15:1 And 1 I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous,
seven 2 angels having the seven last plagues; for in them
is filled up the wrath of God.
(1) This is that other passage of the acts of Christ, as I noted
before (see Geneva "Re 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) Of which (Re 8:9) in sending forth the plagues of the
world: for even these plagues do for the most part agree
with those.
15:23 And I saw 4 as it were a sea of glass mingled with
fire: and 5 them that had gotten the victory over the
beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over
the number of his name, 6 stand on the sea of glass,
having the harps of God.
(3) 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 (Re 15:3-4),
another the vocation, instruction, and confirmation of those
instruments which God has ordained for the execution of his
judgments, in (Re 15:5-8).
(4) This 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 (Re 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 (Re 4:6).
(5) That is, the godly martyrs of Christ, who shall remain
faithful even in miracles to that beast; see
(Re 13:17,14:9-10)
(6) Glorifying God, from the particular observation of the
weapons and instruments of God's wrath, floating in the sea
of glass.
15:3 And they sing 7 the song of Moses the a servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb, saying, 8 Great and marvellous
[are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy
b ways, thou King of saints.
(7) That song of triumph, which is (Ex 15:2).
(a) So is Moses called for honour's sake, as it is set forth
in (De 34:10).
(8) This song has two parts: one a confession, both particular,
in this verse, and general, in the beginning of the next
verse (Re 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 (Re 11:2) were to be
brought to the same state of happiness, by the magnificence
of the judgment of God, in (Re 15:4).
(b) Thy doings.
15:59 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the
tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
(9) The second part of the narration (as was noted in)
(see Geneva (4) "Re 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 (Re 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 (Re 15:6).
Thirdly, they are furnished with instruments of the judgments
of God, and weapons fit for the manner of the same judgments;
(Re 15:7). Finally, they are confirmed by testimony of
the visible glory of God, in (Re 15:8). A similar
testimony to which was exhibited of old in the law;
(Ex 40:34).
15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the
10 seven plagues, clothed in 11 pure and white linen,
and having their breasts 12 girded with golden girdles.
(10) That is, commandments to inflict those seven plagues, by
way of metonymy.
(11) Which was in old time a sign of the kingly or princely
dignity.
(12) This 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.
15:7 And one of the 13 four beasts gave unto the seven angels
seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for
ever and ever.
15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God,
and from his power; 14 and no man was able to enter into
the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were
fulfilled.
(14) None of those seven angels could return, till he had
performed fully the charge committed to him, according to
the decree of God.
