The Seven Angels and the Bowls of Wrath

The vision shifts. John sees another sign in heaven, great and marvelous—seven angels holding seven plagues. These are the last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is finished. Nothing follows them. The judgment is complete.

Before the angels appear, John sees what looks like a sea of glass mingled with fire. Standing beside that sea are those who have come off victorious from the beast, from its image, and from the number of its name. They hold harps given by God.

These victors sing. Their song is the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. They sing: “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of the ages.”

They continue: “Who shall not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been made manifest.” The song does not plead for mercy. It declares what has been revealed.

After this, John sees the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven opened. This is the tent where the testimony—the law—was kept. Now it stands open in heaven.

Out of the temple come the seven angels who hold the seven plagues. They are dressed in precious stone, pure and bright, and they wear golden sashes across their chests. Their clothing signals their origin and authority.

One of the four living creatures gives the seven angels seven golden bowls. The bowls are full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. The bowls are not empty vessels. They are charged.

The temple fills with smoke from the glory of God and from his power. No one is able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels are finished. The smoke blocks entry. The wrath must run its course.