Bible Commentaries
Revelation 15

Verses 1-8

PLAGUES THAT END THE WORLD

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. Revelation 15:1

Here we are introduced to the last days from yet another and final perspective. It is the seven last plagues of the Tribulation. Remember, we are still seeing the same thing – the coming of the Day of Christ, ushered in by the Great Tribulation. This is an important key to understanding Revelation. On this occasion these events are pictured as bowls of wrath. Before these plagues are poured out, we are again given a glimpse of heaven and God's victorious saints. They are seen playing harps and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb (15:2-3).

While we have part of this song written here, in order for us to get the rest of it we may have to refer to the rather lengthy song in Exodus 15, or the one in Deuteronomy 32. It is of note that this latter song is about Israel and her deliverance. It is a song about the gathering of Gentiles to rejoice with his people; it is about God's help to Israel when her strength is gone.

We are told about God's ultimate purpose for the nations. All nations of earth will ultimately come and worship the true God (15:4). But before this can happen, the seven last plagues must be completed. Shining angels appear with the bowls full of God's final wrath (15:6). Here these plagues seem to focus largely upon the Beast and his kingdom as well as those who have received his mark and who are following and worshipping him.