Revelation 15: The Glory of God's Judgment

Revelation 15 is short chapter, and it is the introduction to the seven bowl judgments. It tells us about what will happen in heaven before these final judgments. John tells us in Revelation 15:1 (NLT), “Then I saw in heaven another marvelous event of great significance. Seven angels were holding the seven last plagues, which would bring God’s wrath to completion.” Ensuring that we understand the significance of what is being revealed, John describes this vision in heaven as another great and marvelous event. Seven angels are holding the last seven plagues, of which will bring the ultimate defeat of sin and the purification of God’s creation.

As Christians, we sometimes struggle with the unveiling of God’s judgment, because it will be harsh, and it might be challenging for some believers to see this side of God’s nature. We can be assured that it is not contradictory to His unconditional and boundless love. The Old Testament prophecy of our beloved Savior’s sacrifice in Isaiah 53:3-5 (NLT) tells us, “3 He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” We should never be confused about this central truth of our salvation: Jesus Christ nailed our sin to the cross.

He is Kings of kings and Lord and lords, but he didn’t have a glamorous existence befitting his unmatched majesty. Instead, he was born in a manger, a place where animals were fed. He was despised and rejected by the very people he came to save. He was mocked, falsely accused, and constantly faced the threat of death. Yet, he was never afraid, nor did he allow his mission to be thwarted in any way. He was wounded for our transgressions, and when he was nailed to the cross, he took upon himself the full punishment of our sins. He allowed himself to be separated from the Father and made himself the target of God’s wrath upon the unrighteousness of sin. He bore it all for our sakes, and the Book of Revelation offers us a glimpse into the agony and utter devastation of God’s righteous judgment upon unrighteousness.

Revelation 15 shows us that, as believers, His wrath is not something to fear because we belong to Him. Romans 1:18 (NLT) says, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” We must understand that His judgment is the natural response of a holy God to the persistent rebellion of sin. His holiness demands that evil be eradicated, and His justice demands that the wrongs of the world be righted. His judgments are always just, always righteous, and always aimed at bringing about restoration.

The Song of the Redeemed

In Revelation 15:2 (NLT), “I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them.”  John describes a multitude standing on a sea of glass that is mingled with fire, and they are singing a song of praise. These are the redeemed of the Lord, the ones that will triumph over the antichrist by remaining faithful to Christ and refusing to accept the mark of the beast. God will give them harps, and Revelation 15:3 (NLT) tells us that they will sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.

The song of Moses is found in the Old Testament. It glorifies our Almighty Creator for the deliverance of His people, the children of Israel, out of Egyptian slavery. The lyrics of the song of the Lamb are found in Revelation 15:3-4 (NLT), celebrating our Heavenly Father and singing praises to His holy name. Notice the focus of their song: “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.” God’s character—His greatness, truth, holiness, and justice—is the foundation of their praise. When we face trials or when we see the brokenness in the world, it is often difficult to understand why God allows suffering. Yet, Revelation 15 reminds us that every act of God, even in judgment, is rooted in His holiness and goodness. Our faith must always be anchored in the truth of His perfection, intelligence, and sovereignty. We must honor the reality that it is impossible for Him to ever make a mistake. 

The Fear of the Lord

The question posed in verse Revelation 15:4 (NLT) is profound: “Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name?” In a world that increasingly disregards the holiness and power of God, this question challenges us to examine our own hearts. We must reverence and fear God in a way that leads to worship continually. This is a fear that recognizes His absolute authority and unmatched greatness. It is a holy reverence that leads to worship, obedience, and trust. The redeemed in Revelation 15 recognize that the fear of the Lord is integral to the worship that He deserves, and we must realize this as well.

The Seven Angels and the Final Plagues

This chapter closes with a vision of the seven angels, each holding one of the seven last plagues. These plagues will complete God’s judgment on the earth. Before they pour out these final judgments, the temple of God is opened, and Revelation 15:6 (NLT) tells us that the angels come out, “clothed in pure, shining linen and wearing golden sashes across their chests.” The description of these angels—pure, radiant, and majestic—reminds us that the final judgments are not only a demonstration of God’s wrath but also an expression of His perfect holiness.

As they prepare to unleash the plagues, one of the four living beings gives them golden bowls filled with the wrath of God. These bowls represent the full measure of God’s anger towards sin, a final and irreversible judgment that will cleanse the world from all corruption. But in this moment of judgment, we are reminded that God’s wrath is never arbitrary. It is the natural consequence of a world that has chosen to reject His holiness and embrace sin.

Revelation 15 is a powerful reminder that God's judgment is a reflection of His holiness, justice, and goodness. His wrath is not something to be feared if we are in Christ. Our blessed Lord took the full measure of that wrath upon himself on the cross. He didn’t deserve any of it, but he took our place, and our gratitude should be off the charts every moment of each day for the grace God has shown us through Christ. We must also recognize that God's judgment is inevitable for those who reject Him. As His followers, we are called to respond with worship, acknowledging His greatness, truth, and holiness.

As we live in anticipation of the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan, like the redeemed in heaven, we should declare, “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty.” Let us live lives that reflect His holiness and justice, offering ourselves as vessels of worship and surrender. ■

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

“Revelation 15: The Glory of God’s Judgment”, written by Vince Mack. Blessing Beads and More© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.