The Song of Moses and the Lamb
The third and final cycle of seven judgments...
The third and final cycle of seven judgments (see study note on 6:1–16:21) is introduced with a vision of God’s victorious people singing a hymn of praise (15:2–4). Then a scene of the Temple is presented (15:5–8), from which angels emerge bearing the bowls of God’s judgment upon the earth (16:1–21).
1Then I saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven final plagues, with which the wrath of God is completed.
2And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,
The song of Moses and the Lamb signifies...
The song of Moses and the Lamb signifies that God’s will is united in the old and new covenants.
3and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:
“Great and wonderful are Your works,O Lord God Almighty!Just and true are Your ways,O King of the nations!†4Who will not fear You, O Lord,and glorify Your name?For You alone are holy.All nations will come and worship before You,for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”Preparation for Judgment
God’s Tabernacle implies God’s presence (see John 1:14);...
- God’s Tabernacle implies God’s presence (see John 1:14); even the plagues have their source in God’s presence. Christ’s sacrifice (Matt 27:51; Mark 15:38; Heb 6:19–20; 10:19–20) removed the veil between God and humanity (see Exod 26:31–35; Lev 16). Now those who do not belong to Christ experience the full force of God’s presence (see Rev 20:11–15; Isa 13:4–12; Zeph 2:1–3; Mal 3:2–3).
- white linen: Linen, a symbol of purity, was also worn by the priests when performing their duties (see Exod 28:39–43; Lev 16:4, 23; see also Ezek 9:2–3; Dan 12:6–7). The function of these angels is not intercession; they are agents of judgment. The linen therefore represents the purity and justice of God’s judgment.
- The gold sashes across their chests probably symbolize their divine mission as ministers of justice on God’s behalf (cp. Rev 1:13).
5After this I looked, and the temple—the tabernacle of the Testimony—was opened in heaven. 6And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean and bright linen and girded with golden sashes around their chests.
7Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.