The vision of the seven angels with the seven plagues was the last of God’s wrath about to be poured out on those who rejected Jesus as their Saviour. The words “great and amazing” express the importance and finality of the judgment. The angels who usually served God’s people are now executing judgment on those who rejected Christ.

The “plagues” can be translated as “blows or wounds” in the Greek language. Thus, some people said the seven plagues can be more than diseases and epidemics. They are deadly blows of judgment that are far worse than those before in the seal and trumpet judgments. Thus, the judgments may be last but irreversible. Thus, even if they wanted to repent they cannot as it is too late. This should move us to quicken our efforts to reach the lost.

In verse 2, John saw “what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire” and not an actual sea. It is a transparent crystal platform in front of God’s throne. It is shimmering and glistening like a tranquil, sunlit sea except it is mixed with fire as God’s judgment is ready for those who rejected His Son. It is a picture of calmness around the throne despite the presence of the fury of the fire that symbolizes His final wrath. The Book of Hebrews calls it “a consuming fire.”

So, no one can save the perishing when God judges. Especially those who had time after time rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Thus, we must preach the gospel as God’s final wrath will be horrendous.

In the Bible, the first song of deliverance was the song of Moses sung by the Israelites after they crossed the Red Sea safely. Here the saints sang the song of the Lamb for being their eternal Redeemer. They praised Him for delivering them from their enemies. Like Moses’ song, the song of the Lamb expresses the themes of God’s faithfulness, the deliverance of His people, and the judgment of His enemies. They sang it because they experienced it as they understood God’s nature and character, and not just His saving grace. Our experiences and knowledge of God’s nature and character will result in our passionate worship of Him.

God is lifted up in praise as holy and just for answering their prayers as He punished their enemies. Until one knows God is holy and just then can one understand why there is a need for judgment against the unrepentant sinners. It should help him appreciate that His love compelled Him to send His Son to die for our sins. Thus, we are to respond in worship of Him and to bring sinners to be saved by Him before it is too late.

The song closes with joyful anticipation of His millennial reign when all nations will come and worship Him. God avenges for His saints will display His holiness and justice. It will draw all men to worship Him. But if God is not true to His nature, where then is His holiness and justice? Why evangelize the lost if He is not going to judge the wicked and evil people?

John saw the angels coming forward to execute the judgment of God as“The sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened.” “Sanctuary” refers to the Holy of Holies where God’s presence is. The angels came out of this place and were “clothed in pure, bright linen” representing their holiness and purity. They had “golden sashes around their chests.” Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels “seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God.”

The smoke symbolizes His majestic glory and power. The fire in the vision is in the mix and the smoke symbolizes the wrath of God. He is the King and also the Judge who has the power and authority to order the judgment on those who rejected His Son. No one could enter the temple until what He has ordered was completed.

So, while there is still time, we should make every effort to bring people to know the Lord before all things come to an end. Sinners can only become saints when they believe in Jesus. There will come a time when they will not be able to hear the gospel. So, let us do our part to share it with them so they can decide to believe it or not. The finality of their end will depend on how they will respond to the saving grace of Jesus.