Revelation – Chapter 15

New Testament8 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 15 of Revelation begins: "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having the seven last plagues. For in them is filled up the wrath of…" Moses stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 8 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and holiness. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having the seven last plagues. For in them is filled up the wrath of God.

2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had overcome the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God:

3And singing the canticle of Moses, the servant of God, and the canticle of the Lamb, saying: Great and wonderful are thy works, O Lord God Almighty. Just and true are thy ways, O King of ages.

4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and magnify thy name? For thou only art holy. For all nations shall come and shall adore in thy sight, because thy judgments are manifest.

5And after these things, I looked: and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

6And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed with clean and white linen and girt about the breasts with golden girdles.

7And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden vials, full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

8And the temple was filled with smoke from the majesty of God and from his power. And no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Important Verses in Revelation 15

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having the seven last plagues. For in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:1

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and magnify thy name? For thou only art holy. For all nations shall come and shall adore in thy sight, because thy judgments are manifest.

Revelation 15:4

And the temple was filled with smoke from the majesty of God and from his power. And no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Revelation 15:8

Historical Context

Revelation belongs to the New Testament and was composed for persecuted churches, lifted to see Christ's final victory. Chapter 15 of 22 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a apocalyptic vision revealing God's ultimate victory over evil with 8 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having the seven last plagues. For in them is…" It concludes: "And the temple was filled with smoke from the majesty of God and from his power. And no man was able to enter into the…" In terms of historical background, Written to seven churches of Asia suffering under Rome's demand for emperor worship, Revelation unveils history's hidden meaning through visions of heavenly liturgy: the Lamb who was slain stands victorious, and every… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

Who Wrote It

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle

When It Was Written

About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian

Catholic Commentary

Apocalyptic language here speaks of judgment, hope, and the fulfillment of God's promises. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having the seven last plagues. For in them is filled up the wrath of God." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1265). Here, Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize sin and divine judgment as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Moses1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Revelation Chapter 15, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of Christ's victory and the new creation.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Revelation Chapter 15 supports that call by drawing attention to redemptive suffering united to the Cross within the wider message that Behold, I am making all things new.

As you continue through Revelation, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Revelation Chapter 15 about?

Revelation 15 contains 8 verses. It opens with "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having the seven last plagues. For in them is…" and closes with "And the temple was filled with smoke from the majesty of God and from his power. And no man was able to enter into the…". The book as a whole is apocalyptic prophecy and epistle.

What is a key verse in Revelation 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having the seven last plagues. For in them is filled up the wrath of God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Revelation Chapter 15?

This chapter mentions Moses.

Who wrote Revelation and when?

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle. About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

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