15:1 What are the seven last plagues referred to here?
15:1 What are the seven last plagues referred to here?
(cp also Re 15:5-7). The seven last plagues are (1) ulcers (cp Rev 16:2); (2) the sea turns to blood (cp Re 16:3); (3) the rivers turn to blood (cp Re 16:4); (4) men being scorched by fire (cp Re 16:8); (5) darkness (cp Re 16:10); (6) River Euphrates dries up (cp Re 16:12); and (7) a great earthquake and hail (cp Re 16:18, 21).
These plagues are just as literal as the plagues that precede them under the sixth seal (cp Rev 6:12-17), and the seven trumpet judgments (cp Rev 8:7-11; 9:1-12, 13-21; 11:14-19).
The seven last plagues complete the outpouring of God's wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth. They are the last of "the things" John was told in Rev 4:1 "which must be hereafter" - after the church is raptured to heaven - before Jesus returns to earth for the battle of Armageddon, prior to setting up His millennial kingdom (cp Rev 19:11-21).
For an in-depth study of the plagues see comments on each in study on Rev 16:1.