SECTION THREE POURING OUT OF THE SEVEN PLAGUES Revelation 15:1 to 16:21 PreliminaryNotes: 1. There are three sets of symbolic sevens, each one bringing the story to the end of time or the coming of the Lord. Since the prophetic history of the church from John's time was pictorially revealed in the book of seven seals, naturally the seventh seal would not be exhausted till the end. The seven trumpets came under the last seal and the sound-ing of the seventh one brings the end. (Revelation 11:15-19.) In like manner the plagues, under another set of symbols, complete the cycle, for Revelation 15:1 says in them is "finished the wrath of God." 2. The fourteenth chapter was designed to encourage saints in their struggles by predicting the fall of Babylon (verse 8) and the final victory of the righteous (verse 13). Section three points out the means by which these glorious results are to be accomplished. 3. In view of the fact that these plagues were to be poured out upon the beast and his worshipers (Revelation 16:2; Revelation 16:10), it is evident that they represent a series of events that will ultimately end the papal hierarchy--accomplish the destruction of the "man of sin." This event will occur at the coming of the Lord. (2 Thessalonians 2:8.) All this is proof that the plagues did not begin to be poured out till after the 1,260-year period, or the time when Rome's complete sway began to be destroyed. 1. AN VISION Revelation 15:1-4 1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.--This sign which John saw in heaven was one of marvelous beauty fitted to excite wonder and prepare the mind to appreciate the promise of victory over the beast. Appearing in heaven would indicate that this victory would come through the judgments that God would providentially bring upon the beast. Saying that these plagues are the last is explained to mean that when they are completed the wrath of God against the papal beast power will be finished. However long a time may be covered by the plagues, their finish means the end of the world. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name,--A similar vision is recorded in 4:6 except that here the sea of glass is "min-gled with fire." There it was "before the throne"; here it is in heaven, hence must have reference in some way to the saved. This is further evident by the fact that it is those who are victorious that are standing by it, or upon it, according to the margin. Compare the notes on Revelation 4:6. On the expressions image of the beast and the number of his name see the notes on Revelation 13:15-18. The victory mentioned here evidently refers to the fact that those standing by the sea of glass had successfully resisted all the schemes and devices of the papacy to force them to accept its doctrines and practices; this they did in spite of threats and persecutions. The fire may represent the persecu-tions in which they attained their glorious victory. (Acts 14:22.) standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God.--As the scene was laid in heaven and the persons were those who had gained a victory over the beast, it must refer to saints in glory, not to those in the church on earth. The word "harps," as a symbol, doubtless, means the praise that the redeemed will render to God. It certainly could not mean mechanical harps, for pure spirit beings would not need material harps. In Ephesians 5:19 Paul uses the Greek word psallo in a figurative sense, saying that it is done with the heart. Whatever spiritual faculties we have for praising God will be the heavenly harps. Whatever the meaning of this expression, it can have no reference to the church on earth. See notes on Revelation 14:2. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.--It does not seem reason-able that those who gained a victory over the beast should sing the same song that was sung when Moses led Israel out of Egypt. (Exodus 15:1.) That they should celebrate their victory in an appropriate song like the Israelites did at the Red Sea is altogether reasonable hence, the language probably means that they sang a song to the Lamb as the Israelites did to Moses. Both victories were accomplished through God's help and in a similar way. Since reference is made to the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, it is natural for the song to speak of God as having almighty power and his works being great and marvelous. The Red Sea and Mount Sinai furnish examples. That God should be just or righteous, true in all his ways, is required by his very nature. Pharaoh with all his wickedness was as justly treated as the Israelites in their affliction. So the reverses that fell upon the beast power were but evidences of the just providences of God. God is here referred to as the "King of the ages"; the margin says King of nations, and the King James Version King of saints.It is immaterial which is the true reading, for if God is King at all, he is King of all three. There is a broad general sense in which God has and will rule in all ages, though the specific reign in this age is given to Christ. Since this authority was given to him by the Father, and he operates through the Father's power, the direct reign will he given back to the Father in the final state. (1 Corinthians 15:24.) 4 Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest. --This means that all should fear his name because of his holiness. Then it is affirmed that all nations--that is, people from all nations--will come and worship before him. His righteous acts have been made known and those influenced by them to be faithful regardless of persecution will he per-mitted to worship before him in heaven and join in the song of praise.