(Chapter 15)

Chapter Fifteen opens somewhat dealing with the spiritual; and what is going on in Heaven. This continues the refrain from Fourteen - where we observed (from a different viewpoint and perspective) the gathering of the righteous - and the statement of extreme wrath which is going to befall the unrighteous. That is the intent and meaning of the phrase of Blood flowing out of the great winepress of God’s wrath.

Jesus referred to His Bride, and how He would keep His Bride from the great tribulation period. We saw in chapter Seven - the juxtaposition of those who qualify to be members of His Bride (the 144,000); and those numerous, numerous saints who failed to measure up; and must be tested and overcome the beast by remaining faithful to Jesus even unto death. Now, chapter Fifteen is a major preparation statement of God’s wrath to come . . . And we find that it opens up with references to those numerous saints who overcame the Beast or the anti-Christ; somewhat using statements made at the end of chapter Seven.

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes - who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev 7:13 - 17)

I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues - last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Rev 15:1 - 4)

Chapter Fifteen opens up mentioning the coming of God’s wrath. Then we mention those who overcame the beast and were victorious during the great tribulation. This is followed up with the statement that EVERYONE will worship God. This is inline with the scriptural principle that EVERY knee WILL bow before Jesus Christ; and declare Him to be LORD!

These statements are also inline with the end of Chapter Eleven - where scripture states the following:

And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm. (Rev 11:16 - 19)

Chapter Eleven details the last trumpet and those in Christ rising up to meet Him. As also seen in Chapter Fourteen. And then eleven declares that God’s temple was opened.

Chapter Fourteen ends with the great winepress of God’s wrath. We then move towards giving the details of the coming wrath; and what is happening in Heaven from a spiritual viewpoint and perspective. Consequently - we find the following statement in chapter Fifteen:

After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And 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. (Rev 15:5 - 8)

After ending chapter eleven, God gives us more detail on those events of the Beast, and the Bride; and the tribulation period which was referenced in chapter eleven; and in numerous other places in this prophecy and other scriptures. Eleven ends by declaring God’s temple to be opened; and God’s wrath has come. Fifteen concludes by showing God’s temple being opened; and revealing the angles who carry the bowls of His terrible wrath and plagues.

The seven angels being dressed in clean, shining linen, and with golden sashes around their chests - signify that the Saints who refused to worship the beast or to receive the number of his name - were righteous (clean, shining linen) & were Faithful (golden sashes around their chests. (Isaiah 11:15) ) And the seven angels with the golden sashes; who are carrying the bowls of God’s wrath - also signify that GOD is faithful. And that although GOD is a LOVING God - at this point - WRATH is going to come! The nature of God and faithfulness - requires the wrath!

Finally - Fifteen also declares that NO MERCY exists for those who worshiped the Beast, killed the saints; and rejected Jesus! NO ONE is allowed to enter the temple - (the seat of God’s mercy) until AFTER the bowls of God’s wrath have been poured out upon those who dwell on the earth. The only people who are dwelling on the earth - are those who rejected Jesus, and worshiped Satan. And no mercy will be given towards them, or granted to them. No prayers will be heard; and God’s heart will not be changed. No one can enter the temple until these days of God’s wrath have been completed.

*Chapter 14*   *Chapter 16*

"Questions??? Give a shout!"

All Greek/Hebrew definitions (unless otherwise noted) are taken from
The NIV Exhaustive Concordance by Edward W. Goodrick & John R. Kohlenberger III © 1990 by The Zondervan Corporation. ISBN 0-310-436970-7

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, International Version®, NIV84®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Copyright 2011 - Revelation Disclosed Updated 10/14/11

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