Revelation 15:1-8

Revelation chapter 15 is part of what will occur after the opening of the seventh (7) seal of the book in heaven by the little-lamb which is representing the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 8:1). The seventh seal includes the implementation of judgments under seven trumpets (Revelation 8:7 - 14:20) including seven bowls as part of the seventh trumpet blowing (Revelation 15:1 - 18:24). The seventh trumpet with its seven bowls occur during the time of the great pressure of the completing together of the age - and will be followed by the Lord Jesus Christ's return on earth as recorded in Revelation chapter 19.

Revelation 15:1-8 records what John saw regarding the events that take place in heaven (not on earth as Revelation 14:6-20). It corresponds to Revelation 11:15-19(a) when the seventh angel blew his trumpet and prepares for the implementation of the third woe on earth.

• The first woe spans Revelation 9:1-11.
• The second woe spans Revelation 9:13 - 11:13.
• The third woe spans Revelation 11:15-19 and chapters 15-18.
  • Revelation chapters 12-14 provide additional details of events leading up to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth (Revelation chapters 19 and 20).
  • Revelation chapters 15-18 include seven bowls as part of the seventh trumpet blowing.

Revelation 15:1:

^15:1And I saw another sign in the heaven - great and marvelous: seven angels having the last seven strokes, because in them the rage of God will be completed.

And I (John) perceived (knew with my mind)...

• another sign (a designated signal or standard of authentication; previous signs are recorded in Revelation 12:1 and 3)
• in the heaven -
  • great (large in magnitude, importance, etc)
  • and marvelous (astonishing, wonderful and amazing):
• seven (7) angels
  • having the last seven strokes (holding the last 7 blows, strikes, stripes as from being hit by lashes, wounds - these are the more remote, uttermost, final or extreme strokes of judgment),
  • because within the sphere of action of these strokes (being implemented on earth as recorded in Revelation 16:1 - 18:24)
    • the rage of God (God's rage, the intense passion, heated-outburst from His mind, as a sudden flame from a burning fire)
    • will be completed (will be brought to its ending issue, caused to be accomplished, in the state of completeness, its completion - this verb is in the aorist tense, which is why it may be translated as a past event, however, this tense can refer to any time past, present, or future emphasizing that once this event is accomplished it is done, finished, it will not need to be done a second time!).

[Reference: Revelation 10:7, 14:10.]

Verses 2-4:

^.2And I saw as a glassy sea having been mingled² (in) fire, and the (people) being-victorious - from the wild-animal and from its image and from the number of its name - having stood² on the sea, the glassy (sea), having lyres of God, ^.3and they sing the song of Moses the slave of God and the song of the little-lamb saying, "Great and marvelous (are) Your works, Lord God, the All-Strong-One; righteous and true (are) Your ways, the King of the nations. ^.4Who may never be caused-to-fear, Lord, and will glorify Your name because (You are the) only Holy (God), because all the nations will have-come and will worship before You because Your righteous-actions were manifested?"

And I perceived (knew with my mind)...

• in comparison to a glassy sea (a body of water made of/with clear glass)
  • which was and continues mingled (blended, mixed)
    • in/with fire,

...and the people being victorious (those among every nation who are actively gaining the victory, conquering)...

• - from the wild-animal
• and from its image
• and from the number of its name (refer to Revelation chapter 13) -

...stood and continue standing down on the glassy sea and they have (hold) lyres of God (stringed instruments such as lyres, harps, guitars, or lutes), and they sing...

• the song of Moses the slave of God (he was bound to serve God, he was God's bond-servant; Moses himself remains dead until the time of his resurrection recorded in Revelation chapter 20)
• and the song of the little/small lamb (referring to the Lord Jesus Christ emphasizing the viewpoint of the man Jesus carrying out God's requirements during his life, including his sacrifice and his resurrection, in order to reach and attain the victory of redemption and salvation)....

The Greek word translated "song" may be transliterated into the English as "ode" and refers to a song being sung in celebration and thankfulness, whether it is for a special occasion, a battle, harvest, etc - triumph and victory. Moses' song in Deuteronomy 31:16 - 32:47 records how God dealt with mankind and looked forward to the final judgment. The song of the little-lamb in Revelation 15:3 and 4 praises the only true God regarding its compete and final fulfillment relative to mankind (all nations).

The people being victorious among every nation, during the time when the wild-animals exist (refer to Revelation chapter 13), sing the song of Moses the slave of God and the song of the little-lamb saying...

• "Great (large in importance, magnitude, depth, degree, measure, quality, rank, eminence, etc)
• and marvelous (astonishing, wonderful, and amazing)
  • are Your works (the things that are wrought, the deeds, the effects-produced with/by You having acted expending Your energy),
    • Lord God,
      • (the word "Lord" is the Greek word kurios and here it emphasizes and confirms the validity and authenticity of God’s lordship, dominion and authority over and relative-to His creation, plus the respectful submission due to Him; also, this word is used in Greek as a translation for the Hebrew word Jehovah / Yahweh and refers to God in His covenant-relationship to that-which He created)
      • (the word "God" refers to the First, Superior or Ultimate One, the One Who has power, executes judgment, and emanates what He is, His power and light; He is the only true God; also, the usage of the name of God refers to the fullness of everything involved with Himself, all that He is and will continue to be, all of His authoritative-power, ability, workings, etc, His distinguishing and distinctive constitution, character, and quality),
    • the All-Strong-One,
      • (God is the One being totally strong, having all strength, every superiority and dominion in exerted force, almighty in relation to whom/what He has created; this emphasizes God's strength from/with which He gracefully supplies what is needed to/for His people, and to/for the rest of His host of beings; refer to II Corinthians 6:18, plus Romans 9:29 and James 5:4 where God is referred to as the Lord of Hosts which is from the same root word in Hebrew);
• righteous (just, in the state of justness)
• and true (the quality and essence of trueness, the consistency is truth - not a copy or an example, but actual, real, genuine)
  • are Your ways (manners of actions, methods of proceeding),
    • the King of the nations (the Sovereign, Royal Ruler, Monarch, having royal dominion and government and rule and territory and power, etc, of, pertaining to, over people from all nations without reference to their background).
• Who may never be caused to fear (the word translated “never” comes from two Greek words both meaning “no” or “not” – the double negative emphasizes the point – who would not ever be frightened, who would not at any time be afraid, fearful at the consequences of his performance of any wrong behavior),
  • Lord (Master, You exercise Your dominion and authority; as verse 3 above),
• and will glorify Your name (will give the importance, splendor, renown to everything that God's name represents and stands for, Your distinguishing and distinctive constitution, character, quality, workings, etc)
  • because You are the only Holy God (the only, alone and no other, God is Holy; this word translated "Holy" means: the One Who practices holiness which is pure Godliness free from all crime, Who is in the state of constantly observing all that God says, Who practices every duty and function and thereby fulfills every obligation which God has given to be believed and carried-out - God practices what He says, He fulfills His obligations),
• because all the nations will have-come (they will be in the state of having arrived, they will definitely be here, present)
• and will worship before You (the people from all nations will pay homage to You, they will be obeisant towards You, recognizing You as their superior in Your sight and presence)
  • because Your righteous-actions (Your just actions, the effects, products, results of You God carrying out Your righteousness, Your pronounced justice issuing from the process of justification, making things right)
    • were manifested (caused to be evident, brought to light, shown forth)?"

The answer to this question is: none, not-one, no person or spirit - which we will read in Revelation chapters 21 and 22 after the implementation of the final judgments.

[Reference: Deuteronomy 18:15, chapters 31 and 32, 34:5; Joshua 1:1, 2 and 7; Psalm 86:9-13, 111:2, 139:14, 145:17; Malachi 1:11; Romans 1:32; Ephesians 2:10; I Thessalonians 1:9; I Timothy 1:17, 6:15; Hebrews 1:3 and 10, 3:1-6, 4:4; I Peter 2:9; Revelation 4:6 and 8, 6:10, 7:9-17, 11:17, chapter 13, 14:1-3 and 7; 16:5. Note: verbs with a superscript 2 (²) immediately following them indicate the "perfect" tense - details are provided in the "Relevant Notes" link of this study.]

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Revelation Chapter 16