The Bible Says
Revelation 15:5-8 Meaning

Revelation 15:5-8 finishes the prelude which precedes the pouring out of the seven bowl judgments which begins in the next chapter. John describes a sweeping scene in heaven’s temple. This heavenly temple imagery mirrors elements of the Old Testament tabernacle-sometimes called the tabernacle of the testimony-where God’s presence would fill the sanctuary, and no one could enter because of His overwhelming glory (Exodus 40:34-35).

John tells us, After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened. (v. 5).

This tabernacle of testimony is reminiscent of Israel’s wilderness tabernacle, which housed the Ark of the Covenant containing God’s law-His testimony. As we are told in Hebrews 8:5, the tabernacle was a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things” that actually exist.

The Greek word translated testimony is “martyrion” from which we derive the English word “martyr.” The victorious overcomers standing in the heavenly vision and singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb in Revelation 14:1-4 are there because of their testimony. They were faithful witnesses who feared God more than rejection, loss, or death. “Martyrion” is also sometimes translated as “witness.”

Here John sees the heavenly original. The opening of this temple signals that God is about to reveal His final judgments on the rebellious world system often depicted as “Babylon” in Revelation. This unveiling continues the overarching theme: Who truly has the right to reign? The following judgments will confirm God’s sovereign and just claim to that authority.

Geographically, this isn’t an earthly spot like the physical Jerusalem temple that was destroyed in AD 70 by Roman legions under Titus. Instead, John peers into the ultimate reality behind that earthly pattern. This heavenly temple is not constrained by human architecture or location; it stands as the true spiritual dwelling of God’s holiness.

Each wave of judgments has underscored God’s power to dethrone Satan, the great dragon, who tries to usurp authority (Revelation 12:7-9). That conflict, spanning all of human history, reaches its climax with the final seven plagues about to be poured out in the seven bowls:

and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes (v. 6).

The appearance of the seven angels evokes the image of the Levitical priestly service. The Old Testament priests wore special garments when performing sacred duties (Exodus 28:2). These are the angels who will pour out the final seven bowls of judgment upon the earth. That they are dressed in priestly garments would indicate that this final act of judgment is being done on God’s behalf in order to bring cleansing and redemption to the earth.

The angels serve as agents carrying God’s holiness and executing His justice. Their clothing highlights the majestic and unblemished nature of their mission: to bring forth “the wrath of God” in a manner that is “righteous and true” (Revelation 15:3).

Their golden sashes (v. 6) symbolize heavenly authority and holiness-gold throughout Scripture signifies purity and kingship (1 Kings 6:20-22). This scene reveals a solemn ceremonial procession: the angels step from the heavenly temple in priestly attire to finalize the mission that will bring about “the completion” of God’s judgment (Revelation 15:1). Just as the High Priest’s garments had to be immaculate to minister on behalf of the people, these angelic messengers are attired as they administer God’s ultimate act of justice.

For believers reading this, the imagery calls to mind a challenge: God’s holiness requires a response of reverent worship and faithful endurance. As the lesson themes remind us, Revelation urges believers to become “overcomers,” standing firm against evil, just as Christ Himself overcame (Revelation 3:21). The holiness of these angels points to God’s holiness and the reality that all will ultimately be brought to justice. Therefore, God’s people ought to live in righteous obedience, knowing the day of judgment is coming (1 Corinthians 5:10).

John then says, Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever (v. 7).

In previous chapters, we encountered four living creatures surrounding God’s throne (Revelation 4:6-8). These extraordinary beings, filled with eyes and wings, are real beings but might also represent aspects of creation continually worshiping the Creator. Now, one of them hands over the golden bowls of wrath to the angels.

Golden bowls again recall temple imagery, specifically the bowls used for offerings or incense (1 Kings 7:50). Here, rather than incense or offering, these bowls are full of the wrath of God. We have some indication that this wrath is stored up from the prayers of saints asking God to bring justice to rectify an unjust world. We see in Revelation 5:8 a set of “golden bowls full of incense” that are “the prayers of the saints.” We also see in Revelation 6:9-10 the prayer of martyrs in heaven asking God to bring justice to those who murdered them.

That God lives forever and ever (v. 7) is a declaration affirming His eternal nature. Satan, the beast, the false prophet, and every worldly power have their fleeting day, but God alone endures eternally (Psalm 90:2). It is not just the people who have been wronged who desire righteousness. The eternal God who made humans in His image also purposes to make things right.

Satan’s plan has always been self-exaltation, but it ends in defeat and humiliation. By contrast, Jesus was rewarded to reign over all the earth because He was willing to humble Himself and learn obedience, even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8-9).

Finally, John observes:

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished (v. 8).

This smoke from the glory of God recalls moments in Israel’s history when God’s glory descended on the tabernacle or temple, making it impossible for priests to stand inside (Exodus 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:10-11). Smoke here symbolizes both the tangible presence of God and the awe-inspiring weight of His holiness. It is a visible reminder that God’s glory overwhelms the capacity of created beings when unveiled in its fullness. Later, in Revelation 21:22-23, we see that in the new earth there will no longer be a temple because “the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” Then the city will have no need of the sun because it will be illuminated by the “glory of God.”

It is interesting to note that no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues are complete prior to these last judgments when, in the new earth, it appears that God’s unveiled glory will be a normal daily occurrence. We can also note that in the new earth there is a class of people who are not allowed into the city (Revelation 21:27, 22:15-16). This might indicate not only that the current earth is about to be judged, but also that the resurrected bodies of God’s people will have new capabilities only hinted at in scripture.

The Apostle Paul says that the resurrected bodies of believers will be “a spiritual body,” indicating that our new bodies will be both flesh and spirit, a paradoxical concept in our current world. We saw that the resurrected Jesus ate and could also appear suddenly out of thin air, which might indicate something of what it means to be both flesh and spirit (Luke 24:36-37, 42-43)

But in our current scene, until these seven plagues are poured out from the seven bowls, God’s glory and power are being manifested in a way that no one can approach Him in His temple. It seems that with this final act of judgment, God’s power is manifested in a manner beyond even what is normal for heaven.

The Greek word translated were finished is “teleo” which is the same word translated in Revelation 15:1 as “is finished” in the phrase “because in [the seven plagues] the wrath of God is finished.” This chapter begins and ends with a declaration that the history of the fallen world under the tyrannical reign of Satan is coming to an end. He and all who follow him will be judged. The beast and false prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire and Satan will be put in prison for a thousand years (Revelation 19:20-21, 20:1-3).

The answer to the cosmic question “Who has the right to reign?” is being answered decisively. Now Jesus will expel every rival, stripping away illusions of those who oppose Him and ushering in the moment when the kingdoms of this world become “the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15).

For believers, this scene is both sobering and hope-filled. Sobering, because it reminds us that the earth will fill with evil prior to the final redemption through judgment. Hope-filled, because, after this fiery purification, the path is cleared for the fullness of Christ’s reign and the joy of His redeemed people.

Believers are invited to live now in alignment with that coming reality. Revelation invites every believer to live a victorious life by being an overcomer. As Jesus promises, to all who overcome as He overcame, He will give the immense reward to share in His inheritance (Revelation 3:21, 21:7). Everyone loves to win, and everyone can win. To win at life is to walk in faithfulness, setting aside self, listening to the Spirit and walking in the good works God has prepared for each one of us (James 1:21, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 2:10).