Revelation 15:2; The Victory Over the Beast

Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 

There is a similarity between the opening statement of 12:1, “And a great sign appeared in heaven,” and that of Revelation 15:1, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous.” Also, there is a parallel between those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name in Revelation 13:14–18 and the wording in 15:2.

Revelation 13:14-18 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means ofthose miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number isSix hundred threescore andsix. 

And last, Revelation 13:1, 2, and 4 mention the dragon and 13:11 the beast coming up out of the earth, that is, the false prophet.

Revelation 13:1-2 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feetof a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 

Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who islike unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 

These terms correspond to 16:13, which specifies the dragon and the false prophet.

Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. 

In the first four verses of chapter 15, John looks to the future and foretells what will happen when the strife is over. He speaks of the victory achieved by those who have overcome the power and influence of the beast. Thus he records the song of Moses and the Lamb. And in the next four verses (Revelation 15:5–8) he describes the temple and the seven angels. From this place and by these angels the plagues originate and are fulfilled.

Revelation 15:5-8 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 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. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory 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. 

Every time John speaks about God’s judgment on the unbelieving world, he has a segment on the victorious saints. For instance, after the six seals in chapter 6, he pictures the saints in chapter 7. Following the seven trumpets (chapters 10–11), he portrays God’s protective care of the persecuted church (chapter 12). And the portrayal of the multitude of saints with the Lamb on Mount Zion (14:1–5) is juxtaposed with God’s awesome judgments on his enemies (14:6–11). The harvest of the believers precedes that of the unbelievers (14:15–20).

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