The seven angels with the seven plagues
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven plagues , the last, because in them he has consummated the wrath of God . 2 And I saw a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast , over his image and over the number of his name , stand on the sea of glass with harps of God. 3 And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God , and the song of the Lamb:
Great and marvelous are thy works , Lord God Almighty !
Just and true are your ways , O King of nations !
4 O Lord ! Who shall not fear and glorify your name ?
For thou only art holy ;
because ALL NATIONS WILL COME
And worship before you ,
for your righteous acts have been revealed .
Revelation ( 15:1-4 )
John sees another sign in heaven, now is was great and wonderful , he sees seven angels with seven plagues , and said they were the last because in them the wrath has been accomplished , the wrath of God . That must be awful these last plagues of the wrath of God. John also saw the victors in Christ who achieved victory over the attacks were the Romans ( politicians and rulers ) about Christians , it does not speak of Roman citizens , but if any citizen adored Rome also share their punishment .
Now, those who are singing a song of “Victory” are those who have conquered the beast and his image ! Many of these are Christians who gave their lives for Christ and never denied it as their only king . These were not subjected to bear the mark of the beast or worship the image and thus lost their lives. Many of those who are standing on the sea of glass in heaven are those who endured the most cruel punishments but always confessed Christ as Lord. “Suffer with Christ , we shall reign with Him” ( 2 Tim 2:12).
Here is the song of Moses while in chapter 14:3 we see that the 144,000 sang a new song that no one else could sing . This song of Moses sure would be the song of the victory of Israel in the Red Sea in Exodus 15. The Jews sang the song of Moses when they went back to their land after the captivity , perhaps Psalm 118 was written after the return from Babylon . Chapter 12 Isaiah expresses the time that Israel be gathered from all parts of world and relocated to their land.
II The cups and their meaning ( 15:5-8 )
After this I looked , and the temple of the tabernacle was opened in heaven , 6 and left the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen , and girded around their chests with golden sashes . 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and His power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed .
In chapter 10:7 of the book of Revelation we have to remember that Christ announced that the shedding of these cups the “Mystery of God” would be completed and that there would be no further delay. In the last seven final judgments God completed his anger, while Satan is pouring all his evil forces against believers and Jews very special. (12:12 ) . The beast has taken the earthly temple , but can not touch the heavenly temple and all it can do is blaspheme. ( 13:6 )
We see again the Temple of Heaven is opened , the opening of the temple is a reminder that God will keep his covenant with his people , Israel. Many Jews true believers would be protected by God, while others will die by faith together with many nations .
Seven angels having the seven plagues from the temple of God , these seven bowls are poured one after the other , this means that each cup produces its own effect one after the other , so the glasses have an end time different . The tops of the seven cups have poured almost entirely . The objective of the glasses described in chapter 16:6 ” For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets , and thou hast given them blood to drink as they deserve .”
The gowns of these angels means ” holiness and royalty.” The white linen dress was worn by priests in the OT, and the golden belt means king. This should remind us that we are ” kings and priests” (Rev 16) royal priesthood.
The bowls of the wrath of God are given to the angels for one of the four living creatures . These seven angels have them delivered these seven bowls and they contemplate the judgments of God on earth. Seven as we have learned is the number of correctly,of plentiful . The heavenly temple is now filled with smoke from the glory of God. The first thing that comes to mind as the smoke from the glory of God is when we remember that in the OT (Ex 40:34 , 35) when the tabernacle was dedicated the full glory of God manifested , so too did the glory of God manifested on the OT temple dedication ( 2Ch 7:1-4 ) .
Now, we see that neither saint nor angel anyone could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. I mean, nobody could intercede in prayers for world events. Since God’s patience had run out and there was no opportunity to intercede for anyone. The long-suffering of God had come to an end !
There is not much certainty what the exact order of the stamps with the events but the great scholars and students of prophecy believe that the first six seals are opened during the first three and a half years , and the seventh seal which includes trumpets and bowls covering the last three and a half years .