by Tammy Phillips
November 11, 2021
“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.” (Revelation 15:1 NKJV)
Chapter 15 is the shortest book in Revelation. It is a small snapshot from heaven advertising what is going on before the throne and what is about to happen on earth. John calls it a sign. Isn’t that what advertising signs do? They point us to what is coming up. What does John see? Seven angels with the seven last plagues. I was surprised to find out that plague is the Greek word, plege, meaning wound, strike, stripe, or blow. This is the final blow, the knockout punch. Thank God! He sent Jesus to take the wrath for us.
“He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)
Jesus was wounded so we do not have to be. Jesus was struck so we do not get what we deserved. By His stripes we are healed, whole and complete. In the final days, all left on earth who have rejected Jesus will experience the wrath of God. Ephesian 5:6 tells us “the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (See Ephesians 5:3-5 to see what the disobedient do). He’s warned the people about their walk before. “Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins.” (Leviticus 26:21 NKJV) Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10 NKJV). Again, thank You, God!
John has already told us in Revelation 14 that a bloodbath will come. Again, chapter 15 is an advertisement to what is coming in chapter 16, a detailed look back and description of the severity of the final, executed, complete judgements leading up to Armageddon.
In Revelation 15:2 we get a glimpse of heaven and those who have overcome standing on the sea of glass. We see “those who have the victory” victory over the beast…over his image…over his mark… over the number of his name. They have harps of God, and they sing the victory song!
“They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous [are] Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true [are] Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For [You] alone [are] holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.’” (Revelation 15:3-4 NKJV)
They praise God for His works, His ways , His worthiness, and His worship. It’s all about the Lord God. They have overcome, are victorious in Him alone and recognize it in song. I know the Lord loves a good song. Heaven is going to be so full of music.
In Revelation 15:5-8 the preparation is done for the last seven plagues to be released. The angels were dressed and ready in white linen and their breast girded with golden girdles.
They were released and received the seven bowls of wrath from one of the four living creatures. No turning back. Stay tuned for what will be released in chapter 16.
I enCOURAGE you to stop and take a good look at God. Focus on Him! Revelation shows us the best of heaven and the worst that will happen on earth. God is so gracious and such a good Director. He reveals the beast, “666,” and the worst battle in history resulting in a 200-mile blood bath in Revelation 13 and 14. He knows He has challenged us and laid a lot on us. He gives us a break in chapter 15, knowing what will be revealed to us in the horrific episode 16, The Seven Bowls of Wrath. Thank God…
“God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Thessalonians 5:9 NKJV) Focus on this!
If you do not know my Lord and Savior and you have read this far, choose Jesus. He is your escape. Call out to Him and He will answer you.
Complete in Him 