5After these things John looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of the testimony in heaven was opened, [15:6] and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the sanctuary, clothed in pure bright linen and with golden sashes around their chests. [15:7] One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives into the ages of the ages. [15:8] The sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one was able to enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
REV 15:5-8
Preparation for Judgment
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, the temple was the central symbol of divine presence and order. The 'tabernacle of the testimony' evokes the portable sanctuary of Israel’s wilderness journey, a temporary dwelling of God’s glory. For Jewish listeners, this imagery would recall the Shekinah, the visible manifestation of God’s presence, often associated with smoke and fire. The seven angels, clothed in pure linen and golden sashes, reflect the attire of priests and divine messengers, signifying purity and authority. The golden bowls used for libations in temple rituals here contain divine wrath , a term denoting intense, righteous anger. The smoke filling the temple echoes Exodus 40:34-35, where God’s glory fills the tabernacle, preventing entry. This scene underscores the inaccessibility of God’s presence during judgment, a stark reminder of divine holiness and the seriousness of the plagues about to be unleashed.
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How other translations render this
REV 15:5
- KJV
- And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
- BSB
- After this I looked, and the temple—the tabernacle of the Testimony—was opened in heaven.
- Koinōnos
- After these things John looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of the testimony in heaven was opened,
REV 15:6
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean and bright linen and girded with golden sashes around their chests.
- Koinōnos
- and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the sanctuary, clothed in pure bright linen and with golden sashes around their chests.
REV 15:7
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
- Koinōnos
- One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives into the ages of the ages.
REV 15:8
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
- Koinōnos
- The sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one was able to enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
REV 15:5
- of the:The word translated 'tent' or 'tabernacle' here refers to a portable sanctuary, a dwelling place for God that could be moved, emphasizing His presence among His people even in their journeys.
REV 15:6
- plagues:The term translated 'plagues' often referred to a physical blow or wound, suggesting a direct, impactful, and painful judgment, not just a general affliction.
REV 15:7
- bowls:The word translated 'bowls' describes a broad, shallow dish, often used for libations or offerings, suggesting a pouring out rather than a contained vessel.
- wrath:The word translated 'wrath' here denotes a passionate, intense outburst of anger, often sudden and boiling, rather than a settled, enduring indignation.