A Scene of Heaven

1Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful [a warning of terrifying and horrible events]: seven angels who had seven plagues (afflictions, calamities), which are the last, because with them the wrath of God is finished [that is, it is completely expressed and reaches its zenith].

2Then I saw something like a sea or large expanse of glass mixed with fire, and those who were victorious over the beast and over his image and over the number corresponding to his name were standing on the sea or large expanse of glass, holding harps of God [worshiping Him]. 3And they [a]sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],

O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];

Righteous and true are Your ways,

O King of the [b]nations!

4“Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]?

For You alone are holy;

For ALL THE NATIONS SHALL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU,

FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS [Your just decrees and judgments] HAVE BEEN REVEALED and DISPLAYED.”

5After these things I looked, and the temple (sanctuary) of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened, 6and the seven angels who had the seven plagues (afflictions, calamities) came out of the temple, arrayed in linen, pure and gleaming, and wrapped around their chests were golden sashes. 7Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath and indignation of God, who lives forever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with [c]smoke from the glory and radiance and splendor of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

[a] 3 At the end, the old covenant that came through Moses is seen to be in complete unity with the new covenant in Jesus Christ.
[b] 3 Two early mss read ages.
[c] 8 The awe-inspiring manifestation of God’s shekinah glory was seen in the tabernacle, then when Solomon’s temple was dedicated, and the prophets said it would be seen again at the end.