Chapter fourteen described the heavenly harvesters who reaped the earth with Christ. Afterward, seven angels clothed in priestly garments come out of the heavenly temple. They are given seven golden bowls with each having a plague, which when completed, ends the wrath of God. John sees the sea of glass that is described in Revelation 4:6 as located before the throne. It is mingled with fire, which reflects the wrath of God that is directed against those who have been overcome by the Beast in Revelation 14:9-12. The other group is the 144,000 who were victorious over the Beast and came out of the great tribulation (Rev. 7:4-8, 13-14). They are also described as the first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb (Rev. 14:4). They stand beside the glassy sea before the throne of God and of the Lamb, making music on heavenly harps (14:1-4). Their redemption took place shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem. They sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, saying:
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations![a]
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Worthy ones from the first century were redeemed and perfected along with the spirits of just men from previous ages (Rom. 8:18-25; Heb. 11:40; Matt. 23:32-36; Rev. 6:9-11). They are all worshipping the King and the Ancient of Days (cf. Dan. 7:9-12). Old Israel sang the song of Moses to celebrate God’s victory over the Egyptians and Israel’s deliverance (Ex. 15:1-21). The new victory song is the Lambs victory over the Beast and deliverance of Israel from the great tribulation. Together, this medley of redemption songs is sung in praise to God.
With the close of God’s temple in physical Jerusalem, came the opening of the heavenly temple (cf. Rev. 11:19, 21:22). This grand opening took place at the hour of judgment (cf. Rev. 11:18; 14:7). From the heavenly temple, came seven angels clothed as priests in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. Each angel brings seven plagues that are held in the seven golden bowls of God’s wrath, which was given by one of the four creatures. They parallel those of Egypt and relate to the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem.
The smoke of incense was a regular feature of the temple. This smoke was filled from the glory of God and His power so that no one could enter the temple until God had finished his wrath. Similarly, Exodus 40:34-38 describes God’s glory that filled the sanctuary during the construction of the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter at that time. The same thing occurred with the building of the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chron. 5:11-14). When the heavenly sanctuary of God was opened, the hour of God’s judgment had come (Rev. 14:7) and the smoke of his glory was so intense that no one could stand in his presence until His wrath is poured out. The golden bowls were full of the wrath of God so that when they are all emptied, God’s wrath is finished.