Big Idea: Because of his holy and righteous character, God will finalize his wrath against evil, resulting in justice and vindication for his people, all to the praise of his glory.

Understanding the Text

Revelation 15 introduces the bowl judgments of chapter 16, the third and final series of seven judgments (seals in 6:1–8:1, trumpets in 8:2–9:21; 11:14–19). The unit of 15:1–8 is marked off by the inclusio (“bookends” marking the beginning and the end) of seven angels with seven plagues completing the wrath of God (15:1, 8). The expression “I saw/looked” (eidon) divides the passage into three parts: the introduction (15:1), the celebration of God’s people (15:2–4), and the seven angels receiving the bowls of wrath (15:5–8). The sandwiching of the celebration song between the introduct…