The Smoke Filled Temple of God Revelation 15:8

As John continued to share concerning the events during the tribulation, He wrote about the antichrist, the false prophets and angels who were involved in the reaping of the harvest of believers who received the Lord Jesus during that time. John wrote, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, you King of saints”, and John asked, “Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name?” and answered, “for you only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for your judgments are made manifest. 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 lives for ever and ever”, and in chapter fifteen and verse eight of Revelation John saw how “the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God” where we read:

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 verse reads, “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power;” John began with the words, “and the temple” which means “sacred edifice or sanctuary consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies” “was filled” or “full and overflowing” “with smoke” which means “smoke or a vapor like from a burning” “from the glory” or “out and away from the splendor, brightness, honor and praise” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and from his power” or “and out and away from God's strength, ability, might and authority”. John watched as God's “temple” was “filled with smoke” which came from the “honor, praise, splendor, brightness, strength, ability and might” of God.

The verse goes on to say, “and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” John added the words, “and no man” which means “and not one person whether male or female” “was able” or “capable, powerful and strong enough” “to enter” which means “to go” “into the temple” which refers to “God's sacred edifice or sanctuary consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies”, “till the seven plagues” or “until the seven calamities, heavy afflictions and wounds” “of the seven angels” which means “from the seven messengers, envoys and ones sent” “were fulfilled” or “were accomplished, performed, finished and expired”. John shared how no one was allowed into God's “temple” until the “seven angels” had completed the pouring out of their vials.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we can imagine the wave of “smoke” which proceeded from God's “temple” in heaven. God's “glory and power” were the source of this impeding “smoke”, and it did not cease until the completion of the judgment from the “seven bowls” carried by the “seven angels”. God's desire is not to keep people from Him, but rather to draw them near to Him through a relationship with His Son Jesus. Those who oppose Him shall receive the judgment from the “bowls”, but those who yield to Jesus for forgiveness of their sins are promised “everlasting life” with God.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see the angels instructed to “Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.