Revelation Chapter 15 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Revelation 15:1
Then I saw another sign in heaven, a great and wonderful one - seven angels with the seven plagues that are the final ones; because with them, God's fury is finished.
John sees seven angels from God who are to deliver God's wrath to the earth. We may ask ourselves: What's so "great and wonderful" about this sign? The simple fact of the matter is that all of creation has groaned under the weight of sin and its effects. This sign tells us of the coming end to that curse and the renewal of all things. Just as the plagues of Egypt were used to bring about the redemption of Israel from bondage, these plagues are being used by God to bring about the final redemption of all of creation.
Revelation 15:2
I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. Those defeating the beast, its image and the number of its name were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps which God had given them.
The "sea of glass" speaks the stability that is brought about by the fire of judgment. Now, John sees, in this sign, the victorious saints. They are victorious because they stood firm in their faith in Yeshua Messiah even to the point of death.
Revelation 15:3 & 4
They were singing the song of Moshe, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: "Great and wonderful are the things you have done, ADONAI, God of heaven's armies! Just and true are your ways, king of the nations! ADONAI, who will not fear and glorify your name? because you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed."
Those that have been killed during this time for not taking the mark of the beast are now singing praises to God in heaven. They sing at the wonder of the power of God and are glad for his judgment which is right. After all that they have seen and been through, they are celebrating that it is over and that they are now with the Father. It will be plain to everyone on earth and in heaven that God is right in judging the earth and its inhabitants. All nations will bow to the living God.
Revelation 15:5
After this I looked, and the sanctuary (that is, the Tent of Witness in heaven) was opened,
The "Tent of Witness" is talking about the Ark of the Covenant that was made in Exodus 25. This was the designated place where God would meet with the high priest and signified his presence.
Revelation 15:6
and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean bright linen and had gold belts around their chests.
Then, John sees seven angels coming from the presence of God. They were dressed in white linen (a symbol of purity) and wore golden sashes (a sign of royal authority). Angels are messengers from God and these messengers carry God's wrath for those that have defied him until the end.
Revelation 15:7
One of the four living beings gave to the seven angels seven gold bowls filled with the fury of God, who lives forever and ever.
The living creature that John saw here is one of the creatures described in Ezekiel 1 and they are kind of like a royal honor guard for the Father. Here, one of them distributes the bowls containing the complete wrath of God.
Revelation 15:8
Then the sanctuary was filled with smoke from God's Sh'khinah, that is, from his power; and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels had accomplished their purpose.
Where there is smoke there is fire. God is a consuming fire and at this point nobody can come into his presence. God's amazing power is about to be demonstrated on the earth.