15:1–4 · Song of the new exodus: The celestial opera that began with two great signs in heaven—the cosmic woman (12:1) and the red dragon (12:3)—ends here with a third great sign: seven angels with seven plagues (15:1). The seven angels represent the churches in Asia Minor (1:20), and they also symbolize the church universal, whose prayers and witness play a key role in unveiling God’s judgments on the world (8:2, 6). Those who have conquered the beast with their faithful suffering are about to sing the anthem of the Lamb (15:2).

With one voice, the saints from every generation praise both the all-powerful Creator and the slain Redeemer for their great works of salvation (15:3; cf. 5:9–14). The song of the Lamb is modeled after the Song of Moses (cf. Exod. 15:1–18) but not limited to it,…