MPV Commentary

The Last Seven Vials of Plagues: Song of the Victors over the Beast.

1. The seven last plagues are now complete. This verse summarizes the vision that follows, where angels receive the vials in anticipation of their actual receipt in Revelation 15:7. These plagues mark the end of God's wrath on the beast and its kingdom until Jesus returns to judge the world (Revelation 19:11-16). The destruction of Babylon is the final event before Jesus' return.

2. The sea of glass represents the baptism of water and the Spirit, symbolizing those who are made kings and priests unto God. It answers to the molten sea or great brazen laver in the earthly temple, used for the purification of priests. The mingling with fire signifies the fiery trial that believers undergo, as well as their baptism with the Holy Ghost.

The conquerors stand on the sea of glass, having overcome the beast and its mark. They are those who refused to receive the number of the beast's name and thus were victorious over it. This scene alludes to Israel standing on the shore after passing through the Red Sea, where they sang a song of triumph (Exodus 15:1).

The harps of God in the hands of these heavenly virgins surpass those used by Miriam and the Israelitesses. The song of Moses and the Lamb is an antitype to the Old Testament song of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea, symbolizing the triumphs of both the Old and New Testaments.

3. This song is led by the Lamb, who is the Captain of our salvation, just as Moses was leader of the Israelites. The elect will be taken up before the vials of wrath are poured out on the beast and its kingdom, just as Noah's family was saved from the floodwaters and Lot escaped Sodom's destruction.

The Lamb leads the song in honor of the Father amidst the great congregation. This is the "new song" mentioned in Revelation 14:3. The singing victors are the 144,000 of Israel, the first-fruits, and the general harvest of the Gentiles.

4. The saints hail Jesus as the King of the nations, vindicating God's justice so that He may be glorified. This is a theme repeated in their praises (Revelation 16:7; 19:2). At the judgment, they will acknowledge His sovereignty over all nations (Psalm 50:1-6).

5. The tabernacle of the testimony comes into view, where God's faithfulness in avenging His people with judgments on their foes is about to be set forth. We need to understand the secret spring and end of God's righteous dealings.

6. The angels who receive the vials are described according to their office, having linen garments that shine like brilliant stones (diamonds). They wear golden girdles, resembling Jesus in this respect (Revelation 1:13).

7. One of the four living creatures presents the vials to the angels, symbolizing the ministry of the Church as a medium for manifesting redemption's glories to angels.

8. The temple is filled with the glory of God and His power, which are then fully manifested. No one can enter the temple because of God's presence in His glory and power during the execution of these judgments (Isaiah 6:4; Exodus 40:34).