UPDATED - REVELATION CONDENSED - CHAPTERS 15-16

Revelation 15 – Preparation for the Last 7 Plagues

This chapter opens with preparations being made in heaven to pour out the final 7 judgments that represent the fullness of God’s wrath.   John sees gathered together on the sea of glass in front of the throne those that have “gotten victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.”  These are the martyrs from the tribulation period.  They have been given harps and are singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb in praise of His great and mighty works of righteousness.  Jesus is acknowledged as the “King of saints.”  He is also acknowledged as the only holy One deserving of the worship of the nations.  

Next, John sees the temple open; again, it is specifically identified as the temple where “the place that houses the Decalogue” (from the Greek) or “the ark of the covenant” is located.  This time seven angels emerge, clothed in white linen and having gold belts around their breast. They have been given the responsibility of dispensing the last 7 plagues which are mixed with the wrath of God that is given to them in vials by one of the living creatures.  Point is made that the temple fills with smoke from the glory and power of God and that no man is able to enter the temple until these last seven plagues have accomplished their purposes.

I hadn’t thought of this before, but because of the priestly clothing I can’t help but want to make a connection with priests.  I am reminded that we are declared to be a royal priesthood.  It’s interesting that specific point is made that no “man” is allowed to enter the temple until the judgments are over.  Could this be a reference to seven chosen men from the church, the royal priesthood, that serve as God’s angels (messengers or servants) in the dispensation of these last plagues?

Revelation 16 – The Final 7 Plagues

At this point John hears a voice from the temple instructing the 7 angels to go and pour out “the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”  

1. The first angel pours out his plague upon the earth, and all those who have the mark of the beast and worship his image develop evil, diseased sores.
2. The second angel pours his vial upon the sea, and the water thickens like the blood of a dead man; every living soul in the seas dies.
3. The third angel pours his vial upon the rivers and springs, and they turn to blood.  At this point the angel of the waters speaks up regarding the righteousness of God in dispensing this judgment since evil men were responsible for shedding the blood of the saints and prophets. 
4. When the fourth angel pours out his vial on the sun, he is given power to scorch all men with fire and heat (the ultimate in global warming).  The response of evil men—to blaspheme God [whom they know is causing these judgments] rather than repent.
5. The fifth angel pours his vial on the throne and kingdom of the Antichrist.  His kingdom is thrown into complete darkness and men gnaw their tongues in pain and blaspheme the God of heaven because of their pains and sores.  They still refuse to repent.
6. The sixth angel pours his vial upon the great river Euphrates.  Its waters dry up and prepare the way for the kings of the east.  At this point John sees 3 unclean spirits like frogs emerge from the mouths of the dragon, beast/Antichrist and false prophet.  We are specifically told that they are “spirits of devils” that are sent to the kings of the earth and the world populous to work miracles and gather them together to “the battle of the great day of God Almighty.”  The place of gathering—Armageddon.  In verse 15 God again gives a word of encouragement to believers to remain faithful and spiritually alert because the LORD’s coming is very soon.
7. Finally, the 7^th and last plague is poured out into the air.  I think this is significant since Satan is acknowledged as the “prince of the power of the air.”  (Ephesians 2:2)  As with the 7^th seal and 7^th trumpet, those on planet earth hear voices and thunders, see lightnings, and experience an earthquake—this one described as the greatest earthquake ever to happen on planet earth since man has lived here.  The wording definitely gives food for thought regarding events on planet earth before man was created, and in my mind a possible direct relation to the fall of Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels.  This earthquake causes Jerusalem to divide into three parts and destroys many of the major cities of the nations.  In fact, every island and mountain disappears.  The memory of Babylon and the false gods and teachings that emerged from her provoke God’s wrath to its fullest.  We are told that 90 lb. hailstones fall from the sky and give rise to further blasphemy from the mouths of men.  It seems impossible that there are people who live through these devastating judgments.

I think it is important to note that the previous seal and trumpet judgments were more limited in scope.  The vial judgments have worldwide impact.