As we continue on our journey into the future which leads us into chapter fifteen, we need to remember that the Apostle John is viewing a continuation of the previous vision in chapter fourteen. It’s not over yet.
     In the first verse he witnesses another group of seven angels, similar to those who made their appearance in chapter eight. They could be the same angels, but as we shall see, their job description has been adjusted.

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God (verse 1).

In chapter eight, seven angels instigated environmental judgments upon the earth by the symbolic sounding of their seven trumpets. The harmonic blast of the seventh trumpet was released after the rapture of the two churches/candlesticks (Rev. 11:12), signifying that the transition into the Great Tribulation was about to begin.
     These last seven angels John is witnessing in chapter fifteen are about to show us that the judgments that were released in chapter eight are now coming into their fullness.
     As these angels await their cue to begin the final portion of their new assignment, we are treated to a vision of tribulation’s victorious, overcoming saints in heaven. –

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire….

The calm, clear sea of heaven’s floor of glass, is now reflecting the fires of earth’s chaos writhing under the feet of the saints.

…and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God (verse 2).

These are the souls who have been harvested during the Great Tribulation. We saw a prophecy of this group in chapter seven (Rev. 7:9-17). If we compare chapter seven with chapters fourteen and fifteen, we see the same two groups that were introduced to us in chapter seven. In chapter fourteen, the 144,000, the remnant that was sealed to minister in the period of time that precedes the tribulation, has been retired. We see them with Jesus in a position of safety with Him on Mount Zion and in heaven singing their new song. These Elijahs have gone up (Rev. 11:12) and their ministry has been transferred to the overcoming Elishas in this vision of chapter fifteen.
     All these chapters are beautifully interwoven to show us the victory and ministries of both groups of believers.
     Those Elishas who have come out of great tribulation begin their songs of praise to the God and Lamb they have refused to deny in their earth lives.

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Your ways, You King of saints,(verse 3).

These righteous ones have recognized that even though their trials were very severe, they understood that what they were going through was the result of God’s righteous judgments on the earth. They were the victims of the devil’s retaliation upon God’s people as the Lord was pouring out His justice on the wicked. These judgments were in response to the prayers of His people crying out for their vindication. Now from their vantage point in heaven, the clarity of these factors has become the motivation for their praises to God.

We note that this group is singing different songs than the 144,000, who were spared from having to endure the tribulation. They received one song that only they can sing, a reward for retaining their faith in a time of great apostasy. These other saints that have gone through the Great Tribulation are given two songs; the song of the servanthood of Moses and the song of their Savior Jesus. The songs reflect their servant obedience, their faithfulness to the Word of God and their refusal to deny the New Covenant that has sealed them in the blood of Jesus.
     They continue their songs of praise which also contains a prophecy.

Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? …

These ones who could only envision Him by faith while they were in their earth lives, are now beholding the overwhelming majesty of God. In the presence of His glory, they are wondering through the words of this song of praise “Who shall not fear You?” In the presence of their awesome God, these ones must be wondering at the foolishness of those on earth who have rejected the One who has the ultimate power over their lives. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

For You only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments are made manifest” (verse 4).

“For You are holy:” Holiness is beautiful to behold. “All nations shall come and worship before You.” Their song reflects Zechariah’s prophecy (Zechariah 14). We see that there will be a new united nations; nations that have been unified to worship the One True God of Israel through the Messiah, the image of God who descends upon the Mount of Olives at His return and subsequently reigns in Jerusalem.

After that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened (verse 5).

Apparently God is responding to the praises of His faithful saints. Praise opens doors.
     This event correlates to the time that directly follows the sounding of the seventh trumpet in chapter eleven. The opening of the tabernacle of the testimony signifies the place where Jesus is waiting. The door is open and the second coming of the Lord is imminent.

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles (verse 6).

John related to us that he saw these seven angels in the beginning of this chapter. He adds some detail here, noting that they had emerged from the temple after the door was opened. The warning period has been completed and the trumpets are replaced by bowls.

And one of the four beasts gave to the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever (verse 7).

One of the four beasts that symbolizes creation, gives the angels bowls that contain the seven last plagues. I perceive that John is witnessing a very solemn ceremony. The creation that groans under the weight of mankind’s sin, is about to experience the final purge before her promised restoration.
After the angels receive their new assignments, there is an immediate response from God.

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled (verse 8).

God demonstrated a similar manifestation when Moses finished the tabernacle, obediently and precisely following the pattern the Lord had given him. In this instance, it was almost as if God was showing His approval to Moses.
     In this similar display at the conclusion of chapter fifteen, we can see that the Lord’s approval is again being visibly manifested. God is not celebrating the demise of the wicked, because it grieves Him when men refuse His salvation. Here we see that just as God responded to the completion of the tabernacle, He is responding to the completion of the devil’s reign of evil upon the earth. The sorrow and misery that the wicked one has sown upon humanity is nearing its finale.
     The inhabitants of earth who preferred the devil’s world and refused to embrace the relationship with God symbolized by the tabernacle, are about to experience the final purge that their rebellion against God has earned them.

Copyright 2018 by H.D. Shively

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