Lesson One

Chapter 15:1-4

Revelation of the Seven Bowls

a) Another Great Divine Sign - Verse 1:

- “Another great and wonders sign“ like chapter 12, chapter 15 shows another sign.

- “Seven angels and seven plagues” The third sign appears in the heavens—a sign of the seven angels having the seven plagues and it says emphasis is on positive action of God in bringing history to a close. This sign is parallel to the plague judgments of Egypt, displaying God‘s power in judgment to Egypt and mercy and deliverance to Israel.

- “The wrath of God” This speaks of the last of the judgments of all history we are God‘s wrath will be complete. Read Matt 3:7; Rom 2:5, 8; 5:9; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6. In the old testament the wrath of God has a covenant implication connection and it would be directed against Israel when they disobeyed the covenant or against the nations when they went against God’s covenanted people (1 Chron. 6:19; Isaiah 13:3-4). Note: four covenants in OT: Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic. All these lead up to NT Covenant.

b) Verse 2

- Sea of glass mixed with fire... those” the sea of glass is reminiscent of Rev 4:6 in which John saw in front of the throne of God. This means that the Saints are standing before the Throne itself. The sea of glass alludes to the firmament of the waters in genesis 1:7and it’s a major metaphor for the majesty of God and being mixed with fire it has a meaning of judgment. God judges saints and sinners from his throne (20:11-15).

- “Who emerged triumphant with the beast and with the image and with the number of his name” these are the saints stand on the Crystal sea as conquerors for they have emerge victorious out of the conflict with the three things: the beast (culture), the image (Antichrist) and the number of its name (mark). This is a picture of the Saints as victors over temptation, the pressures of the world, and the cosmic powers of evil as the beast conquers the Saints by killing them (11:7; 13:7), he is being conquered by the Saints (12:11) and the lamb (17:14).

- “Harps of God” speak of worship singing “songs of Moses.” Like the Israelites saying after their exodus event, so will the people of God will sing, after seeing Christ lead them out of their new exodus from being slaves of sin, evil, and death. The song of Moses can be found in Exodus 15:1-19 (cf. Deut 31:30-32:43). It echoes themes of liberation and restoration in the new exodus.

c) Verse 3

- “The song about the lamb” This highlights Jesus as sacrifice of his blood for the redemption of all nations.

- The hymn praises God for his deeds. Celebrates God’s works (are amazing… to be praised), God’s ways (are true and just) (Deut 32:4).

- “King of the nations” Jesus is the king of Kings... the ruler of the kings of the earth.

d) Verse 4

- Two Part Question:

o “Who will fear you oh lord...?” “It means that no one can ever at any time fail to fear God when they realize his sovereignty and power (Jer. 10:7). God is set in contrast to the senseless and foolish gods of the pagans and of the apostate nation. It speaks about how God is incomparable to any other God.

o “and glorify your name?” How do we bring glory to God’s name? You do so through worship. This will be done by all nations one day (psalms 86:8). There’s a double theme here of judgment and worship of the nations. As the nations experience the wrath of God, some at the same time some will indeed “fear and glorify” God (11:13).

- “For only you are holy” Why should they fear God? Because he is holy. There is no other. This speaks of God’s worth—what makes God invaluable.

- Nations “come to worship” God. The speaks of all the peoples of the earth will either worship or mourn because of him (Rev 1:7). From every tribe language people and nation those who are blood purchased will worship him. And those who don’t have it will mourn for not having it.