1. Temple in Heaven. 15:5-8 After vision of sea of glass John’s attention taken to the temple in heaven - opened. Word for temple used means ‘nave’ - the Most Holy Place. In tabernacle of Israel Most Holy Place separated off by curtains - contained the ark of the Covenant - only High Priest entered. Represents saints clothed with immortality elevated into political heavens of Government.

2. Messengers Going Forth. 15:5 is the finality - next verses explain developments to bring this into being. 15:6 angels - angelos means ‘sent forth’ - saints have mission. Linen garment and golden girdle represent multitudinous saints. Suitably equipped to discipline in mercy - teach and reform the nations.

3. Living Creatures Reappear. 15:1 Seven angels - symbolise immortalized saints. 15:7 Living creatures represent the Spirit of God manifest as ‘encamped in the saints’ Picture of God dwelling among the foursquare camp of the armies of Israel. Military emblem of glorified saints represented as giving golden vials of wrath to the seven angels - time has come for action.

4. Emptying of Vials. 15:7 Vials means “bowls” Vials made of gold - stands for tried faith. Actions of Saints to be taken in pouring out God’s wrath carried out in faith and in MERCY.

5. Glory Hidden. “And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD” (1 Kings 8:10). Temple filled with smoke indicates God’s judgments in progress - his glory hidden until completion.

6. A Subdued World. Nations invited to serve and praise Jesus the King - enthroned in Jerusalem. Saints will minister to them in new Temple of Ezekiel’s prophecy. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zech.14:16).

7. Involvement of the Saints. From chapter 16 see that saints not involved till after first five vials and part of sixth have taken place. Only after 16:15 - indicating the Resurrection, can saints take their part. Until that time God uses men - exercising their own freewill - to execute His judgments - like Alaric, Attila, Napoleon etc

8. The Seven Spirit Power. At point in time (Acts 17:31), the Lord will return and raise the saints. Together, as the multitudinous man, they will become the agent girded with the power of the Spirit - will complete the work needed to subdue the earth. This Power is the same Seven-Spirit power in the outpouring of all the seven vials. Thus all the vials are said to be given to the seven angels.

9. Seventh Trumpet and Vials. 11:13 seventh trumpet begins to sound immediately after French Revolution. Vials in ch.15 and 16 are the details of this seventh trumpet First five vials concern military campaigns of Napoleon at beginning of 19th century, following French Revolution. 21stCentury is the time of sixth vial - seventh trumpet - which is to see the return of Jesus - still sounding.