Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 15:5

"And after these things I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:" — Revelation 15:5 (ASV)

A second and still more impressive scene follows. The door to the temple in heaven is again opened (cf. 11:19), and the seven angels dressed in white and gold come out of the temple. In a dignified manner, one of the living creatures gives a bowl to each of the seven messengers. The bowls (GK 5786) are the vessels used in the temple ministry, especially for offerings and incense (5:8). It was probably a ritual bowl used for collecting the blood of the sacrifices (Exodus 27:3). Golden bowls seem to be always associated with the temple (e.g, 1 Kings 1:50; 2 Kings 12:13; 2 Kings 25:15).

The “smoke” (GK 2837) that filled the temple refers to the Shekinah cloud first associated with the tabernacle and then with the temple . It symbolizes God’s special presence and the One who is the source of the judgments (Exodus 40:34ff.; 1 Kings 8:10–11; Ezekiel 11:23; Ezekiel 44:4). His awesome presence in the temple until the plagues are finished (16:17) prohibits even angels from entering it (cf. Isaiah 6:4; Habakkuk 2:20).