Just and True Are Your Ways

Chapter 15 is the shortest chapter in Revelation, but it frames everything that follows. John sees another great and marvelous sign in heaven: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God’s wrath is finished. The word last signals that God’s patience with unrepentant evil is reaching its end. Before the plagues begin, though, John shows the people of God safe.

He sees something like a sea of glass mixed with fire. Those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name stand on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. The scene recalls Exodus 15, when Israel sang beside the sea after God rescued them from Pharaoh. Their song gathers phrases from the Psalms and prophets: Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations. Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed. Remarkably, they say nothing about themselves; the whole song celebrates God’s character.

After this, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven is opened. The seven angels come out wearing pure, bright linen and golden sashes. One of the four living creatures gives them seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. The temple fills with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, like the cloud that filled the tabernacle in Moses’ day. No one can enter the temple until the seven plagues are finished. God’s judgment flows from his holy presence.