Chapter 15 – Revelations Perspective Continues
The Last Seven Chapters – Another 6:1 Ratio
The first verse of chapter 15 infers that the preceding chapters concerning the trumpets is the partial wrath of God; as compared with now, after probation closes His full or completed wrath against sin. This is highlighted from both chapters 8 and 15, you may have noticed the parallel in these Chapters; both groups of angels are in the temple coming from the throne of God, one group has trumpets the other bowls or plagues. The determining constant factor is the close of human probation, with one group presenting the partial wrath of God on one side of the close and one group pouring out the full wrath of God on the opposite side.
Chapter 16 begins to present the details, again with the first four targeting the earth itself, and the sea, the water supply, and the sun, with the remaining 3 targeting Satan’s allies; the beast power, spiritual Babylon, and any apostates on the earth itself. Notice in the closing of both the trumpets and the plagues, you end with noises, thunderings, lightnings, and a great earthquake. The declaration is made under the 7th plague that “it is done” something similar also occurs with the 7th trumpet, (Rev. 10:7) “but in the days of the sounding of the 7th angel the mystery of God would be finished.” This would mean the partial judgments of God running their coarse then coming to an end, and the full judgments of God running their coarse then coming to an end.
Again the 6:1 ratio is displayed with the plagues as with the trumpets, six plagues decimate the planet in various locations with the seventh, a pronouncement that “it is done”(Rev. 16:17). Satan’s agenda to secure fallen humanity for his own purposes has failed; these plagues have prepared the way for the presence of the Kings of the east (Rev. 16), and the 2nd coming of Christ.
Chapters 17 and 18 deal with some details of the judgments to fall on the Roman church, “the great harlot” and spiritual Babylon; “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the earth” (Rev. 17:5).
How could any be saved from what is coming on the earth? The events described even flash back prior to the close of probation and assure the reader that though the beast was a formable foe, the Holy Spirit is a greater power to be reckoned with.
Chapter 18 assures us, especially from verse 4 that everyone was provided an opportunity to avoid these terrible plagues that are now falling, just as faithful Noah made a last desperate plea to those before the great flood.
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues”. This is an important reminder for folks that God has provided an opportunity to step away from deception and be spared the fate of Spiritual Babylon. “Therefore her plagues will come in one day death, mourning, and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord that judges her.” (Rev. 18:8)
Because humanity was locked into this supernatural warfare 6,000 years ago, it is the only perspective we possess. However, from the heavenly perspective this is but an unfortunate moment of existence, keeping God’s creation in an unnatural state of tension and sin. Since God had decided to get directly involved with the rescue plan, all heaven has been stressed with the final outcome.
As we come to chapter 19 John begins to describe heaven’s jubilance at the thought that their Lord and King is about ready to be reunited with His people, “Alleluia for the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His wife has made herself ready,” (Rev. 19:7).
The remainder of chapter 19 presents the coming of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, however John lead by the Spirit mingles events that take place both before the millennium period, (1000 years in heaven), with those occurring after. This is a typical form of Hebrew exegesis, mingling more than one event of similar circumstances together. This is why understanding the framing of the book is vital.
Because of this general outline still referring mostly to the fate of spiritual Babylon, John next focuses on chapter 20, highlighting some of the responsibilities of the saints during this millennial period. There are certainly more specifics that we could go into in these chapters, but are unnecessary in this presentation, as we are considering mainly the context of the framing of the book.
In chapter 21 the focus changes to the earth made new, “for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Rev. 21:1). This completes the final 6:1 ratio of the book of Revelation with chapter 22 proclaiming the content to be true, “These words are faithful and true” (Rev. 22:6). Included also is a warning against any who add too or take away from the content and meaning of this prophesy, (Rev. 22:18-19).