1 AndThis is that other passage of the acts of Christ, as I noted beforeI saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, sevenOf which (Rev_8:9) in sending forth the plagues of the world: for even these plagues do for the most part agree with those.angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. {{See Rev_14:14}}. Now therefore is shown a singular work of the judgment of God belonging to the overthrow of Antichrist and his forces, of which divine work the preparation is described in this chapter: and the execution in the next. The preparation is first set down generally and in type in this verse: and is after particularly set forth in the rest of the chapter.
2 There are two parts of the narration: one, the confession of the saints glorifying God, when they saw that preparation of the judgments of God, to (Rev_15:3-4), another the vocation, instruction, and confirmation of those instruments which God has ordained for the execution of his judgments, in (Rev_15:5-8).And I sawThis part of the vision alludes to the sea or large vessel or brass, in which the priests washed themselves in the entrance of the temple: for in the entrance of the heavenly temple (as it is called) in (Rev_15:5), is said to have been a sea of glass, most luminous and clear to the commodity of choice mixed with fire, that is, as containing the treasury of the judgments of God, which he brings forth and dispenses according to his own pleasure: for out of the former, the priests were cleansed of old: and out of this the ungodly are destroyed now in (Rev_4:6).as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: andThat is, the godly martyrs of Christ, who shall remain faithful even in miracles to that beast; see (Rev_13:17; 14:9,10)them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name,Glorifying God, from the particular observation of the weapons and instruments of God's wrath, floating in the sea of glass.stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they singThat song of triumph, which is (Exo_15:2).the song of Moses theSo is Moses called for honour's sake, as it is set forth in (Deu_34:10).servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,This song has two parts: one a confession, both particular, in this verse, and general, in the beginning of the next verse (Rev_15:4), another, a narration of causes belonging to the confession, of which one kind is eternal in itself, and most present to the godly, in that God is both holy and alone God: another kind is future and to come, in that the elect taken out of the Gentiles (that is, out of the wicked ones and unbelieving: as in (Rev_11:2) were to be brought to the same state of happiness, by the magnificence of the judgment of God, in (Rev_15:4).Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thyThy doings.ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not feare thee, O Lord, and glorifie thy Name! for thou onely art holy, and all nations shall come and worship before thee: for thy iudgements are made manifest.
5 The second part of the narration (as was noted in) {{See Rev_15:2}} in which first the authority of the whole argument and matter is figured by a forerunning type of a temple opened in heaven, as in (Rev_11:19) namely that all those things are divine and of God, that proceed from thence in this verse. Secondly, the administers or executors, come out of the Temple in (Rev_15:6). Thirdly, they are furnished with instruments of the judgments of God, and weapons fit for the manner of the same judgments; (Rev_15:7). Finally, they are confirmed by testimony of the visible glory of God, in (Rev_15:8). A similar testimony to which was exhibited of old in the law; (Exo_40:34).And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having theThat is, commandments to inflict those seven plagues, by way of metonymy.seven plagues, clothed inWhich was in old time a sign of the kingly or princely dignity.pure and white linen, and having their breastsThis girding was a sign of diligence, and the girdle of gold was a sign of sincerity and trustworthiness in taking in charge the commandments of God.girded with golden girdles.
7 And one of theOf these before (Rev_4:7).four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power;None of those seven angels could return, till he had performed fully the charge committed to him, according to the decree of God.and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
