Rev 15:5-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 15:5-6: 15:5-6 God’s Tabernacle implies God’s presence (see John 1:14 ); even the plagues have their source in God’s presence. Christ’s sacrifice (Matt 27:51 ; Mark 15:38 ; Heb 6:19-20 ; 10:19-20 ) removed the veil between God and humanity (see Exod 26:31-35 ; Lev 16 ). Now those who do not belong to Christ experience the full force of God’s presence (see Rev 20:11-15 ; Isa 13:4-12 ; Zeph 2:1-3 ; Mal 3:2-3 ). • white linen: Linen, a symbol of purity, was also worn by the priests when performing their duties (see Exod 28:39-43 ; Lev 16:4 , 23 ; see also Ezek 9:2-3 ; Dan 12:6-7 ). The function of these angels is not intercession; they are agents of judgment. The linen therefore represents the purity and justice of God’s judgment. • The gold sashes across their chests probably symbolize their divine mission as ministers of justice on God’s behalf (cp. Rev 1:13 ).

Summary for Rev 15:5-6: 15:5-6 ^a God’s Tabernacle implies God’s presence (see John 1:14 ^b); even the plagues have their source in God’s presence. Christ’s sacrifice (Matt 27:51 ^c; Mark 15:38 ^d; Heb 6:19-20 ^e; 10:19-20 ^f) removed the veil between God and humanity (see Exod 26:31-35 ^g; Lev 16 ^h). Now those who do not belong to Christ experience the full force of God’s presence (see Rev 20:11-15 ⁱ; Isa 13:4-12 ^j; Zeph 2:1-3 ^k; Mal 3:2-3 ^l).

• white linen: Linen, a symbol of purity, was also worn by the priests when performing their duties (see Exod 28:39-43 ^m; Lev 16:4 ⁿ, 23 ^o; see also Ezek 9:2-3 ^p; Dan 12:6-7 ^q). The function of these angels is not intercession; they are agents of judgment. The linen therefore represents the purity and justice of God’s judgment.

• The gold sashes across their chests probably symbolize their divine mission as ministers of justice on God’s behalf (cp. Rev 1:13 ^r).
15:7 ^s the four living beings: See 4:6-8 ^t.

• a gold bowl: These bowls are probably like the offering pans that were used in ancient worship (see Exod 37:16 ^u).
15:8 ^v The Temple was filled with smoke as a symbol of God’s glory and power (Isa 6:4 ^w; see Exod 19:16-18 ^x; 40:34-35 ^y; 1 Kgs 8:10-13 ^z).