THE JUDGMENT OF THE WORLD PREPARATIONS

The Preparation for the Judgment upon the World  

Vs. 5-8

"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. 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."

The Temple in Heaven is Opened Vs. 5 cf. 11:19

"And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened."

"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."

 

 

The “sign” has now vanished from John’s sight and he looks once more at the heavenly temple which is opened again (or, perhaps, still—note Revelation 11:19). The same angels he had seen in the sign now emerge from the temple, dressed as priests with golden girdles (Leviticus 16:4), ready to administer the seven last plagues on the earth.

 

In the temple is the ark of the testimony signifying the faithfulness of God in keeping promises. The temple is God's dwelling. So out of the temple come all the plagues.

The Angels of Judgment Come from the Temple Vs. 6

"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."

They are seven in number, signifying completeness. They are clothed in white, signifying no mercy. They are girded with golden girdles signifying the righteousness of their task.

The Bowls of Wrath are Given to the Angels Vs. 7

"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."

The Greek word here is phiale, from which we get “vial.” Some translators render it “bowl,” others by “censer.” The exact form of the container is unknown, though it might even be thought of as a large urn, overflowing with God’s long restrained wrath.
This phrase “for ever and ever” occurs twenty-one times in the book of Revelation, seventeen of which stress the uniquely eternal nature of God. Three times it refers to the never-ending punishment of the ungodly. Once, in its final occurrence, it refers to the never-ending blessedness of the redeemed. “The Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5)
One of the four creatures charges the angels with the execution of wrath. The seven bowls of wrath are full and ready. This wrath is of Him who lives forever and ever.

The Glory of God Filled the Temple with Smoke Vs. 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."

Judgment comes from the presence of God, just as salvation comes from his presence. Judgment is the reverse side of salvation. No one is able to enter into the temple. This is true until judgment is past. There is no salvation until this period is past (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21).

"And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory."
"And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds."
"And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."

These men have challenged God like Pharoah. God wants to give them a complete demonstration, so He allows none to enter the temple to receive salvation. These men are hardened by God due to their own sinfulness and refuse to be saved. Instead they blaspheme as evidence of their incorrigibility.