After this partial anticipation of the final catastrophe, the Apocalypse returns to a fuller and independent description of its processes (Revelation 15:2-4 = Revelation 14:1-5; Revelation 15:1; Revelation 15:5-8. = Revelation 14:6-11; Revelation 14:14-20). The panorama of the prelude is once more s... [ Continue Reading ]
νικ. ἐκ κ. τ. λ., “those who came off conquerors from” another pregnant use of ἐκ (_cf._ Revelation 2:21; Revelation 8:11) combining the ideas of victory over (_cf._ on Revelation 2:7) and deliverance from. A possible Latinism (_cf._ L ivy 8:8, uictoriam ferre ex aliquo; 45:38, aliquis est Romae qui... [ Continue Reading ]
An interlude like Revelation 19:1 f. The manifestation of divine judgment (4) evokes reverence (contrast Revelation 16:11) and praise from the saints in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
As in Exodus 14-15. Moses leads Israel in a song of praise to God over the dead Egyptians, so, after Rome's downfall (Revelation 14:8 f., Revelation 15:2) the faithful are led by their captain (Revelation 12:11; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 14:4, _cf._ Hebrews 2:12), in a chant of triumph and gratitu... [ Continue Reading ]
God's holiness is the reason why his name must be feared and magnified, especially when its effects are visible in the reverent homage of all nations to God (a hyperbolical statement in view of Revelation 16:9, etc.) at the sight of his “deeds of judgment” (δικαιώματα = judicial sentences, here of c... [ Continue Reading ]
The temple in heaven is here “the tent (or tabernacle) of witness,” as it represents God's judicial revelation and presence; its contents and the movements of which it forms the source, are evidence of God's covenant with his people.... [ Continue Reading ]
These heavenly beings are magnificent creatures, robed in gold and light (a Hellenic conception, Dieterich, 38 f.) and linen (to denote their honourable and sacred office: so the scribe of judgment, Ezekiel 9:2, and the angel in Daniel 10:5; Daniel 12:6). Plutarch (_de Iside_, 3, 4) explains that th... [ Continue Reading ]
The φιάλαι shallow bowls or saucers, do not exhale a smoke (like the censer of Revelation 8:4) grateful to God; they are filled with poisonous, hot, bitter wine, while the smoke pours from the divine majesty, whose intense holiness (Revelation 15:4, as in O.T. theophanies) is breaking out in judgmen... [ Continue Reading ]