The last
post ended with the emergence of the seven angels carrying the last seven
plagues that will dispense the full measure of God’s wrath and vengeance
against the heathen nations. Next John
sees “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony” open.
Revelation 15:5–7 “And after that I
looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven
was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven
plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden
girdles. And one of the four beasts gave
unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth
for ever and ever.”
This is
interesting. After looking up all the words in the Greek, this is my
paraphrase: John sees the temple in
heaven open—the place that houses the Decalogue. This seems to have a
direct connection with Revelation 11:19 providing another affirmation that the
ark of the covenant is in heaven.
Revelation
11:19 “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there
were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
John now reveals that the angels are clothed
appropriate to the righteousness of the judgments that will occur as a result
of the plagues they hold. It’s
interesting to note that the angels are given vials full of the wrath of God to
mix with their plagues. These vials
represent God’s power and authority for the judgment that is about to be poured
out upon the earth and its inhabitants.
I think it is significant that those
delivering the judgments of God are willing servants. They are totally
loyal and committed to obeying God. They know His character; they know
His actions are holy, just and righteous.
Emphasis is given to the fact that these vials are FULL (swelled out) of
the wrath of God. This seems to indicate that these last judgments are going
to bring about the worst torment ever experienced by man on planet earth.
This conclusion is reinforced by the words of Jesus that in context reference
the period of time following “the abomination of desolation” when Satan in the
person of Antichrist declares himself to be “god” in the temple.
Matthew 24:21–22 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was
not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened,
there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall
be shortened.”
John
then tells us that the temple is filled with the smoke of the glory of God,
evidently providing a visual representation of His power.
Revelation 15:8 “And the temple was
filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was
able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were
fulfilled.”
This
reminds me of God’s appearance to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 19:18 “And mount Sinai was
altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the
smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked
greatly.”
No one
is allowed in the temple until the seven plagues have accomplished their
objective. This seems to imply that
access was open until this time. Next
John tells us that he hears a voice of command from within the temple.
Revelation 16:1 “And I heard a great
voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the
vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”
The
angels are told to go and empty their vials upon the earth. “Go
your ways”—indicates that they each have a specific direction to follow.
The Greek for “pour out” states “to pour forth…gush (pour) out…spill. This seems to imply that the vials will be
emptied quickly and with a drowning like impact. They are all sent out at
the same time, and the next few verses indicate that these judgments come in
rapid succession.
(to be continued…)
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