Revealing RevelationSample

The Third Interlude
As this chapter opens, we are getting a preview of the end of the seven years of God’s wrath:

1. The Redeeming Lamb and the 144,000 redeemed: The 144,000 Jewish evangelists from chapter 7 are now with the Lamb on Mount Zion (heaven) praising God before the throne.

2. The Fall of Babylon: Throughout scripture, the demise of Babylon has been predicted. A second angel declares that it is ruled by a fornication-based system, meaning that it is entered solely on people fulfilling their own longings.

3. The Marked and the Unmarked: A third angel speaks about the judgment of those who have worshiped the beast and his image. These are the wicked followers of the beast who will experience the final series of judgments that will be poured out of the bowls.

4. The Great Harvest: We see Jesus with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. Inside the temple waits an angel who will come forth and signal to the Son that the time for reaping the harvest has begun. Then another angel comes with a sharp sickle who repeats nearly the same words as the first angel, but who has the authority to bring great violence upon the earth. This preview is for the upcoming Battle of Armageddon.

Preparation for Completion
“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” (Rev. 15:1).

When these seven bowls are emptied, John informs us that the wrath of God is complete.

“I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God” (Rev. 15:2).

These faithful followers remained true to God. Now, these martyrs are in heaven and are free from suffering and praising God.

“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” (Rev.15:3-4).

In the presence of God, there is joy and celebration. In the presence of the beast, there is misery and devastation that will be poured out of the bowls. The angels were sent out of the temple by the Lord, and He dispatched one of the four living creatures. This creature passed out the bowls that were full of the wrath of God, giving them one by one to the seven angels.