I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. (Revelation 15:1-2a, NIV 1984).
My Musings – With the “seven last plagues” (variously translated as being poured from cups, bowls or vials) God’s wrath is no longer partial or temporary (as they were with the seven seals and seven trumpets). They are “last, because with them God’s wrath is completed,” irrevocable and everlasting. The partial (one-third) judgments of the trumpets suggested that God uses the sufferings and evils of this life as a warning to draw humankind toward repentance and faith. But such tribulations also foreshadow the final hour of judgment, when God’s wrath is finished and there is “no more delay.”
In addition to complete, a more literal translation might be finished, or consummated. Although the plagues are still future, their certainty and finality are such that they are described as if they have already taken place and are in the past. In other words, these judgments of God are so certain of fulfillment that the future can be spoken of in the present or past tense.
This portion of the text is a summary of the vision that follows, as the angels had not yet received the bowls. But here, in anticipation of receiving them, they are spoken of as having them. There are no more plagues after these until the Lord’s comes in final judgment. These plagues are characterized as judgments that harden mankind’s hearts in much the same way as Pharaoh was hardened.
Between the sixth and seventh seals and the sixth and seventh trumpets we were told of God’s protection of, and mission for, the people of God. But with the seven bowls there is no break between the sixth and seventh outpourings of judgment. Now only wrath remains. There is no more delay. Babylon the Great, the symbol for all who have set themselves against the Most High God, will fall.
John sees “what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire,” which is likely a reference to the molten sea or great brazen laver before the mercy seat of the earthly temple used for the purification of the priests. It typifies the baptism by water and the Spirit of all who are made kings and priests to God. Mingled with fire could be a reference to the baptism on earth with fire (“fiery trials”) that Christ’s people undergo to purify them, in the same way that gold is purified of its dross in a furnace. It is also a reminder that “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29, NIV 1984) and that His wrath is about to be revealed.
“Standing by the sea” is a scene that is somewhat reminiscent of Israel following the Exodus and the destruction of the Egyptian in the Red Sea. Standing here were “those who had been victorious over the beast,” tribulation saints slain for their faith. Although slain, John says that they “had been victorious over the Beast.” They refused to wear his mark or worship his image. They lost their lives but did not forfeit their souls. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” (Luke 12:4, NIV 1984).
In losing their lives for Christ’s sake, they found them again. “Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, NIV 1984). Even when Christians die for the faith, they are victors, not losers. Here the souls of these martyred saints will sing by the heavenly sea. In Revelation 20:4, their dead bodies will be raised so that the company might reign with Christ during the Millennium. “If we endure with Him, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
My Advice – Not mine, but Christ’s. “I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:5, NIV 1984). But you need not fear God’s judgment if you’ve accepted His grace.
Resources:
Sloan, R. B. (1998). The Revelation. In D. S. Dockery (Ed.), Holman concise Bible commentary (p. 677). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 587). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 289). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 608-609). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 839). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Brew Is A Musing 