REVELATION CHAPTER 15
It is sometimes good to see the good that will come after the bad, before the bad happens.
This is a happy chapter before the last 7 plagues which we will see in chapters 16, 17, and 18. Here John sees the Celestial Kingdom and the angels sent from there with the plagues of destruction before the Millennium. Some of the people in the Celestial Kingdom may have been killed by the beast and now are seen triumphant over him.
Verse 1 - “Is filled up” is a translation of the Greek word “teleo” which means concluded, filled up or perfected, wrath of God. He has taken all that he is going to take.
Verse 2 - A vision of the Celestial Kingdom filled with people who had earned the right to be there. Some of them had died in mortality, victims of the Beast. Fire is an indication of God’s presence. Fire also is used to consume the wicked. Harps again prove to be heavenly instruments.
Verse 3 - The “song of Moses” is probably the song Israel sang when the Lord delivered them from Egypt. (Ex. 15:1-9). The song of the Lamb’s words is in the verse and is referred to in D&C 133:56. The words continue in verse 4.
Verse 5 - The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in Moses’ day was so called because it contained the stone tablets. See 11:19. Testimony can also be rendered covenant or witness. The judgments on the wicked are sent from the temple.
Verse 6 - The 7 angels are dressed in such a way that we can know that they have high priesthood office. (White linen and golden girdles). The number 7 is an indication that the judgments are complete. The fact that they received their charge in the temple reminds us that the judgments are from God.
Verse 7 - The 4 beast were introduced in 4:6-9 at the throne of God. In 5:8 they worship God. In 6:1-7 the beasts are those who are invited John to see the events in the book. The beasts are “zoon”. This beast gives the angels the bowls or vials of the judgments of God which will be poured out in the next chapter.
Verse 8 - The smoke or cloud represents the presence of God. No man was able to enter into the temple to plead for mercy until after the 7 plagues are carried out. Ex. 40:34-35, Ex. 19:18, Is. 6:4. "No millennial conditions until after the 7 plagues are carried out." (Ridges)
