A Scene of Heaven
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful [a warning of terrifying and horrible events]: seven angels who had seven plagues (afflictions, calamities),which arethe last, because with them the wrath of God is finished [that is, it is completely expressed and reaches its zenith].
2 Then I saw something like a seaorlarge expanse of glass mixed with fire, and those who were victorious over the beast and over his image and over the number corresponding to his name were standing on the seaorlarge expanse of glass, holding harps of God [worshiping Him].
3 And theysang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and wonderfulandawe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],
O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of thenations!
4 “Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]?
For You alone are holy;
Forall the nations shall come and worship beforeYou,
ForYourrighteous acts[Your just decrees and judgments]have been revealedanddisplayed.”
5 After these things I looked, and the temple (sanctuary) of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened,
6 and the seven angels who had the seven plagues (afflictions, calamities) came out of the temple, arrayed in linen, pureandgleaming, and wrapped around their chests were golden sashes.
7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrathandindignation of God, who lives forever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled withsmoke from the gloryandradianceandsplendor of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.