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The Seven Bowls of Wrath: Prelude
I. Introduction in Heaven - Revelation 15:1-8
A. We are introduced to seven angels, each carrying a bowl containing the wrath of God.
1. The seven letters gave instruction, the seven seals revealed, the seven trumpets warned, the seven personages acted, and, now, the seven bowls execute judgement.
2. There were cases of partial judgement, especially during the seven trumpets where a third portion of the world suffered various plights.
3. However, the bowls are complete judgment, finishing what was started.
B. Once again we have a scene in heaven. As in Rev 4:6, we see a crystal sea or a sea of glass.
1. Earlier, we saw those in heaven surrounding the sea. Now we see those who withstood the emperor worship standing on the sea. (They are approaching the throne of God.)
2. The sea has changed from before. It is now mingled, or redden by fire.
a. Not certain what the fire represent
b. Reasonable ideas: The fire of judgment about to fall, or the fiery trials which these people have just gone through.
3. Each carry a harp, symbolizing their praise of God. The song that follows shows their praise.
a. The song of Moses was Moses’ praise for deliverance from Egyptian bondage - Exodus 15
b. Similarly the song of the Lamb (Christ) is our deliverance from sin.
c. The group then is a combination all saved (Old and New)
d. The praise is solely for God who gives us the victory - I Cor 15:57
4. The words of the song echo the praise in the Psalms
a. Great and marvelous are your works - Ps 40:5
b. Righteous and true are your ways - Ps 145:17-21
c. King of the nations - Jer 10:6-7, Ps 86:8-9
d. His righteous acts are known - Ps 98:1-2
C. John sees the temple of the tabernacle
1. He sees into the holy of holies.
2. The testimonies refers to God’s laws - Ex 25:21-22
D. The seven angels come from the holy of holies
1. The coming judgment is from the holiness of God - Ps 97:1-6
2. Clothed in white linen
a. Often used in the description of angels - Matt 28:3, Mark 16:5, John 20:12, Acts 1:10
b. Girded in gold about the breast
(1) Remember the higher the belt, the more important
(2) The quality of material also reflects the importance
3. They are given bowls by one of the four living creatures
E. The temple is filled with smoke from God’s glory
1. This is a sign of the presence of God in action - Ex 19:18
2. It is also a sign of God’s anger - Ps 18:4-8
F. When God is present, none may enter - Exodus 40:34-35
1. Swete says “The Divine judgment are impenetrable until they are past; when the last plague has fulfilled its course, the smoke will vanish and the Vision of God be seen.”
2. Hailey says “No intercessions can change the determinate counsel of God; but when it is fulfilled, we can then see clearly that which is now obscured.”
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