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Rev_15:1. ἄλλο σημ . The manifestations in ch. 14., with which the present angelic manifestation is contrasted as an ἄλλο σημ ., were also apocalyptic signs.
μέγα καὶ θαυμαστόν . The greatness (Rev_12:1) and marvellousness lies not only in the fact that seven angels—not archangels[3593]—appear at once, but also in their peculiar equipage: ἜΧΟΝΤΑς ΠΛΗΓᾺς ἙΠΤΆ . Manifestly John wishes, by this expression,[3594] to say more than that they had a sign (“signatur”) of the plagues to be brought by them, as that possibly their eyes shone like flames of fire;[3595] the idea is, that they who have the ἘΞΟΥΣΙΑ to bring the plagues described in ch. 16.[3596] have and hold these plagues themselves. In what way this is to be understood, is not said; it belongs to the θαυμαστόν of this vision. But it is worthy of notice with what beautiful, artistic transparency the declaration of the actual ordination of these plagues is communicated, in that (Rev_15:5 sqq.) the seven angels, who are described again also in Rev_15:6 as οἱ ἔχοντες τ . ἑπτὰ πληγ ., receive special vials, through the pouring-out of which the plagues can first be brought to plastic representation.
From Rev_15:5, where the ναός in heaven is opened, and then the seven angels proceed therefrom, Züll., De Wette, Ebrard, etc., correctly infer that in Rev_15:1 a point cannot be designated lying within the vision actually before Rev_15:5, as though John in Rev_15:1 had only first beheld the seven angels themselves, but in Rev_15:5 their coming forth from the ναός , etc.; rather in Rev_15:1, the chief subject of the entire vision extending to Rev_16:21, yea in a certain way embracing the entire final development,[3597] is first given preliminarily, while the more detailed account as to how the seven angels actually come forth follows then (Rev_15:5) after the heavenly hymn, Rev_15:2-4,—during which the angels are to be regarded as in the still closed ναός ,—has praised beforehand the righteousness of the judgment to be executed by them; and then they themselves are certainly equipped for (Rev_15:7) their work, and directed (Rev_16:1) to fulfil their calling. Cf. Rev_12:6 in its relation to Rev_12:13 sqq.
τὰς ἐσχάτας . Not “the last in this way,”[3598] nor the last which a certain portion of the enemies has to endure,[3599] but for the reason: ὅτι ἐν αὐταῖς ἐτελέσθη ὁ θυμὸς τοῦ θεοῦ .[3600] This is misunderstood, however, by Hengstenb., who concludes that with Rev_16:21, where the seven plagues are at an end, the entire final judgment has been recounted,—as should have been the case also in Rev_11:19 and several times before,—and that then, with Rev_17:1, a repetition of that final judgment occurs which renders prominent new sides. Yet not only the very number indicates a meaning analogous to that of the seven last plagues, as the plagues described in the seal- and trumpet-visions, which do not contain the final judgment itself, but have only introduced that immediately before which belongs in the seventh trumpet,[3601] and consequently in the seventh seal;[3602] but, in the sense of the Apoc., the judgment cannot occur at all under the conception of a plague, since, according to the description in ch. 17 sqq., the judgment extends infinitely far over what is contained up to Rev_16:21. The plagues described also in ch. 16.,[3603] not without a reference to those of Egypt,[3604] have in themselves something preparatory to which the final action corresponds. As by the trumpet-plague the dwellers on earth are not brought to repentance,[3605] so also neither are they by the vial-plagues.[3606] The more certain and immediate, therefore, is the actual final judgment, whose description then also immediately follows that of the last plagues,[3607] and to which, therefore, we are directed in the midst of the plagues as to something immediately impending.[3608] The result of this is that the fulfilment of the wrath of God ( ἐτελέσθη )[3609] is to be understood only relatively; viz., in so far as it is manifested in the “plagues.” No more plagues will come after the vial-plagues; but then the Lord himself will come to administer his final judgment.
[3593] Züll., Stern; cf. also De Wette.
[3594] Cf. Rev_17:6, Rev_6:5, Rev_10:2.
[3595] Hengstenb.
[3596] Cf. Rev_16:9, Revelation 21 : ἡ πληγή .
[3597] Cf. Rev_17:1, Rev_21:9.
[3598] C. a Lap.
[3599] Beng.: “After the fulfilment of the seven plagues, the holy wrath of God, therefore, against other enemies does not cease.”
[3600] So too, with formal correctness, Beng.
[3601] Rev_10:7.
[3602] Rev_6:17, Rev_7:1, Rev_8:1.
[3603] Cf. chs. 6, 8., 9
[3604] Cf. also Rev_15:2 sqq.
[3605] Rev_9:20 sqq.
[3606] Rev_16:21.
[3607] Rev_17:1 sqq.
[3608] Rev_16:15.
[3609] Cf. Rev_10:7.