Revelation 15:1

KJV

¶ And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I saw {G1492} another {G243} sign {G4592} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}, great {G3173} and {G2532} marvellous {G2298}, seven {G2033} angels {G32} having {G2192} the seven {G2033} last {G2078} plagues {G4127}; for {G3754} in {G1722} them {G846} is filled up {G5055} the wrath {G2372} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I saw another sign in heaven, a great and wonderful one — seven angels with the seven plagues that are the final ones; because with them, God’s fury is finished.

Berean Standard Bible

Then I saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven final plagues, with which the wrath of God is completed.

American Standard Version

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 15:1 introduces a profound and awe-inspiring vision of divine judgment, revealing "another sign in heaven." This celestial display features seven angels entrusted with the "seven last plagues," signifying the culmination of God's righteous wrath against a rebellious world. This verse serves as a solemn prelude to the final, comprehensive outpouring of divine justice, emphasizing the absolute sovereignty and holiness of God as He brings His purposes to a definitive close.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 15:1 marks a crucial transition point in John's apocalyptic vision, immediately following the triumphant scene of the Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion and the pronouncements of the three angels (Revelation 14). While Revelation 14 concluded with a symbolic harvest of the earth, signifying judgment, chapter 15 shifts to the direct instruments of that judgment. This verse acts as an overture to the "bowl judgments" detailed in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath"), setting the stage for the final, irreversible acts of God's wrath. The phrase "another sign" connects this vision to previous significant heavenly displays, particularly the "great sign" of the woman and the dragon in [Revelation 12:1](/revelation/12-1 "Revelation 12:1 - The Woman Clothed with the Sun"), indicating a new, pivotal phase in the unfolding eschatological drama.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's vision, written during a period of intense persecution for early Christians under the Roman Empire, would have resonated deeply with believers facing immense suffering. The imagery of "plagues" would evoke strong parallels with the ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt in the Exodus narrative ([Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7 "Exodus 7-12 - The Plagues of Egypt")), a foundational story of divine judgment and liberation for the Jewish people. This historical precedent would assure John's audience that God, who delivered His people from Pharaoh's tyranny, would similarly intervene to bring justice against their oppressors. The concept of divine wrath was well-established in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought, but Revelation presents it as the righteous, holy indignation of the one true God, distinct from the capricious anger of pagan deities.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, signaling the imminent and conclusive outpouring of God's righteous indignation against sin and rebellion. The "seven last plagues" emphasize the finality and comprehensiveness of these judgments, leaving no room for further repentance once they commence. Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating His absolute control over history and His unwavering commitment to bringing all things to a just conclusion. The plagues are not random or chaotic but are precisely "filled up" with God's wrath, executed according to His perfect timing and will. Finally, the vision's setting "in heaven" reinforces the theme of a **Heavenly Perspective**, assuring believers that these earthly events are divinely ordained and observed from God's throne, affirming the ultimate triumph of God's purposes, as seen throughout the book, from the throne room in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - The Throne Room of God") to the New Jerusalem in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sign (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** This term denotes an indication, especially one that is ceremonially or supernaturally significant. In Revelation, "signs" are not merely visions but divinely ordained symbols of monumental importance, pointing to profound spiritual realities or impending actions from God. Here, it signals a divinely orchestrated event that carries immense prophetic weight and serves as a clear indicator of God's impending judgment.
* **marvellous (Greek, _thaumastós'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to wonder at," this adjective describes something that is wondered at, astounding, or wonderful. When applied to the "sign," it emphasizes the awe-inspiring, terrifying, and utterly significant nature of these impending judgments, underscoring their unique severity as the culmination of God's wrath. It conveys a sense of both dread and divine majesty.
* **filled up (Greek, _teléō'_):** This verb means to end, complete, execute, or discharge. In this context, it signifies that God's wrath is not merely being poured out, but it is being brought to its full and final completion. There is no more wrath to come after these plagues; they represent the ultimate and exhaustive expression of God's righteous indignation against sin. This highlights the finality and comprehensiveness of these judgments.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous":** John, the visionary, witnesses a new and distinct celestial manifestation. The descriptor "another sign" indicates a continuation of the dramatic heavenly revelations that punctuate the book, yet it signals a new, climactic phase. The sign is "great and marvellous," emphasizing its awe-inspiring nature, its profound significance, and its divine origin. This is not a mere earthly event but a divinely orchestrated display of cosmic importance, designed to convey a message of immense gravity.
* **"seven angels having the seven last plagues":** The core of this new sign involves seven specific angels, each entrusted with a "plague." The number seven, consistently symbolic of completeness and perfection in Revelation, here signifies the totality and finality of these judgments. These are explicitly called the "last plagues," indicating that they are the concluding series of divine judgments, bringing the era of God's long-suffering and the opportunity for repentance to an end. The angels serve as divine agents, executing God's will with precision and authority.
* **"for in them is filled up the wrath of God":** This clause provides the crucial theological explanation for the "last plagues." The purpose and essence of these judgments are to bring God's wrath to its full and complete expression. The phrase "filled up" signifies that God's righteous indignation, which has been accumulating due to human rebellion and sin, has reached its absolute measure. These plagues are the final, unmitigated outpouring of divine justice, leaving no room for further delay or mitigation. They represent the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's grace and sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 15:1 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "sign in heaven" representing a divinely orchestrated, significant event, and the "seven angels" symbolizing God's appointed agents of judgment. The "seven last plagues" are highly symbolic, echoing the plagues of Egypt and representing the comprehensive and final nature of God's wrath. The number **Seven** itself is a recurring numerical motif in Revelation, consistently symbolizing completeness and divine perfection, reinforcing the idea that these are the ultimate and final judgments. The description "great and marvellous" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary and terrifying nature of the impending events, designed to evoke awe and dread in the reader. Furthermore, the verse serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage and building suspense for the detailed account of the bowl judgments that follow in the subsequent chapter, preparing the reader for the climax of divine retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 15:1 serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of divine judgment and the holiness of God. It underscores the biblical truth that God, though merciful and patient, is also perfectly just and will not tolerate sin indefinitely. The "seven last plagues" represent the ultimate and unmitigated outpouring of His righteous wrath, a culmination of His long-suffering patience finally giving way to decisive action. This vision affirms God's absolute sovereignty over history, demonstrating that even in judgment, His purposes are meticulously executed according to His divine will. It emphasizes that the consequences of unrepentant rebellion are severe and inevitable, highlighting the urgent need for humanity to turn to God before the finality of His wrath is "filled up."

* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed")
* [Psalm 7:11](/psalm/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")
* [Nahum 1:2-3](/nahum/1-2-3 "Nahum 1:2-3 - God's Vengeance and Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 15:1, while depicting a fearsome vision of divine wrath, offers profound lessons for both the unrepentant and the believer. For those who have not yet submitted to Christ, it stands as a solemn and urgent warning: God's patience has limits, and His justice will ultimately prevail. The "last plagues" signify a point of no return, where opportunities for repentance cease, and the full weight of divine judgment is experienced. This should compel a serious consideration of one's standing before a holy God and an earnest turning towards the grace offered in Jesus Christ. For believers, this vision, though sobering, provides deep assurance. It confirms that God is indeed just and will ultimately rectify all wrongs, bringing an end to evil and suffering. It reinforces the truth that our God is sovereign, in control of all history, and will bring His redemptive plan to a glorious consummation. This understanding should foster a renewed sense of awe for God's holiness, a deeper gratitude for the salvation we have in Christ (who bore this wrath for us), and a greater urgency to share the gospel, knowing the terrifying reality of a world facing God's final wrath.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vision of God's "last plagues" deepen your understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge or affirm your perspective on divine judgment?**
* **How should the knowledge of God's coming wrath motivate believers in their daily lives and evangelistic efforts?**
* **What comfort or assurance do you find in this passage, knowing that God is ultimately in control and will bring all things to a just end?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "another sign" in Revelation 15:1?**

Answer: The phrase "another sign" indicates that this vision is a distinct and significant divine manifestation, similar in importance to previous "signs" in Revelation, such as the woman and the dragon in [Revelation 12:1](/revelation/12-1 "Revelation 12:1 - The Woman Clothed with the Sun"). It signals a new, pivotal phase in God's prophetic unfolding, specifically introducing the final series of judgments that are about to be poured out. It emphasizes that these events are not random but divinely ordained and carry profound spiritual meaning.

**What are the "seven last plagues" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "seven last plagues" refer to the seven bowl judgments detailed in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath"). They are called "last" because they represent the final, comprehensive, and unmitigated outpouring of God's wrath upon the unrepentant earth. Unlike previous judgments in Revelation (like the seals or trumpets), which often had a partial or warning nature, these plagues are described as bringing God's wrath to its complete fulfillment, signifying the end of His patience and the finality of His judgment before the return of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 15:1, with its depiction of God's wrath being "filled up," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in Jesus as the righteous Judge but preeminently in His atoning work on the cross. While this verse speaks of future judgment, it implicitly points to the Lamb of God who has already absorbed the full fury of divine wrath on behalf of His people. The "wrath of God" that is "filled up" in these plagues is the very wrath that Jesus, as our substitute, bore in its entirety at Calvary ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood")). He became the propitiation for our sins, turning away God's righteous indignation from all who believe in Him ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Jesus, the Atoning Sacrifice")). Thus, for those in Christ, the terrifying vision of these "last plagues" serves as a powerful reminder of the immeasurable cost of their salvation and the depths of God's love, which provided a way of escape from the wrath to come ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Deliverance from Wrath")). While Christ will indeed return as the righteous Judge to execute this final wrath upon the ungodly ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as Judge and Warrior")), His primary identity for believers is the Lamb who was slain, whose sacrifice ensures that they are "not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" ([1 Thessalonians 5:9](/1_thessalonians/5-9 "1 Thessalonians 5:9 - Not Appointed to Wrath")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 26:21

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.

Revelation 15:6

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

Revelation 15:7

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Daniel 4:2

I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

Daniel 4:3

How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.

Revelation 21:9

¶ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

Revelation 16:1

¶ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.