1I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God’s wrath is finished.
2I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations.
4Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you only are holy.
For all the nations will come and worship before you.
For your righteous acts have been revealed.”
5After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their chests.
7One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished.
The people who stood on the sea of glass mixed with fire and sang the song of Moses and the Lamb were the saints who had overcome the beast and his image and mark. This sea of glass is the same “sea” seen in the throne room of God in chapters 4 and 5. Its occupants are identified as tribulation saints, likely all martyrs.
The song they sing is identified as “the Song of Moses.” However, it does not match the two songs of Moses recorded in Scripture (Deut 32, Exod 15). This song has parts of both, but more parts from Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 32 is a song of judgment that fits the last seven bowls. It appears that Deuteronomy 32:3 is quoted in the song. Moses introduces his song in Deuteronomy by saying it is a song never to be forgotten (Deut 31:21). He also says it deals with the last days (Deut 32:29). However, there are not enough elements of either song to consider this a copy of either. Rather, the similarities reflect Moses’ writing style and indicate that this is a new song he wrote after arriving in heaven.