Revelation 15
PNTRevelation 15:1
Michael the archangel. Michael is brought forward as a contrast with those who speak evil of dignities. He is called by Daniel “the Great Prince” (Daniel 12:1), and here “the archangel”, or head angel. He disputed about the body of Moses. The reference is not to a statement of the Bible, but to a Jewish tradition which held that the burial place of Moses was placed under the charge of Michael. Durst not bring against him a railing accusation. Yet in addressing the devil, a fallen angel, he did not rail at him, but only said, “The Lord rebuke thee”.
Revelation 15:2
But these speak evil of those things which they know not. Of spiritual and unseen things. What they know naturally. By the natural senses. In these things they corrupt themselves.
Revelation 15:3
Woe unto them! The denunciation of woes, common in the Lord’s ministry, is only found here in all the rest of the New Testament. For they have gone in the way of Cain. Living selfish lives, full of hate. And ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward. Like Balaam trying to make a gain of godliness. See notes on “2 Peter 2:15”. Perished in the gainsaying of Korah. Like Balaam they are false prophets. Like Korah, who profanely thrust himself into the priesthood and perished, they intrude irreverently into holy places.
Revelation 15:4
These are spots in your feasts of charity when they feast with you. See notes on “2 Peter 2:13”. They engaged in revelings at the “Agape”, the love feasts. Clouds without water. Rainless clouds. See PNT 2 Peter 2:17. Trees, without fruit. Fruitless, barren. Twice dead. Doubly dead, hence, no hope of fruit.
Revelation 15:5
Raging waves of the sea. Roaring and foaming like the sea waves. Wandering stars. Stars not fixed in their places, but shooting like meteors, and then going out. “Shooting stars” is not far from the idea. To whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. As the shooting stars go out in darkness, so these will pass into eternal darkness.
Revelation 15:6
Enoch also. This prophecy of the holiest man of the antediluvian world might have been preserved by tradition. It is found in the Book of Enoch, a work long lost, but recovered in modern times in Abyssinia, supposed to have been composed the century before Christ. Wherever Jude met it, he was familiar with the prophecy. The seventh from Adam. To the Jew there was a sacredness in seven. Prophesied of these. These blasphemers. The prophecy is quoted.
Revelation 15:7
To execute judgment upon all. For a general judgment. To convince. “To convict” (Revised Version). All ungodly men of their ungodly deeds.
Revelation 15:8
These are murmurers, complainers. They murmur at God’s providence and complain of his laws. Having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. Being respecters of persons for the sake of self-interest.