Revelation Chapter 15

VERSE 2 “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.”

AND I SAW:

John now focuses our attention to something else newly appeared beyond the veil — the glorified saints of the first resurrection (Rev 14:13).

A SEA OF GLASS MIXED WITH FIRE:

The plagues are one tool of judgment — something already possessed but given new function. The same is true of this sea of glass — another tool of judgment. The sea of glass makes two appearances in Revelation, here and in Rev 4:6. (See comments on Rev 4:6 here.)

It seems NOT to be related to the “sea” class of mankind, but rather to the great laver of the temple. This symbolism fits so much better in Chapter 4 as to preclude any other interpretation. Here, however, at least on the surface, it would seem easier to use the sea to represent the masses of mankind. Consistency, however, requires a deeper examination which proves a blessing.

At the outset of the Gospel Age (Chapter 4), God is surrounded by symbols of those things which will accomplish His ends during the age. The laver (“sea of glass”) is one of them. The great body of pure truth will be the cleansing agent for all who approach Christ. But at the end of the age (Rev 15:2), God’s truths will take on the additional function of a judgment tool. Thus, the sea is now mixed with fire — the element of judgment.

The very truths promulgated earlier by the seven angels to purify saints will now be forced on Babylon to plague it to death.

This concept is not without precedent. Note how in Rev 8:2 and 8:5 we have a golden censer first used to augment the prayers of saints. Its use changes dramatically as it is thrown to the earth in an act of judgment probably representing these plagues. Another similar example is in Rev 15:1. The truths which the seven angels used as blessings in their lifetimes are now turned into plagues.

AND THOSE WHO HAD COME OFF VICTORIOUS FROM THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE AND FROM THE NUMBER OF HIS NAME:

This phrase helps to establish a number of things:

A) There is little question that the description of Verses 2-4 is clearly related to the description of Rev 14:1- 3 and the few verses which end Chapter 13. In Chapter 14, the picture is beyond the veil. For consistency, Rev 15:2-4 should also, then, be beyond the veil. however, in Rev 14:1-3 it is the total church (ALL 144,000) beyond the veil at the END of the Harvest.

In Rev 15:2-4 it is only that part of the body beyond the veil since A.D.1878 at the BEGINNING of the Harvest — before the plagues begin.

These verses are here specifically to show us what the glorified saints are doing beyond the veil — to show us that they participate with the seven angels in the plaguing work of Babylon (although more particularly in using the truths of judgment — the “sea of glass”).

Those beyond the veil have “power over fire” (Rev 14:18) — the fire in this “sea of glass.” They have “authority over the nations” (Rev 2:26, 27) to break them to pieces. Therefore, John is seeing the victors; John is telling us that the first resurrection is begun (Rev 14:13) and that those who are a part of it participate in the Harvest work of Chapter 14 and in the plaguing work of Chapter 16. There is not much reason for these three verses (Rev 15:2-4) except to show this. Their very inclusion, spliced between Verses 1 and 5, testifies to their meaning.

B) Some contend that victory over the image must await the time when the image has reached its cruelest manifestation, when it receives “breath” or “life.” It is their contention also (as it is ours) that at that point the image is called the “false prophet.”

This in itself is an argument against Verse 2’s application too late in the Harvest. Verse 2 still calls it the image. The first plague still calls it the image (Rev 16:2). It is not called the “false prophet” until the sixth plague (Rev 16:13). It is, therefore, possible to have victory over the image any time after its initial formation. (Compare with Rev. 20:4.)

For more on the “Image” its initial conception and etc. please see Revelation Chapter 13 comments on Verse 14, Part 21 and Parts 24-27)

C) It may also be argued (on the basis of Rev 14:8-12) that the victory over the beast and image is the battle for separation from them and that, thus, even the faithful saints in the flesh qualify for this victory. The progress from A.D. 1878 until now is clearly dated and documented by this section of Chapter 14. The twelfth verse suggests that this long wait, through the smoke and torment of those remaining in her (a period of over a century), shows the long-suffering faithfulness of the true saints. It seems best, however, to treat Rev 15:2 as glorified saints for consistency with Rev 14:1-3 although it is certainly possible to apply it to the Harvest saints in the flesh (the “feet of him”).

STANDING ON THE SEA OF GLASS:

To stand on is to be victor over or in control of. (Compare Luke 21:24.) The use of truths as judgments on Babylon has been given to the glorified saints. (Rev 2:26, 27.)

HOLDING HARPS OF GOD:

In Rev 14:2, when the Church is complete, it is playing the harps. Here they are merely holding them. They are in joyful readiness to harmonize the Divine Word for the world, but they cannot do so until the plagues are finished — even as no one can enter the New Covenant arrangement before that time. (Rev 15:8)

We move on to Verse 3 in our next post