Revelation Chapter 15 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
Revelation Chapter 15 (New Testament)
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| σημεῖον — sēmeion | Verse 1 — “…another sign in heaven…” | “Sign,” portent. | Sēmeion (“sign”) denotes meaningful symbol (“sign”). It reveals God’s imminent judgments. The term frames the vision with solemnity. — Joseph Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ὀργή — orgē | Verse 1 — “…the wrath of God is finished.” | “Wrath,” righteous anger. | Orgē (“wrath”) expresses moral indignation (“wrath”). It culminates God’s final judgments. The term emphasizes holiness and justice. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| κρυστάλλινος — krystallinos | Verse 2 — “…a sea of glass mingled with fire…” | “Crystal-like,” transparent. | Krystallinos (“crystal-like”) conveys dazzling purity (“crystal”). Fire imagery adds awe. The term blends beauty and judgment. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| νικάω — nikaō | Verse 2 — “…them that had gotten the victory…” | “Overcome,” conquer. | Nikaō (“to conquer”) describes triumph over evil (“victory/overcome”). The redeemed stand triumphant before God. The term reinforces perseverance. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| ὄνομα — onoma | Verse 3 — “…the song of Moses… and of the Lamb.” | “Name,” identity. | Onoma (“name”) signifies divine identity (“name”). Singing of God’s name exalts His character. The term links worship to revelation. — Philip Schaff, Christian Church History (1890) |
| θαυμαστός — thaumastos | Verse 3 — “…great and marvelous are Thy works…” | “Marvelous,” awe-inspiring. | Thaumastos (“marvelous”) denotes wonder-inspiring acts (“marvelous”). It celebrates God’s unmatched power. The term amplifies worship. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| δικαίωμα — dikaiōma | Verse 4 — “…Thy judgments are made manifest.” | “Righteous decree,” ordinance. | Dikaiōma (“righteous decree”) marks revealed justice (“judgment/decree”). God’s ways prove morally perfect. The term affirms His righteous rule. — Richard Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| σκηνή — skēnē | Verse 5 — “…the temple of the tabernacle…” | “Tent,” dwelling place. | Skēnē (“tabernacle”) signifies divine presence (“dwelling/tent”). Revelation connects heavenly sanctuary with OT imagery. The term unites continuity of worship. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| λίβανος — libanos | Verse 8 — “…smoke from the glory of God…” | “Frankincense,” incense smoke. | Libanos (“frankincense/smoke”) symbolizes sacred presence (“smoke”). It signals God’s approachability yet holiness. The term evokes temple worship. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| τελέω — teleō | Verse 1 — “…the wrath of God is finished.” | “Finish,” complete. | Teleō (“to complete”) marks fulfillment (“finish/complete”). God’s judgments reach their designed end. The term stresses divine intentionality. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 15 |
|---|---|---|
| R. H. Charles (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1855–1931) | The Revelation of St. John | The preparation of the plagues signals the culmination of divine judgment and the majesty of God’s plan. |
| Adolf von Harnack (University of Berlin, Germany, 1851–1930) | History of Dogma | Harnack interprets the plagues as a symbolic representation of moral consequences and eschatological fulfillment. |
| A. T. Robertson (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, United States, 1863–1934) | Word Pictures in the New Testament | Robertson emphasizes the ritualistic and literary function of the seven angels and their plagues. |
| Alfred Plummer (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1841–1926) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Plummer highlights the chapter’s depiction of divine justice and moral order. |
| Charles B. Williams (Yale University, United States, 1860–1929) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Williams notes the chapter provides a vivid theological and ethical vision of God’s ultimate plan. |
Revelation chapter 15
Verse: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages." (Revelation 15:3)
Lesson: This verse is a reminder of God's greatness and sovereignty. It is a call to worship and praise, acknowledging that God is the ruler of all and that His ways are just and true.
Conclusion: In times of trial and tribulation, we can take comfort in the fact that God is in control and that His ways are just and true. Let us worship and praise Him for His greatness and for His faithfulness to His promises.
Prayer Points: Let us pray that we would have a heart of worship and praise, and that we would continually acknowledge God's greatness and sovereignty. May we trust in His ways, even when we don't understand them, and may we be faithful to His calling in our lives.
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