rwp - 15

rwp@Revelation:15:1 @{Another sign in heaven} (\allo smeion en ti ourani\). Looking back to strkjv@12:1,3|, after the series intervening. The Seven Bowls are parallel with the Seven Seals (ch. strkjv@Revelation:6|) and the Seven Trumpets (chapters strkjv@Revelation:8-11|), but there is an even closer connection with chapters strkjv@Revelation:12-14|, "the drama of the long conflict between the church and the world" (Swete). {Great and marvellous} (\mega kai thaumaston\). \Thaumastos\ is an old verbal adjective (from \thaumaz\, to wonder) and is already in strkjv@Matthew:21:42|. The wonder extends to the end of this vision or sign (16:21|). {Seven angels} (\aggelous hepta\). Accusative case in apposition with \smeion\ after \eidon\. Cf. strkjv@8:2|. {Which are the last} (\tas eschatas\). "Seven plagues the last." As in strkjv@21:9|, "the final cycle of such visitations" (Swete). {Is finished} (\etelesth\). Proleptic prophetic first aorist passive indicative of \tele\ as in strkjv@10:7|. The number seven seems particularly appropriate here for finality and completeness.

rwp@Revelation:15:2 @{As it were a glassy sea} (\hs thalassan hualinn\). Accusative case after \eidon\ and \hs\ here, not in strkjv@4:6|, which see for the symbol. {Mingled with fire} (\memigmenn puri\). Perfect passive participle of \mignumi\, to mix, and the associative instrumental case \puri\. This item not in strkjv@4:6| (a vision of peace), but here it adds to the splendour of the vision. This parenthesis (2-4|) gives a picture of the martyrs in their state of bliss. {Them that come off victorious} (\tous nikntas\). Present active articular participle of \nika\, accusative after \eidon\, "those that come off victorious" (14:4|). {From the beast and from his image} (\ek tou thriou kai ek ts eikonos autou\). This use of \ek\ after \nika\ is unusual, also with \ek tou arithmou\. For these items see strkjv@13:1,14,17; strkjv@14:9,11; strkjv@19:20; strkjv@20:4|. {By the glassy sea} (\epi tn thalassan tn hualinn\). Or "upon" more likely (4:6|) with the accusative as in strkjv@Matthew:14:25ff|. {Harps of God} (\kitharas tou theou\). Objective genitive, for the worship of God (5:8; strkjv@14:2; strkjv@1Chronicles:16:42|).

rwp@Revelation:15:3 @{The song of Moses} (\tn idn tou Muses\). strkjv@Exodus:14:31; strkjv@15:1-19|. A song of victory like that of Moses after crossing the Red Sea. {And the song of the Lamb} (\tn idn tou arniou\). A separate note of victory like that of Moses, though one song, not two. Charles finds it impossible to reconcile the two expressions, if genuine, but it is a needless objection. The words come from the O.T.: "great" (\megala\) from strkjv@Psalms:111:2|, "wonderful" (\thaumasta\) from strkjv@Psalms:139:14|, "O Lord God the Almighty" (\Kurie ho theos ho pantokratr\) from strkjv@Amos:4:13| (Revelation:4:8|), "righteous and true" (\dikaiai kai althinai\) from strkjv@Deuteronomy:32:4|, "Thou King of the ages" (\ho basileus tn ainn\) like strkjv@Jeremiah:10:10; strkjv@1Timothy:1:17|. Some MSS. have "the king of the saints" and some "the king of the nations," like strkjv@Jeremiah:10:7|. John thus combines in Hebraic tone the expressions of the old and the new in the song to the Glorified Messiah.

rwp@Revelation:15:4 @{Who shall not fear?} (\tis ou m phobthi;\). Rhetorical question with \ou m\ (double negative) and first aorist passive subjunctive of \phobeomai\ future passive in strkjv@Jeremiah:10:7|). {And glorify} (\kai doxasei\). Change here to the future indicative instead of the aorist subjunctive, as often. Cf. strkjv@Psalms:86:9|. {Thou only art holy} (\monos hosios\). Both predicate adjectives, "Thou art alone holy." God alone is perfectly holy (16:5|). {Shall come} (\hxousin\). Future active of \hk\. {And worship} (\kai proskunsousin\). Future active of \proskune\. Both from strkjv@Psalms:86:9|. {Have been made manifest} (\ephanerthsan\). Prophetic first aorist passive indicative of \phanero\. This martyr's song has the ring of great poetry.

rwp@Revelation:15:5 @{The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony} (\ho naos ts skns tou marturiou\). Charles calls this "strange" language. Probably the tabernacle or tent of witness (Numbers:9:15; strkjv@17:7|) is in mind and the tent of meeting (Exodus:27:21| rather than the temple in Jerusalem. {Was opened} (\noig\). Second aorist passive indicative of \anoig\ as in strkjv@11:19|. For \naos\ see strkjv@3:12; strkjv@7:15; strkjv@14:15,17; strkjv@16:1,17|.

rwp@Revelation:15:6 @{There came out} (\exlthan\). Second aorist active indicative of \exerchomai\ with \-an\ rather than \-on\. Proleptic and prophetic aorist. {The seven angels} (\hoi hepta aggeloi\). Those in verse 1|. {The seven plagues} (\tas hepta plgas\). The bowls are not given them till verse 7|. {Arrayed} (\endedumenoi\). Perfect passive participle of \endu\. {With precious stone pure and bright} (\lithon katharon lampron\). Accusative case retained with verb of clothing as so often, literally "with a stone pure bright." For both adjectives together see strkjv@19:8,14|. Some MSS. read \linon\ (linen). For \lithon\ see strkjv@17:4; strkjv@18:16; strkjv@Ezekiel:28:13|. {Girt} (\periezsmenoi\). Perfect passive participle of \periznnu\. See strkjv@1:13| for both participles. For \stthos\ (breast) see strkjv@Luke:18:13|. {With golden girdles} (\znas chruss\). Accusative case after the perfect passive participle \periezsmenoi\ as in strkjv@1:13|.

rwp@Revelation:15:7 @{Seven golden bowls} (\hepta phialas chruss\). Golden saucers, but not full of incense as in strkjv@5:8|, but "full (\gemousas\ for which see strkjv@5:8|) of the wrath of God who liveth for ever and ever" (\tou thumou tou theou tou zntos eis tous ainas tn ainn\). Portents of dreadful events.

rwp@Revelation:15:8 @{Was filled with smoke} (\egemisth kapnou\). First aorist passive indicative of \gemiz\ (from \gem\), to fill full, and with the genitive \kapnou\ (smoke). Smoke is here the symbol of God's presence (Exodus:19:18; strkjv@Isaiah:6:5|). {Till should be finished} (\achri telesthsin\). Temporal clause for future time with \achri\ (equal to \hes\ in import) and the first aorist passive subjunctive of \tele\, a metaphorical and symbolic "smoke screen" to keep all out of the sanctuary for the time being.

Revelation 15