Revelation 15

Revelation 15:1

ANother signe] Differing from that, chap. 12. 1. and foretelling different things; as appeareth because it is called another, and a marvellous one. Therefore the former victory over antichrist, chap. 14. and this song, must either have respect to somthing done at the beginning of reformation, or be a general description of this last overthrow, by way of anticipation, which is more particularly described in the vials following. And it is called a signe, to shew, that it came not accidentally, though it was a strange sight; but was sent of God, to signifie things to come.

in heaven] Chap. 12. 1. In the Church, grown more visible and glorious. As God did roar from Sion, Amos 1:2-3. when he foretold the destruction of the nations: so here, out of the Church, come the vials of Gods wrath, to be poured forth on antichrist.

great and marvellous] In regard of the great changes and things it would bring to passe; or in comparison of the former. In these respects the whole Church confesseth it to be so, v. 3.

seven angels] So are the publishers of Gods will, representing the executioners thereof, called before, chap. 8. 7, 8, 10, 12. & 9. 1, 14. & 11. 15.

the seven last plagues] Of whom they had these: and what they were, see v. 7. They are called, The last plagues, for the reason following; because Gods wrath is filled up by them, and so the thing done, which God had decreed, on the antichristian state, chap. 10. 7. & 16. 17. They are the last that God will pour on antichrist: and the Church and world shall have happier days after.

Revelation 15:2

a sea of glasse mingled with fire] Some take it for a type of their innumerable persecutions they had suffered. Others, for the crystalline and pure doctrine of Gods word, chap. 4. 6. mingled with much zeal against papists; or, many contentions among themselves, as appeared in the controversies about the Sacrament; yet might the truth be seen still sufficiently to salvation, Luke 12. 49. Others, for the signes of Gods wrath, whereby their foes were destroyed.

That had gotten the victory] Such as had escaped the popes rage, and had helped to pull down his kingdom.

over the beast] Chap. 13. 11.

over his image] Chap. 13. 15.

over his mark, &c.] Chap. 13. 16, 17.

stand] Chap. 14. 1.

on the sea of glasse] Trampling under feet their former persecutions. Or, upheld by the doctrine of Gods word, notwithstanding their differences among themselves, and quarrels with their adversaries. Or, treading on their wicked adversaries, who are compared to a sea, by reason of unquietnesse, Isaiah 57:20-21. And that of glasse, because God seeth all their wickednesse, Hebrews 4:13. And is said to be mingled with fire, because they shall be destroyed with fire, chap. 16. 8. Or, stand on the pavement before Gods throne, chap. 4. 6. worshipping.

God openly in his visible Church. Or, stand at the sea of glasse. So the particle is used, Luke 12:6; Luke 12:30; Luke 12:40. As the Israelites stood at the Red sea, and praised God for their deliverance, Exodus 14:30. & Exodus 15:1. so these at the glassie sea of fire.

harps of God] Excellent ones; ae Genesis 23:6. Heb. a prince of God. Psal. 36 6. Heb. mountains of God. Or, harps to praise God with, chap. 5. 8. & 14. 2. when they see their foes destroyed, Psal. 58. 10, 11. Or, harps given of God. Having their hearts cleared by Gods Spirit, and well tuned to praise God for so great a victory; as appeareth by their sweet musick of praise, v. 3, 4.

Revelation 15:3

the song of Moses] Such an one as Moses sung to the praise of God, for delivering Israel, and destroying the Egyptians, Exodus 15:1. For God sheweth his power now as much, in freeing his people from antichrists yoke.

the servant of God] In a peculiar manner, by office, Deuteronomy 34:5. See chap. 1. 1.

and the song of the Lamb] Chap. 14. 1, 3. Or, taught them more fully by the Lamb; as they had the patern from Moses in part. Some take this which followeth, v. 3, 4. to be the song taught by the Lamb, and that Moses his song is not set down, because it was recorded before in Scripture.

great and marvellous] Psalms 111:2. & Psalms 139:4. Gods works are said to be so here, because he had so long suffered antichrists cruelty, and so strangely destroyed him at the last.

Almighty] A fit title: for he had shewed his almighty power, in overthrowing so great force, and punishing so many enemies, chap. 1. 4, 8.

just and true are thy ways] Psalms 145:17. Just, because thou hast punished antichrist; and true, because thou hast performed thy promise to thy people. By Gods ways, is meant his constant works. A similitude taken from a traveller.

King of saints] As those over whom he ruleth in a more speciall and gracious manner, by his Word and Spirit, Psal. 110. 2, 3.

Revelation 15:4

who shall not fear thee?] Jeremiah 10:7. Every one shall do it. Or, who should not (or would not) fear thee? Thou hast given cause to all men to do it. By fear, is meant fear of reverence, and religious worship; as it followeth, and glorifie thy Name; chap. 14. 7.

for] Or, saying, that. Thus they teach posterity, why, and how to praise God. See the like, Psalms 106:1. and Psalms 107:1. and 136. all over: 2 Chronicles 5:13. And so the Jews use it in their lyturgie. See also, 1 Chronicles 16:41. Matthew 7:23. In all these places it may fitly be so translated: and so it is full in the Greek, Luke 19:42. Saying, that if, &c.

thou onely art holy] Of thy self, and infinitely, 1 Samuel 2:2. and hast shewed thy self so to be, by destroying the unholy, and freeing the holy.

all nations shall come] Thou are now sending forth thy forces to destroy antichrist, and then thou shalt be rightly worshipped in all the world, Isaiah 66:23-24. Although, while antichrist reigned, there was scarce any hope of any such thing left in the world; yet, when he is destroyed, all that are left of those that adhered to him, shall publikely worship thee according to thy word, chap. 11. 13. & 20. 5. None shall then refuse to fall down to thee. They that knew thee not before, shall be converted.

before thee] In the places of thy publike worship, Psalms 42:2.

thy judgements are made manifest] There is no man but seeth how justly thou hast proceeded, and that, though thy judgements on them are great, yet are they no greater then they have deserved. This thou hast shewed, in freeing us from the power of antichrist, already; and it shall be made more manifest, when thou destroyest him and his adherents. For thy judgements past, are an argument to us to look for fuller declaration of thy justice in time to come: and every man may see what thou wilt do, by what thou hast done.

Revelation 15:5

the temple of the tabernacle] That is, the innermost part of the tabernacle, called The holy of holiest, and The most holy place; which tabernacle is termed The tabernacle of the testimony, Numbers 1:50. & Numbers 17:7. in regard of the two tables of stone, so called, Exodus 25:21. because in them was written the law of God, the testimony of his will, Exodus 34:28. Psalms 19:7. & 119. 14, 22. which tables were put in the ark, Deuteronomy 10:5. 1 Kings 8. 5. and that ark placed in the innermost part of the tabernacle or temple, 1 Kings 8. 6. Heb. 9. 3, 4. The temple was so open, that men might see into it out of the court, now, which in the old testament they could not. See the meaning, chap. 11. 19.

Revelation 15:6

seven angels, &c.] John saw them, v. 1. but now he seeth them coming out of the temple, to execute their charge.

out of the temple] See chap. 14. 15. Out of the Sanctum sanctorum, where the ark was, v. 5. It may import, that these were the last plagues, because they lay hid in the secretest closet of Gods sanctuary, till the rest were finished. Here is still a gradation of judgements. The angels that blowe the trumpets are in heaven, chap. 8. 1, 6. The reapers, and the encouragers, came out of the clouds, and the temple, and from the altar, chap. 14. 14, 15, 17, 18. But these with the vials come out of the most holy place, Gods closet, and secret armory. They came also by command from God; for from the oracle did God use to answer Moses, Exodus 25:22. Numbers 7:89. & Numbers 17:4. So God stirred up men extraordinarily, to help pull down antichrists kingdom. See chap. 16. 1.

having the seven plagues] See notes on v. 1.

pure and white linen, &c.] Very glorious. An allusion to the high-priests garments (who onely went into the most holy place) both for the linen, and girdle. See Exodus 28:6; Exodus 28:8. They are clad like conquerours. See chap. 19. 14.

their brests girded with golden girdles] They were ready girt, to go about their work, Exodus 12:11. 1 Kings 18:46. Luke 12:35. And with golden girdles, to shew their royall dignity, chap. 1. 13. Some great religious princes they seem to set out, who must successively weaken the popes kingdom, till it be quite destroyed.

Revelation 15:7

one of the four beasts] Or, living wights, chap. 4. 6. The ministers. See why, chap. 14. 15. It may be taken for the first, as chap 6. 1. Or, any one of them, because the rest are not named after, as in chap. 6. The meaning is, that in every age after the reformation, God will raise up, as some eminent princes to fight against antichrist; so also some famous ministers to incite and encourage them therunto.

seven golden vials, &c.] Each of them one vial full of the liquor of Gods wrath, to be poured on idolaters. Vials are cups wherein men used to drink, Psalms 76:8. Jeremiah 25:15. First were the seven seals, which were tokens of judgements to come on the world, if they repented not. Then the trumpets, thundering out greater troubles. Lastly, the vials, which come without noise, because they come not to warn, but to destroy the antichristians, as fire and brimstone was poured down on Sodom and Gomorra, Genesis 19.

They are golden, in allusion to the vessels of the sanctuary, Exodus 25:29. & Exodus 37:16. Jeremiah 52:19. Hereby is shewed, that Gods wrath is like gold, pure, and free from the dregs of passion; and also that God will get himself much glory by these judgements: For gold is the most pure and glistering metal.

full of the wrath of God] Not that God is angry with them; but, by that which is contained in them, executeth his wrath on his foes: see how, chap. 14. 8, 10. They contained many and great punishments in them.

who liveth for ever and ever] Chap. 5. 14. & 10. 6. And therefore can punish them, not here onely, but also for ever in hell.

Revelation 15:8

the temple was filled with smoke, &c.] Smoke is used sometimes, to set out Gods powerfull and terrible presence; as Exodus 19:18. especially when he cometh in anger, to destroy the enemies of his Church, that he may shew mercy to his people, in delivering them, Psal. 18. 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17. Isa. 6. 4, 11. So here God would shew his terrible and powerfull presence in his temple, by manifest arguments of his wrath against the enemies of his Church, in sending some thence continually to plague the antichristian church, from the time of the Churches reformation, till antichrists finall destruction.

no man was able, &c.] God was so angry with the papists, that no man durst come to intercede for them; but he went on in wrath, till he had rooted that religion out of the earth.