Once again we are taken through the whole realm of God’s judgment on evil humanity.  Each time he tells us things that will take place in the last days, and each time the intensity level is elevated.  We saw this with the seven seals and again with the seven trumpets.  Here we see it yet again with the seven bowls.  Before each major section of the vision of judgment, we read a prelude.  Here we read another prelude, but this is to the final judgment of God against evil in the world.  In this section there is a marked stress on finality.  These are “the last plagues.”  Judgment is complete in this vision.  The wicked have refused to repent, and so the final judgment of God awaits them.  Before each judgment of God, John’s method has been to provide some preliminary remarks.  “Here he stresses the majesty of God who is over the whole historical process.” (Morris).

v.1 – John sees “another sign in heaven” – a sign or portent – and this one is “great and marvelous.”  They are so distinguished because they are the final judgments of God.  Everything focuses around this air of finality.  Notice that these signs are plagues.  Sound familiar?  How about the Exodus – God’s salvation and deliverance for His people of old.

Is. 12 – promised again like in the past (Through Jesus Christ – Messiah, deliverer/savior)

v.2 – What “looked like” a Sea of Glass – mixed with fire (red coloration).  Fire – wrath and judgment.  Martyrs and victors over the evil one are on the “other side” playing instruments and singing a victory song.  Nothing can triumph over God’s people.  The Song of Moses (Ex. 15) and the song of the Lamb (worship song).

v. 3 – Moses and Christ – in harmony – Law and Grace together.

Moses’ Exodus deliverance sets the pattern for God’s greatest deliverance and final judgment (salvation).  

This may be one song with two deliverances in mind – 2 titles are given.

Song of all O.T. expressions – Parallels of O.T. Hebrew poetry.

1-      God’s works – great and marvelous (Ps. 92:5; 139:14) – Lord God Almighty

2-      God’s ways – just and true (Ps. 145:17; truth: Jn. 3:21; 1 Jn. 1:6)

3-      King of the ages (Jer. 10:6-7) – Universal sovereignty – important to readers.

v. 4 – the song continues…

“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your Name” – rhetorical question.

(Ps. 86:9; Mal. 1:11) – the question was previously answered in Scripture.

The song ends with three statements:

1-      For – only God is Holy (1 Sam. 2:2) – perfect purity (Gr.)

2-      For – all nations will come and worship God (Ps. 86:9)

3-      For – Your “righteous acts” (judgments) have been revealed (all will know)

There’s nothing in the song about themselves – All focus is on God alone!

v. 5 – “tent of witness” (Ex. 40:34) – Makes us reflect on the wilderness again. The choice of words here makes us realize he is talking to the church of Martyrs (witnesses) in Heaven!

v. 6 – Seven angels come out with seven plagues (Exodus imagery again) – Last Plagues.  They have the fullest divine sanction (they come from the presence of God directly.  Angels “clothed in clean shining linen” with “golden sashes around their chest” - - attention to their dress – spotless – purity from which the wrath is poured out on the world.

v. 7 – One of the Four Living Creatures hands out the bowls of God’s Wrath to the seven angels.  From the presence of God Almighty – who lives forever and ever – Eternity vs. the world’s temporary existence.  Those are the Last Plagues.

Bowls – (here: phialas) – same as the container holding the prayers of the saints.  John may want his audience to realize the power of prayers. Prayer may seem insignificant and/or unanswered, but in the right time, they are part of the judgment of God against evil – victory answered.

v. 8 – “smoke” – the Glory of God historically (Ex. 40:34; 1 Kg. 8:10; Is. 6:4; Ez. 10:4; 44:4)

Usually Glory and Power are linked.  No one could enter the temple – until the plagues were (are) completed.  When God’s perfect time has come, nothing will be able to stop or interfere with the carrying out of these plagues of judgment and wrath of God on evil.

The things of God are SURE!               AMEN!