Revelation 15 Study Notes

15:5-8 The heavenly temple was last seen in 11:19, in connection with the sounding of the last trumpet. The previous uses of the Greek word for tabernacle in the book refer to the “heaven dwellers” (see 7:15; 13:6). The angels with the plagues are dressed in the garments of OT priests. The mention of golden bowls calls to mind “the prayers of the saints,” which are in golden bowls (5:8) before the Lord, especially the martyrs’ prayer to avenge their blood on the “earth dwellers” (6:10). The wording of the third bowl of wrath (16:4-7), especially the mention of a voice coming from “the altar” (16:7), may link “the prayers of the saints” to the seven gold bowls filled with the wrath of God. The sanctuary being filled with smoke from the glory of God recalls the cloud and the glory of God filling the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex 40:34), indicating God was present with his people and guiding them.