Revelation 15:1; The Seven Last Plagues

Revelation 15:1 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. 

“Seven angels having seven last plagues.” For John this is the sign of totality. The number seven depicts completeness, so that these bowls of wrath represent the final and complete outpouring of God’s anger on the world. They are the last plagues, in the sense of their inevitability and finality (see also 21:9).

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 427). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Chapters 15 and 16 form a unit in which the one introduces the other. Indeed, Revelation 15:1 mentions seven angels with the seven last plagues and 16:1–21 describes the angels each pouring one of the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.

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. 

This component of seven plagues forms the last cycle in the interconnected series of sevens: seals, trumpets, and plagues. Once again we see that this unit concludes with a distinct reference to God’s judgment on the unbelievers. The cycle of the seals records the phrase the fourth part of the earth (Revelation 6:8); the cycle of the trumpets uses the term one-third to point to partial destruction (Revelation 8:7).

Revelation 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 

Revelation 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 

This last cycle, however, ends in complete and total judgment. When the seventh angel has poured out his bowl, a loud voice from God’s throne says: “It is done” (Revelation 16:17).

Revelation 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. 

In short, the three cycles of seals, trumpets, and bowls follow each other with increasingly severe judgments, and the last one features finality.

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 424–426). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.