The Revelation to John Chapter 15:1­8 I. Introduction A. With the background visions given, John turn his attention to the ______ preparations of the final outpouring of God’s wrath through the seven bowl (vial) judgements. B. The contents of the seal and trumpet judgments have been severe, but will be overshadowed by the ____________ of what will come forth from the seven bowls. II. The Praises of the Saints (vv.1­4) A. John describes the various attributes to the scene of _________ by those who have died during the tribulation. B. Preceding the worship is John’s account of the ___________ of worship. C. The sea in verse 2 is paralleled with the image of the sea in Revelation 4:6. This imagery might suggest a number of associations. The image in 15:2 calls to mind the waters of the Red Sea. The defeat of Pharaoh and the pushing back of the waters foreshadowed God’s final victory over evil (Is. 51:9–11). If so, the sea of glass pictures waters subdued under God’s _______. Moreover, the extent and beauty of the crystal­like sea, when taken together with the precious stones in Revelation 4:3 and 21:18–21, suggest the magnificence and preciousness of God’s ________. The numerous parallels elsewhere with the temple might suggest that this sea is the heavenly counterpart of the sea in Solomon’s __________ (1 Kin. 7:23–25). Finally, the picture of heavenly water might suggest that God faithfully supplies water from heaven (Deut. 11:11). It is consistent with the style of Revelation to weave together a 1 number of Old Testament images. D. John’s first description was what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. This is probably the same sea that was described in 4:6. Beside this sea John saw the 2 martyred dead, the same group described in 7:9–17. E. These saints are mentioned as singing the “song of Moses” and the “song of the Lamb,” but the lyrics in verses 3 and 4 are for one song. Why is this? The descriptions of the song bear upon the identity of the saints. The _________ believers have a song based upon Moses. __________ believers cannot sing that song as it is titled, but can sing the same lyrics because they have been redeemed by the Lamb. 1 R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: ​ ​ Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 1853. 2 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. ​ ​ J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 965–966. F. The difference in song does not mean that Jews and Gentiles were treated differently in terms of salvation, but that their history and relationship to God had different ____. G. The lyrics of verses 4 and 5 should be considered. The idea that God is the King of the __________ suggests both his preeminence in creation and his sovereignty over 3 the nations of the world. John echoes Paul in Philippians 2:9–11. H. In verse 5, John explains that when the nations observe the righteous acts of God revealed in these plagues, all __________ of fairness and justice are effectively curtailed. Rather, recognizing that God is eminently righteous in his acts of judgment, 4 the nations both fear God and bring glory to his name. III. The Procession of the Seraphim (vv.5­8) A. The temple (tent: ESV) is “the tabernacle of testimony” as the heavenly equivalent of the tabernacle that was with Israel in the _____________. B. The “________” (witness: ESV) referred to is the Ten Commandments, which Moses placed in the ark of the tabernacle. Therefore, the Law of the Lord is his __________, which reveals his just will. The tabernacle­sanctuary was placed in Israel’s midst because God was to “dwell among” the Israelites and continue to reveal his will to them through Moses (Acts 7:44). The tabernacle with the ark also represented the _________ of God, since substitutionary animal sacrifices were offered there to atone for Israel’s sin and to reconcile the nation to their Lord. But now for John the tabernacle witnesses no longer to divine mercy but to judgment, introduced in Rev. 5 15:5 as the source of the following bowl plagues. C. Here and elsewhere the bowl punishments are called “seven plagues.” The only place elsewhere in Scripture where the same phrase occurs is Leviticus 26:21. These were warning judgments meant to bring true believers to repentance. If this background is included behind the bowl plagues, then the afflictions cited there not only purge and punish but also serve as warnings to __________. But the emphasis is on successively severer ordeals because of lack of repentance from idolatry, all of which ends in final 6 judgment. 3 Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, ​ ​ TN: B&H, 2012), 301–302. 4 Ibid., 302. 5 G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament ​ ​ Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999), 801–802. 6 Ibid., 803. D. Verse eight describes the sovereignty and ________ of God during the execution and completion of the judgements. When these judgments should be completed, then the wrathful presence and agency of God being withdrawn, He might again be 7 _______________.” 8 IV. Application A. The wrath of God is a biblical doctrine that cannot be disputed or ignored. B. True worship includes singing to God about his perfect deeds and ways. C. Ultimately, all nations will bow before God. D. The full presence of the glory of God is more than any created being can endure. 7 John Peter Lange et al., A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible ​ ​ Software, 2008), 291. 8 Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & ​ ​ Holman Publishers, 1998), 275–276. .