostile world (Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 12:28–29).