Revelation 15

The Vials

There have been brought before us, in Revelation 12 and 13, the fearful outburst and rebellion against God that will take place under Satan and his instruments in the sphere of the Roman Empire, during the three and a half years that will precede the coming of Christ to put all enemies under His feet and establish His kingdom.

We have further learned that during this time God will secure a people for the kingdom of Christ, announce the everlasting gospel to the nations, and deal in judgment with the wicked.

Now we are to learn in Revelation 15 and 16 further details of the special judgments that will fall upon both the Eastern and Western spheres of the kingdom in which the beasts will exercise their dominion.

(Rev 15: 1) These judgments are referred to as "the seven last plagues" that will precede the appearing of Christ, and we are told that "in them is filled up the wrath of God."

(Rev 15:2-4) Before we hear of the judgments that will come upon those who wear the mark of the beast, and worship his image, we are assured of the blessing of those who will get the victory over the beast and his image. In the vision John sees these saints standing on a sea of glass, mingled with fire, having the harps of God. Does this not set forth in symbolic language that these saints have passed through fiery trial and reached a scene of fixed purity, where there will be no more fear of defilement, and where sorrow will give place to songs of joy and praise? They are seen as having been delivered from "the seven last plagues," even, as of old, Israel was delivered from the plagues that fell upon the Egyptians.

As that deliverance called forth from Moses a song of praise, so, again, this future deliverance will be followed by a similar burst of praise, that will ascribe their deliverance to the great and marvellous works of the Lord God Almighty, who is just and true in all His ways, and the "King of nations" (N. Tr.). Under the influence of the two beasts, led by Satan, the world will rise in rebellion against God and the Lamb. These saints who have gotten the victory over the beast will sing the song of the Lamb by which they delight to own that the Lamb that was slain is worthy "to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and glory, and blessing" (Rev. 5: 12), and they foresee that the time has come when all nations shall worship before God; for, at last, His judgments are no longer, as hitherto, of a providential character, but they are "made manifest."

(Rev 15:5-8) Having learned the blessing of those who get the victory over the beast, we at once see that the way is opened for judgment upon those who have the mark of the beast. By the symbols used, are we not to learn that these final judgments, before Christ comes, will not only deal with the evil of the nations, but will also be a testimony to the holiness of God's dwelling place, for the angels that are used to execute these judgments come forth from "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven?" In witness to, and in suitability with, the holiness of God's temple, the angels are "clothed in pure and white linen," and, as becoming those who are about to execute judgment, their affections are held in by a golden girdle that speaks of the righteousness of God.

Directly the angels come forth, "the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power," and during the time of these judgments "no man was able to enter into the temple." May this not set forth that when God is acting in judgment there will, in this solemn time, be neither worship nor intercession in His presence?