Revelation 15

Chap. XV. Ver. 1—8. Seven angels appear with vials containing the seven last plagues.—This very short chapter is merely introductory to pouring out these vials of divine judgment in the chapter following. ‘‘A sea of glass, like unto crystal,” has been exhibited to us in the fourth chapter; here it seems irradiated with the divine glory, brighter than the sunbeams; and whoever has seen a summer sea in a calm, may easily form an idea of the beauty of this image. Upon this sea is placed the whole multitude of the redeemed, (for glorified saints and angels can tread the water as well as land,) who unite, as in the last chapter, with the elders and the sacred animals in the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of triumph over their enemies, and of praise for redeeming love: adding—‘‘Who shall not praise thy name? for thou art holy.” The sounding of the seventh trumpet (ch. xi. 15) is generally considered as introducing the seven vials or plagues which follow, and which themselves prepare the way for the glorious period of the Millennium, as already intimated. They must, therefore, fall toward the latter part of the 1260 days or years, so often mentioned. This commission being given to these seven angels, together with the vials or censers they were to pour out upon the earth, &c. the temple above is immediately filled (as was Solomon’s of old) with the symbol of divine glory. ‘This cloud (says Dr. Guyse) appeared like a thick cloud, awfully glorious, which was a pra[image] of the divine vengeance ((Psalms 17:8)) as going forth from the presence of the Lord, and to be executed by the glory of his power, in the destruction of Antichrist; even as the cloud on the tabernacle was of his dreadful judgment upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and the murmuring Israelites, ((Numbers 16:19, 42):) and as Moses could not enter into the tabernacle, nor the priests stand to minister in the temple, while the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord, ((Exodus 40:35); (1 Kings 8:11),) so no one could enter into this heavenly temple to intercede for preventing of these grievous calamities upon the beast: none were suffered to do this, that judgment might have its free course, till all the seven punishments to be inflicted by the ministry of the seven angels were fully executed in their order.”

Notes on the verses

Chap. XV. Ver. 1. Seven last plagues—Or “strokes,” or “scourges,” alluding to the plagues of Egypt, which gradually became more terrible as they: Ver. 2. Gotten the victory over the beast, and over, &c.—Doddridge, “Overcome the beast,” &c. Dr. S. Clarke insists that it should be rendered “Out of the midst of the beast,” as we sometimes say, “‘Out of the paws of the lion;” i.e. they escaped his power by adhering steadfastly to the true re~ ligion, in the midst of an idolatrous and corrupt nation. Ver. 3. Thou King of saints.—The MSS. vary; but Newcome reads, “O King eternal!” Ver. 5. The temple of the tabernacle—i.e. the most holy place. Doddridge. Ver. 7, And one of the four beasts—i.e. of the living creatures mentioned (Revelation 4:6), &c.——Seven golden vials.—(This chapter introduces the seven vials, all of which are comprehended under the seventh trumpet, as the seven trumpets were included under the seventh seal; for, they contain the seven last plagues,’’ in which ‘‘is filled up the wrath of God,” on the persecuting idolatrous power.—Not only the concinnity of this prophecy requires this order, but if these plagues be not the last wo, it is no where described; while the many fruitless attempts made to explain them, plainly show that the hand of time must be the interpreter.)—Bagster. 1407