Revelation 15:1-8 Worship before the finish of God's wrath

Revelation 15:1 The final series of judgments are the seven plagues which the angels now release on the earth, which will complete God's wrath. Since we saw the wine press of God's wrath in the preceding section, we might ask who is left on the earth to experience it? Apparently the wine press judgment was not all inclusive, perhaps falling on those who went to war in the Middle East, outside whatever city is referenced in 14:20, most likely Jerusalem. Why are the plague-angels a great and marvelous sign? Because this completes the work of God in preparing the earth for the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom in power. But before we get to the plague-angels, we get a brief view into the worship scene before the throne of God in heaven.

Revelation 15:2-4 The sea of glass was previously seen in Rev. 4:6, but now fire has been mixed into it. The Holy Spirit infuses the lives of those who overcame the wild beast by their testimony of martyrdom as they witnessed for Christ with their life. They now have the privilege of singing the song of Moses and the song of The Lamb, which appears to be a combination of Exodus 15:11, Deut 32:4 and Psalm 86:9-10. Songs of Moses are given in Exodus 15:1-18 and Deut. 32:1-43. It is probably an allusion to Deut. 32:41-43 that this song is now being sung on the occasion in which God's justice will avenge the blood of His servants. Quoting Psalm 86 seems to be the song of the Lamb in the sense that it was penned by David the shepherd. It perhaps seems ungracious that these martyrs are rejoicing in God's vengeance, although they do not sing of it directly. Instead, they rejoice that God's glorious majestic ways and acts will now become manifestly sovereign over all the nations. We may in this life fear and be in awe of God's perfect holiness, but rightly seen, we want nothing more than for His holy power to rule the nations.

          We could wax eloquent over the misery that human governments have inflicted on their people over recorded history as a direct consequence of their sinful ways. But the real focus of Biblical revelation is that any position of authority carries with it the responsibility to shepherd and care for those under the leader's charge. This applies at every level of human society: husbands and wives (Eph. 5:25-33); parents and children (Eph. 6:4); bosses and employees (Eph. 6:9); pastors and their flock (1 Peter 5:1-3); and even secular government (Romans 13:1-4). This standard of leadership will now be enforced by God's sovereign power, on earth as it is in heaven. This is truly a cause for worship. Too bad it would be premature to worship God with these words now:

Great and marvelous are Your works,O Lord God, the Almighty;

Righteous and true are Your ways,King of the nations!

Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?

For You alone are holy;

For all the nations will come and worship before You,

For Your righteous acts have been revealed.

Revelation 15:5-8 The next few verses are laden with symbolism that indicate that God, through the Holy Spirit's power, will work through His messengers who are beautiful and clothed in clean linen. The filling of the temple with smoke evokes 2 Chronicles 7:2 when the priests could not enter the house of God because the glory of The Lord filled it.