Revelation 15 7

Revelation 15:7 kjv

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.

Revelation 15:7 nkjv

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.

Revelation 15:7 niv

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

Revelation 15:7 esv

And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever,

Revelation 15:7 nlt

Then one of the four living beings handed each of the seven angels a gold bowl filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.

Revelation 15 verses

Revelation 15 7 Meaning

This verse details a pivotal moment in the heavenly throne room, where one of the celestial living creatures, intimately connected to God's presence, hands over the instruments of final divine judgment to seven angels. These "golden bowls" symbolize receptacles of the full and pure "wrath of God," a righteous indignation against evil and rebellion, which is poured out from the eternal God who lives forever and ever. It signals the immediate commencement of God's concluding plagues upon the earth.

Revelation 15 7 Context

Revelation Chapter 15 serves as an interlude between the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments. It immediately follows the defeat of the beast and false prophet (Revelation 13-14) and precedes the graphic portrayal of the seven final plagues (Revelation 16). The preceding verses (Rev 15:1-4) show seven angels with the last plagues and then the victorious saints on the sea of glass singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, extolling God's righteous acts. Verse 5 describes the opening of the "temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven," which then fills with smoke from God's glory and power (Rev 15:8), signifying God's unapproachable holiness and impending judgment. Against this backdrop of divine purity and judgment, verse 7 acts as the divine authorization and commencement of the final outpouring of God's wrath upon a rebellious world.

Revelation 15 7 Word analysis

• Then (καὶ, kai): A simple conjunction, but here acts as a chronological marker, indicating a transition from the awe-inspiring vision of the temple and the triumphant worship to the next stage of divine action – the unleashing of the final judgments.
• one of the four living creatures (ἓν ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων, hen ek tōn tessarōn zōōn): These "living creatures" (ζῷα, zōa, lit. "living beings," often "beasts" in older translations) are symbolic, awe-inspiring entities associated with God's throne, typically interpreted as high-ranking angelic beings (cherubim or seraphim). They are first introduced in Rev 4:6-9, embodying the fullness of creation's worship and being intimately involved in executing God's will and revelation. Their act of handing the bowls underscores the direct, solemn, and divinely sanctioned nature of these judgments, which proceed from the very presence of God.
• gave (ἔδωκεν, edōken): Simple past tense of "to give." This word denotes an authoritative, purposeful, and deliberate transfer of power or objects, indicating a divinely mandated action. It's not a suggestion but a directive from the heavenly realm.
• to the seven angels (τοῖς ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις, tois hepta angelois): These angels are specific divine agents previously seen in Rev 15:1 and will later execute the plagues in Rev 16. The number "seven" signifies completeness and finality, underscoring that these are the ultimate and definitive judgments. Angels frequently serve as messengers and executors of God's will, particularly in matters of judgment, throughout Scripture (e.g., Matt 13:41).
• seven golden bowls (ἑπτὰ φιάλας χρυσᾶς, hepta phialas chrysas):
  • Seven (ἑπτὰ, hepta): Again, completion and totality, signifying these are the final plagues, bringing God's judgment to its appointed conclusion.
  • golden (χρυσᾶς, chrysas): Gold signifies purity, preciousness, divine origin, and sacredness. It implies that even the vessels carrying God's wrath are pure and holy, emanating from a perfectly just God.
  • bowls (φιάλας, phialas): The Greek term phialē refers to shallow, broad bowls or saucers, distinct from deeper cups (ποτήριον, potērion). This choice of vessel suggests that the contents are not sipped gradually but are intended to be quickly and completely poured out, symbolizing a swift, overwhelming, and unmitigated outpouring of judgment, in contrast to the more drawn-out sequence of seals and trumpets.
• full of (γεμούσας, gemousas): Emphasizes that the bowls are entirely filled, containing nothing diluted or held back. This highlights the absolute and total nature of the coming wrath—there will be no measure withheld.
• the wrath of God (τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, tou thymou tou Theou):
  • Wrath (θυμοῦ, thymos): In Greek, thymos often describes a sudden, passionate outburst, contrasting with orgē (ὀργή) which is a more settled, persistent indignation (though often used interchangeably in contexts of divine wrath). Here, combined with orgē later (Rev 16:1), it conveys the intense and unrestrained nature of this specific outpouring. It is not human anger, but holy, just, and divine indignation against sin and unrighteousness, a necessary attribute of a righteous God. It's God's righteous opposition to evil, flowing from His perfect justice.
  • of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ, tou Theou): Clearly states the divine origin of this wrath, emphasizing that it is entirely just and holy. It is not arbitrary, but a direct response to persistent rebellion and persecution of His saints.
• who lives forever and ever (τοῦ ζῶντος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, tou zōntos eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn): This title for God emphasizes His eternal nature, His unchanging sovereignty, and His active presence through all ages. Attributing the wrath to the "ever-living God" highlights its certainty, its unchangeable nature, and the undeniable authority behind these final judgments. It's an affirmation of God's transcendent power and timeless justice.

Revelation 15 7 Bonus section

The act of the "living creature" delivering the bowls signifies the deep involvement of God's closest attendants in His sovereign rule, confirming that these judgments are not random events but are fully sanctioned and orchestrated from the divine throne room. The "wrath of God" is a manifestation of His absolute holiness, an active opposition to anything that defiles His perfect character or opposes His righteous will. These bowl judgments can be seen as the intensified culmination of the curses promised in the Old Covenant (e.g., Deuteronomy 28) and foreshadowed by various prophets, revealing the terrifying consequences of rejecting God's persistent grace and warnings.

Revelation 15 7 Commentary

Revelation 15:7 is a crucial transition point, signifying the decisive commencement of God's final, irreversible judgments upon the world. The image of a living creature, intimately linked to the divine throne, handing over seven golden bowls filled with God's wrath underscores the ultimate divine authority and the holiness from which these judgments proceed. The number seven reinforces their conclusive nature, while "golden bowls" indicate pure, untainted, and swiftly poured-out divine indignation, not subject to negotiation or abatement. This act demonstrates that divine judgment is an intrinsic outflow of God's eternal righteousness, directly responding to prolonged rebellion and persecution, revealing Him not only as loving and patient but also as perfectly just. It reassures believers that justice will ultimately prevail against all ungodliness.