15:2 John again "saw"(cf. vv. 1, 5) the sea of glass that was similar to crystal (4:6; cf. Exod. 24:10; Ezek. 1:22), though here he wrote that it also had fire in it. The sea most likely represents the holiness and majesty of God that separate Him from His creation (cf. 4:6). The fire suggests the judgment that is about to come. Another view is that the fiery sea respresents the persecution by the beast during the Tribulation.502The people standing on this sea appear to be the Tribulation martyrs (6:9-11; 7:9-17; 12:11; 14:1-5, 13). They had overcome the beast, his image, and the number of his name, three specific entities that combine to heighten appreciation for their victory.
God probably intended that we see allusions to the Exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea here. Jesus Christ will lead these believers in a great deliverance as Moses led the Israelites long ago. However, these overcomes stand on the sea, not beside it, as they give thanks to God (cf. Exod. 15). Harps denote dedication to the service of God (1 Chron. 16:42; cf. Rev. 5:8; 14:2).
15:3 These martyrs sang two songs as seems clear from the repetition of the words "the song."Moses recorded two songs in praise of God's faithfulness and deliverance of the Israelites. Of these the one in Exodus 15 seems slightly more appropriate for these martyrs to echo than the one in Deuteronomy 32 because it is a song of victory. Nevertheless they both contain similar emphases. The song of the Lamb seems to be a song not recorded elsewhere in Scripture, though some commentators have suggested several different Psalms. Probably this song follows in verses 3-4. In the case of both songs, the genative "of"is probably subjective: Moses and the Lamb were responsible for these songs, not the subjects of them.
"Moses celebrated a deliverance by the Lord which adumbrated a greater deliverance to come. The greater redemption eclipsed the former by a similar degree as the second redeemer transcended the first. Moses and the Lamb are no more to be bracketed than the promised land of Israel is to be equated with the kingdom of God. The unity of God's purpose and the continuity of God's people under both covenants include a disjunction of his action in Christ and of his people's experience of redemption."503
The first part of this song extols God's works and ways. Specifically God's works in judging His enemies are in view. His might makes judgment possible. His ways of judging are just and faithful. His sovereignty makes His judgment necessary.
15:4 It is inevitable that everyone fears God and glorifies Him. The rhetorical questions make this crystal clear (cf. 13:4). This will happen after He finishes judging (cf. Ps. 86:8-10; Jer. 10:7). One reason for this fear and glory is God's unapproachable majesty (Gr. hosios). Another is the fact that everyone will worship Him when Christ returns because He has purged the earth. He will reveal His righteous acts when He judges the earth.
Note that the martyrs do not refer to what they did in overcoming the beast but to what God is and did.
