Rev 15:5-8 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 5. And after that I looked . After I had seen in vision the redeemed thus referred to, celebrating the praises of God, I saw the preparation made for the execution of these purposes of judgment. And, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony . Not the whole temple, but only that part to which this name was given, The word tabernacle --σκηνη--means properly a booth, hut, tent, and was the name commonly given to the tent or tabernacle that was erected in the wilderness for the service of God. . The same word came naturally to be applied to the temple that was reared for the same purpose in Jerusalem. It is called the "tabernacle of testimony," because it was a testimony or witness of the presence of God among the people--that is, it served to keep up the remembrance of him. , where the same Greek phrase is used as here-rendered there "tabernacle of witness ." The word temple here--ναος--does not refer to the whole of the building called the "temple," but to the holy of holies. . This was regarded as the peculiar dwelling-place of God; and it was this sacred place, usually closed from all access, that now seemed to be opened, implying that the command to execute these purposes came directly from God himself. In heaven . That is, that part of heaven which corresponds to the most holy place in the temple was opened; to wit, that which is the peculiar residence of God himself. Was opened . Was thrown open to the view of John, so that he was permitted to look, as it were, upon the very dwelling-place of God. From his holy presence now came forth the angels to execute his purposes of judgment on that Antichristian power which had so long corrupted religion and oppressed the world.

Revelation of John 15:5-8

Verse 5. And after that I looked. After I had seen in vision the redeemed thus referred to, celebrating the praises of God, I saw the preparation made for the execution of these purposes of judgment.

And, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony. Not the whole temple, but only that part to which this name was given, The word tabernacle--σκηνη--means properly a booth, hut, tent, and was the name commonly given to the tent or tabernacle that was erected in the wilderness for the service of God. Acts 7:44. The same word came naturally to be applied to the temple that was reared for the same purpose in Jerusalem. It is called the "tabernacle of testimony," because it was a testimony or witness of the presence of God among the people--that is, it served to keep up the remembrance of him. Acts 7:44, where the same Greek phrase is used as here-rendered there "tabernacle of witness." The word temple here--ναος--does not refer to the whole of the building called the "temple," but to the holy of holies. Heb 9:3. This was regarded as the peculiar dwelling-place of God; and it was this sacred place, usually closed from all access, that now seemed to be opened, implying that the command to execute these purposes came directly from God himself.

In heaven. That is, that part of heaven which corresponds to the most holy place in the temple was opened; to wit, that which is the peculiar residence of God himself.

Was opened. Was thrown open to the view of John, so that he was permitted to look, as it were, upon the very dwelling-place of God. From his holy presence now came forth the angels to execute his purposes of judgment on that Antichristian power which had so long corrupted religion and oppressed the world. Verse 6. And the seven angels. Rev 15:1.

Came out of the temple. Were seen to come from the temple; that is, from the immediate presence of God.

Having the seven plagues. Rev 15:1. Each one entrusted with a single "plague" to be executed upon the earth. The meaning here is, that they were designated or appointed to execute those plagues in judgments. The symbols of their office--the golden vials--were given to them afterwards, Rev 15:7.

Clothed in pure and white linen. The emblem of holiness--the common representation in regard to the heavenly inhabitants. Rev 3:4; 7:13. Compare Mt 17:2, Lk 9:29, Mk 16:5.

And having their breasts girded with golden girdles. Rev 1:13. The meaning is, that they were attired in a manner befitting their rank and condition. Verse 7. And one of the four beasts. Rev 4:6-7. Which one of the four is not mentioned. From the explanation given of the design of the representation of the "four beasts," or living creatures, in Barnes on "Re 4:6-7", it would seem that the meaning here is, that the great principles of that Divine government would be illustrated in the events which are now to occur. In events that were so closely connected with the honour of God and the triumph of his cause on the earth, there was a propriety in the representation that these living creatures, symbolizing the great principles of Divine administration, would be particularly interested.

Gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials. The word here used--φιαλη--means, properly, "a bowl or goblet, having more breadth than depth."--Rob. Lex. Our word vial, though derived from this, means rather a thin, long bottle of glass, used particularly by apothecaries and druggists. The word would be better rendered by bowl or goblet, and probably the representation here was of such were bowls as used in the temple service. Rev 5:8. They are called, in Rev 16:1, "vials of the wrath of God;" and here they are said to be "full of the wrath of God." The allusion seems to be to a drinking cup or goblet filled with poison, and given to persons to drink-- an allusion drawn from one of the methods of punishment in ancient times. Rev 14:10. These vials or goblets thus became emblems of Divine wrath to be inflicted on the beast and his image. Full of the wrath of God. Filled with that which represented his wrath; that is, they seemed to be filled with a poisonous mixture, which being poured upon the earth, the sea, the rivers, the sun, the seat of the beast, the river Euphrates, and into the air, was followed by severe Divine judgments on this great Antichristian power. See Rev 16:2-4,8,10,12,17.

Who liveth for ever and ever. The eternal God. The particular object in referring to this attribute here appears to be, that though there may seem to be delay in the execution of his purposes, yet they will be certainly accomplished, as he is the ever-living and unchangeable God. He is not under a necessity of abandoning his purposes, like men, if they are not soon accomplished. Verse 8. And the temple was filled with smoke. The usual symbol of the Divine presence in the temple. Isa 4:6; 6:4.

From the glory of God. From the manifestation of the Divine Majesty. That is, the smoke was the proper accompaniment of the Divine Being when appearing in majesty. So on Mount Sinai he is represented as appearing in this manner: "And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly," Ex 19:18. The purpose here seems to have been partly to represent the smoke as the proper symbol of the Divine presence, and partly to represent it as so filling the temple that no one could enter it until the seven plagues were fulfilled.

And from his power. Produced by his power; and the symbol of his power.

And no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. Till those vials had been poured out, and all that was indicated by them was accomplished. The meaning here seems to be, that no one would be permitted to enter to make intercession-to turn away his wrath--to divert him from his purpose. That is, the purpose of punishment had been formed, and would certainly be executed. The agents or instrumentalities in this fearful work had been now sent forth, and they would by no means be recalled. The mercy-seat, in this respect, was inaccessible; the time of judgment on the great foe had come, and the destruction of the grand enemy of the church was certain. The point, therefore, at which this vision leaves us, is that where all the preparations are made for the infliction of the threatened punishment on the grand Antichristian power which had so long stood up against the truth; where the agents had prepared to go forth; and where no intercession will ever avail to turn away the infliction of the Divine wrath. The details follow in the next chapter.

(b) "filled" Isa 6:4 (c) "glory of God" Ps 29:9