RSV ~ Revelation 15 Notes

Rev 15:1-16 | ISB Notes

The final cycle of judgments in Revelation are the seven bowls of wrath, which douse the earth with plagues poured down from heaven. Though parallels can be traced between the seven bowls and the seven trumpets (8:6-11:19), the bowl judgments are more devastating and extensive.

Rev 15:1 | ISB Notes

another sign: Following the sign of the woman and the dragon in 12:1-3.

Rev 15:2-4 | ISB Notes

John sees and hears the martyrs of heaven standing beside the glassy sea and singing praises to God.

• They sing an adaptation of the song of Moses from Ex 15:1-18. This was the victory song chanted by the Israelites as they celebrated their deliverance from Egypt on the shores of the Red Sea. Here the saints celebrate a new Exodus from the sin and slavery of the world. For the Exodus theme, see note on Rev 5:9-10.

• The entire Exodus from Egypt was a type of the Church’s coming forth from the Gentiles. In the end, the Lord will lead her out of this world into his own inheritance, which was not conferred by Moses, the servant of God, but by Jesus, the Son of God (St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4, 30, 4).

Rev 15:2 | ISB Notes

sea of glass: See note on Rev 4:5-6.

conquered: The martyrs attacked by the dragon and the sea beast reign victorious through the blood of the Lamb (12:11; 13:7).

Rev 15:3 | ISB Notes

Just and true are your ways: Probably an allusion to the Greek version of Deut 32:4, which is part of another OT canticle called the Song of Moses (Deut 32:1-43).

Rev 15:5 | ISB Notes

the temple: Perhaps the inner chamber of the tent of witness, which is the heavenly counterpart to the earthly Tabernacle erected by Moses (Heb 8:1-5). For the liturgical imagery and setting of John’s visions, see note on Rev 4:1-5:14.

Rev 15:6 | ISB Notes

bright linen: Priestly garments (Lev 16:4) that symbolize purity and righteousness (19:8).

golden sashes: Another article of priestly attire. Jesus wears a golden sash as the heavenly high priest in 1:13.

Rev 15:7 | ISB Notes

seven golden bowls: Liturgical bowls like the ones used to carry incense in 5:8. The use of holy vessels to pour out the plagues reinforces the idea that God’s judgments are holy and just (15:4).

Rev 15:8 | ISB Notes

filled with smoke: Entrance into the heavenly throne room is cut off by the glorious cloud of God’s presence.

• This recalls how the fiery cloud of the Lord filled the Mosaic Tabernacle (Ex 40:34-35) and the Solomonic Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), making entrance temporarily impossible. Isaiah experienced this firsthand when he saw the Lord enthroned in the Temple (Is 6:1-4).