Revelation 15
Revelation 15 is the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate. This chapter includes the hymn of Moses and the Lamb and introduces the seven angels who appear with seven plagues.
Text
The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 8 verses; it is the shortest chapter in the book.Textual witnesses
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are among others:- Papyrus 115
- Papyrus 47
- Codex Sinaiticus
- Codex Alexandrinus
- Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus
- Papyrus 43
Old Testament references
- Revelation 15:4: Psalm
- : ;
- :
The Song of the Conquerors (15:1–4)
Verse 1
Verse 2
For "mingled with fire", the New International Version suggests "glowing with fire". A sea of glass, like crystal, has previously appeared in chapter 4, although German theologian Johannes Ebrard suggests they are different seas of glass.Heinrich Meyer notes that the "harps of God" are "such as serve only for the praise of God".
Verses 3–4
The wording O King of the saints! appears in the Textus Receptus, but Meyer argues that this reading is "almost without any testimony" in the early manuscripts. Alternative readings are:- O King of the nations!
- O King of the ages!
- O King of the heavens!
Introduction to the Seven Bowls (15:5–16:1)
It is a continuation of 'the anticipatory vision' of [|Revelation 15:1], which states that these seven plagues are the last ones.Verse 5
, may also be translated as "the temple of the tabernacle of witness in the heaven". Acts 7 records St Stephen's contrast between the tabernacle or tent of witness in the wilderness and the real home of the Most High:This verse echoes, showing the relationship with the seventh trumpet, just as the seven trumpets are related to the seventh seal.