The Seven Vials

1. The victors’ song and worship (Revelation 15:1-4)

2. The seven angels leave the temple (Revelation 15:5-8)

3. The first vial (Revelation 16:1-2)

4. The second vial (Revelation 16:3)

5. The third vial (Revelation 16:4-7)

6. The fourth vial (Revelation 16:8-9)

7. The fifth vial (Revelation 16:10-11)

8. The sixth vial (Revelation 16:12)

9. Parenthesis: The seventh vial (Revelation 16:13-21)

Revelation 15:1-4.

And now the last seven angels appear; seven seal judgments first, followed by seven angels with trumpets and next the last seven angels. With these seven angels who have the seven last plagues for the world, the wrath of God is completed. Before these angels go forth we behold another worship scene. Who are they? Not the twenty-four elders, but they are the harpers which we saw harping and singing in Revelation 14:2-3. They are the martyred company worshiping in glory. Here we are told of their victory and their song, the song of Moses and of the Lamb. The song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-27) is the song of an earthly deliverance and the song of the Lamb concerns a spiritual deliverance. They are redeemed by power and by blood.

Revelation 15:5-8.

A wonderful sight it is. There is again an ominous silence similar to the silence in connection with the opening of the seventh seal. The silence is not mentioned. But the text shows an impressive scene of silence. Quietly the procession of these ministers of judgment file out of the temple. They are clothed in pure, white linen; this is symbolical of the righteousness which demands the judgment wrath about to be poured out. And the golden girdles with which their breasts are girdled speak still more of divine righteousness. God in His righteousness must judge and now His wrath in completeness is about to be felt on the earth. The angels left the temple empty-handed, but the four living creatures give into their hands the bowls full of the wrath of God. And behind that smoke is the fire of judgment.