ACC ~ Revelation 15 v7

THE WRATH OF GOD IS GOOD, BENEFICIAL AND JUST. OECUMENIUS: Their girdles are symbolic of the fact that they are effective and well equipped for their task. For concerning them it is said, “Mighty in strength are those who do his word.”These seven angels take from one of the four living creatures, concerning whom we have said much, the wrath of God in seven golden bowls. And aptly did he say “golden,” for the wrath of God is worthy, bearing within itself that which is good and beneficial rather than just, even though those who are tormented might experience distress. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 15.5-16.1.

SALVATION TO THE RIGHTEOUS, RUIN TO THE IMPIOUS. PRIMASIUS: Previously [the seer] mentioned seven angels with the same number of bowls containing the prayers of the saints. Now he says that they are full of the wrath of God. The very same bowls are said to hold both the sweetness of supplication and the wrath of destruction, for [prayers] are poured out from the saints for the coming of the kingdom of God, at which time the judgments of God will no longer be hidden as in an abyss but will be open as in bowls. Moreover, they will bring salvation to the righteous but will inflict ruin upon the impious, as the apostle says, “For we are the good aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to some a fragrance of death to death.” For if it was said of our Lord, “Behold, this [child] is set for the ruin and resurrection of many,”why would it be surprising were the bowls to bring sweetness to the righteous but inflict the vengeance of the plagues upon the impious. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 15.7.

THE ANGELS SHARE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S PLANS. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: The angels take the golden bowls filled with the wrath of the Lord from the four living creatures, as it also says in Ezekiel. This shows that eternally in heaven the knowledge of God’s plans is shared by those who are preeminent to those who are of second rank, even as the great Dionysius says. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 15.7.

Rev