What does Revelation 15:2 mean?

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. Revelation 15:2

Explanation

Revelation 15:2 depicts a vision filled with symbolic imagery and portrays a scene of victory and worship in heaven. The “sea of glass” mentioned in the verse is reminiscent of the bronze laver or basin that stood in the courtyard of the tabernacle and later the temple, which was used for purification. In the context of this vision, the sea of glass serves a similar symbolic role, representing purity and possibly the barrier between God and humankind.

The sea being “mingled with fire” suggests the trials and tribulations that the overcomers have passed through. Fire often symbolizes God’s judgment or the various difficulties people face, implying that these individuals have endured persecution and hardship, especially those associated with the “beast,” his “image,” and his “mark,” as noted in previous chapters of Revelation.

The mention of those who “had gotten the victory over the beast” refers to the faithful who have resisted the pressures to worship the beast and accept its mark. The “number of his name” refers to the enigmatic “666” mentioned in Revelation 13:18, which symbolizes the epitome of human pride and rebellion against God.

These victorious individuals standing on the sea of glass “having the harps of God” indicates their engagement in divine worship, using harps as an instrument often associated with prophetic and sacred music in the Bible.

Historical Context

Revelation was written by the Apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos, likely during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, around AD 95. The book addresses seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and was circulated among them during a time when Christians faced persecution by the Roman Empire. The vivid imagery and symbolism in the book served to convey hope and instruction to a persecuted community by using language and concepts familiar to them from the Old Testament and their cultural context.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Revelation 15:2 presents a picture of eschatological (end times) salvation and reward for faithfulness. Different traditions interpret this victory variously:

• Premillennialism: Believers see this passage as a futuristic prophecy, anticipating a literal fulfillment during the end times.
• Amillennialism: This view interprets the imagery more allegorically, emphasizing the victory of the church over spiritual evil through Christ.
• Historicism: Here, the verse has been seen as describing historical events unfolding through the church age, with the beast representing different oppressive regimes.
• Preterism: Preterists might view this as describing the fall of Jerusalem or the eventual defeat of the Roman Empire.

Practical Applications

This verse can offer comfort to believers facing trials, reminding them that faithfulness can lead to spiritual victory and heavenly reward. It encourages steadfastness and resistance against evil influences, as well as the importance of worship and spiritual purity.

Cross-References

• Trials and Overcoming: James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
• Purity and Separation from Sin: 2 Corinthians 6:17 – “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”
• Use of Harps in Worship: Psalm 33:2 – “Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.”

Language Study

Study of the original Greek text of Revelation 15:2 yields insights into its meaning:

• “Sea of glass” (θαλάσσην ὑαλίνην, thalassan hualinen): This phrase combines the word for “sea” (thalassa) with “glass” (hualinos), indicating a surface that is transparent or crystalline, suggesting purity and perhaps calmness.
• “Mingled with fire” (μεμιγμένην πυρί, memigmenēn puri): The Greek word “memigmenēn” can imply “mixed” or “mingled,” which, together with “puri” (fire), indicates a compound image of both calmness (sea of glass) and intense experiences (fire).

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the Greco-Roman world, the sea often symbolized chaos and danger, yet the imagery of a stable “sea of glass” indicates a divine reversal of this chaos. Many ancient religions feature the motif of cosmic battles and the eventual victory of the gods or heroes over forces of chaos, with such iconography potentially influencing the Biblical text.

Scientific Perspectives

The mixing of the concepts of a “sea of glass” with “fire” does not find a direct analogue in scientific reality, as these images are metaphorical in nature. However, the use of fire might be seen as reflecting an understanding of purification processes or the transformative power of trials, which can be understood in psychological terms today.

Commentaries

Commentary on Revelation often varies due to the complexity and symbolic nature of the text:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the grandeur of the vision, suggesting that the sea of glass mingled with fire represents God’s providence and justice.
• The New International Commentary on the New Testament takes a more interpretive approach, suggesting that the scene reflects liturgical worship and the final vindication of martyrs.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges stresses the connection between the imagery used in Revelation 15:2 and Old Testament symbolism, particularly regarding the purification and the link with Exodus and the Red Sea.