Revelation 15:5

Modern

After this I looked, and the temple—the tabernacle of the Testimony—was opened in heaven.

Traditional

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

Literal

And after these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

Latin

Et post hæc vidi: et ecce apertum est templum tabernaculi testimonii in cælo,

Greek

English

After this I looked, and the temple—the tabernacle of the Testimony—was opened in heaven.

God's tabernacle shows God's presence (see John 1:14). Even the plagues come from God's presence. Christ's sacrifice (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Hebrews 6:19–20; 10:19–20) removed the barrier between God and humanity (see Exodus 26:31–35; Leviticus 16). Now, those who do not belong to Christ feel the full impact of God's presence (see Revelation 20:11–15; Isaiah 13:4–12; Zephaniah 2:1–3; Malachi 3:2–3).
bright linen: Linen, a symbol of purity, was also worn by priests during their duties (see Exodus 28:39–43; Leviticus 16:4, 23; see also Ezekiel 9:2–3; Daniel 12:6–7). These angels do not intercede; they are agents of judgment. The linen represents the purity and justice of God's judgment.
The gold sashes across their chests likely symbolize their divine mission as ministers of justice for God (compare Revelation 1:13).

The third and final cycle of seven judgments (see study note on Revelation 6:1–16:21) begins with a vision of God's victorious people singing a hymn of praise (Revelation 15:2–4). Then, a scene of the temple appears (Revelation 15:5–8), where angels come out carrying the bowls of God's judgment for the earth (16:1–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
Numbers 1:50
Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.
Matthew 27:51
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.
Numbers 1:53
But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.”
Exodus 38:21
This is the inventory for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, as recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Exodus 25:21
Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark.