Revelation 15:5-6
(1) After these things I looked, and (2) the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, and (3) the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, (4) clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes.
(1) After these things I looked, and (2) the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, and (3) the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, (4) clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes.
1. After these things I looked = indicates a new vision sequence.
a. The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven: Exodus 25:8-9 and Hebrews 8:9 remind us that the tabernacle of meeting God told Moses to build was based on the pattern of heaven. This refers to the heavenly reality of the tabernacle, not the earthly copy.
2. The temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened = introduces the judgment of God that will follow in the form of seven bowl judgments. We cannot with certainty identify the tabernacle of testimony. However, it appears that the purpose of this place is to assure the reader that the wrath of God about fall is justified and verifiable. Who opened the doors of heaven’s temple is not stated. However, the reason the doors are opened is to allow the seven plague-carrying angels to exit.
a. The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven: Exodus 25:8-9 and Hebrews 8:9 remind us that the tabernacle of meeting God told Moses to build was based on the pattern of heaven. This refers to the heavenly reality of the tabernacle, not the earthly copy.
2. The temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened = introduces the judgment of God that will follow in the form of seven bowl judgments. We cannot with certainty identify the tabernacle of testimony. However, it appears that the purpose of this place is to assure the reader that the wrath of God about fall is justified and verifiable. Who opened the doors of heaven’s temple is not stated. However, the reason the doors are opened is to allow the seven plague-carrying angels to exit.
3. The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple = indicates the emergence of the seven angels who execute the wrath of God. The exact nature of the wrath is not yet indicated.
4. Clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes = describes dress of the seven bowl-carrying angels. The particular Greek term for linen, linon, occurs only here in the Revelation. Whether this suggests that the dress of these seven angels is different from others in the book of Revelation who also wear linen dress is not clear. The golden sashes underscore the special status of these seven angels.
Revelation 15:7
(1) Then one of the four living creatures (2) gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
(1) Then one of the four living creatures (2) gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
1. Then one of the four living creatures = indicates that a person closer to the throne of God commissions the seven bowl-carrying angels.
2. Gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God = is the first indication of the nature of God’s wrath about to be unleashed on the earth. The particular bowls given to the angels suggest a shallow surface, which indicates quick delivery of content.
Revelation 15:8
(1) And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and (2) no one was able to enter the temple (3) until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
(1) And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and (2) no one was able to enter the temple (3) until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
1. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power = suggests that the temple in heaven is the scene from which the final wrath of God will be executed upon the living earth-dwellers. Smoke is a biblical motif that appears in context with manifestations of God throughout the Bible (Lev 16:12-13; Exod 19:18, 40:34-35; Isa 6:4). What is the purpose of God’s presence in His temple at this point in the chronology of the Revelation?
2. No one was able to enter the temple = is a common response to the manifestation of God’s glory. Exodus 40:16-38 recounts that Moses was unable to enter the "tent of meeting" because the cloud of God’s glory filled it. I Kings 8:1-66 details the dedication of Solomon’s temple, which resulted in the filling of the temple with the glory of God such that the priests could not enter it. Why no one is able to enter God’s temple is not explained. However, in context since the final expression of God’s wrath is going forth, there is no need to enter. There is no intercession at this point and there is no appeal.
3. Until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished = sets the limits of God’s unapproachableness.