Revelation 15 6

Revelation 15:6 kjv

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.

Revelation 15:6 nkjv

And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.

Revelation 15:6 niv

Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.

Revelation 15:6 esv

and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests.

Revelation 15:6 nlt

The seven angels who were holding the seven plagues came out of the Temple. They were clothed in spotless white linen with gold sashes across their chests.

Revelation 15 verses

Revelation 15 6 Meaning

Revelation 15:6 describes the emergence of seven angels from the heavenly temple, immediately prior to the outpouring of God's final seven judgments. Their appearance is highly symbolic: they are agents of divine justice, dressed in priestly and royal garments of pure, bright linen and golden sashes around their chests, signifying their holiness, authority, purity, and readiness for sacred service in executing God's righteous and conclusive wrath upon the earth.

Revelation 15 6 Context

Revelation 15:6 is nestled within Chapter 15, which serves as a powerful transitional and preparatory scene for the final and ultimate series of judgments, the seven bowl plagues. Verses 1-4 establish the overwhelming righteousness and justice of God and the Lamb, with those who have triumphed over the Beast singing praises on the sea of glass. This celebratory interlude precedes the severity of the coming wrath. Verse 5 sets the immediate scene for verse 6, indicating that the "temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened." This signifies that the final judgments issue directly from the very presence and divine decrees of God, as the "testimony" refers to the Law and covenant housed in the ark, underpinning God's righteous legal basis for judgment. Historically, John’s audience, facing Roman persecution and idol worship, would find profound meaning in God’s heavenly temple being the true seat of power, in contrast to the earthly temples and deities, particularly the Roman imperial cult that claimed ultimate authority. The opening of the heavenly temple underscores God's sovereign control over history and His ultimate justice against all forms of unrighteousness and rebellion.

Revelation 15 6 Word analysis

• and (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding one, signifying a progression in the heavenly vision.
• the seven angels (οἱ ἑπτὰ ἄγγελοι - hoi hepta angeloi):
  • angels (ἄγγελοι - angeloi): Heavenly beings serving as divine messengers and agents. Their role is to execute God's will.
  • seven (ἑπτὰ - hepta): A recurring number in Revelation, consistently symbolizing completeness, perfection, and divine fullness. Here, it denotes the full and final contingent of angels designated for this specific task of judgment.
• who had the seven plagues (οἱ ἔχοντες τὰς ἑπτὰ πληγὰς - hoi echontes tas hepta plēgas):
  • plagues (πληγὰς - plēgas): Signifies a striking, blow, or scourge; here, it refers to divine judgments and manifestations of God's wrath. This phrase explicitly states their appointed function and the terrible cargo they bear—the final bowls of God's indignation.
• came out of (ἐξῆλθον ἐκ - exēlthon ek): "came forth from." This verb implies a direct procession from a source with a specific mission or commissioning. It highlights the divine origin of their task.
• the temple (τοῦ ναοῦ - tou naou): This refers specifically to the inner sanctuary of God's dwelling, the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God in heaven, not just the broader temple precinct (hieron). Its opening signifies direct divine command and validates the holiness and righteousness of the impending judgments. It reinforces that these judgments are not random but part of God's righteous and just decree from His holy dwelling.
• clothed in (ἐνδεδυμένοι - endedymenoi): Describes their state of being attired. This is an intentional dressing, symbolic of their role and nature.
• pure, bright linen (λίνον καθαρὸν λαμπρόν - linon katharon lampron):
  • linen (λίνον - linon): Traditionally worn by priests (Exod 28; Lev 16) and angels (Ezek 9; Dan 10), symbolizing purity and sacred service.
  • pure (καθαρὸν - katharon): Denotes absolute moral and ceremonial cleanliness, unstained and undefiled. This emphasizes the impeccable righteousness of those executing God's wrath; there is no corruption or unholiness in God's judgment.
  • bright (λαμπρόν - lampron): Signifies shining, radiant, glorious. It points to divine glory, majesty, and brilliance, suggesting the purity and justice of God's wrath are evident and unblemished.
• and girded with (καὶ περιεζωσμένοι - kai periezōsmenoi): Indicates that they had fastened sashes, signifying readiness for action and service, but also an attire that conveys status.
• around their chests (περὶ τὰ στήθη - peri ta stēthē): Unlike a servant's belt around the waist, a girdle around the chest (or "paps") is a symbol of dignity, authority, and royalty. This specific placement directly echoes the description of Christ in Revelation 1:13, indicating these angels act with an authority and majesty akin to Christ Himself in His role as High Priest and King.
• golden sashes (ζώνας χρυσᾶς - zōnas chrysas):
  • sashes (ζώνας - zōnas): Girdles or belts.
  • golden (χρυσᾶς - chrysas): Gold consistently signifies divinity, royalty, ultimate value, enduring preciousness, and immutability. This confirms their divine appointment and royal authority in delivering these final judgments.

Revelation 15 6 Bonus section

The phrase "Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony" in Revelation 15:5, preceding our verse, is significant. The "tabernacle of the testimony" (referring to the Tent of Meeting where the Ark of the Covenant, containing the Ten Commandments—the testimony—was kept) ties the heavenly reality explicitly back to the Exodus wilderness tabernacle. This deepens the theological connection, reminding the reader of God's covenant with Israel, His consistent judgment against unfaithfulness (like the plagues in Egypt), and His holy presence dwelling among His people. Thus, the judgments proceeding from this specific heavenly temple imagery are directly rooted in God's historical interaction with humanity and His covenantal righteousness, reinforcing that these plagues are a fulfillment of His enduring decrees against sin and rebellion.

Revelation 15 6 Commentary

Revelation 15:6 is a pivotal verse that transitions from the vision of heavenly triumph to the onset of the final outpouring of God's wrath. The seven angels, precise in number, signify the absolute completeness and divine intent of the judgments they bear. Their emergence "out of the temple" stresses the divine origin and holy sanction of their mission; these are not arbitrary punishments but flow directly from God's righteous character and sovereign will, in response to human rebellion as revealed by the "testimony" within the temple. Their attire of "pure, bright linen" underscores the inherent righteousness and spotlessness of God’s judgments; there is no malice or imperfection in divine justice, only holy recompense. The "golden sashes around their chests" elevate these angels beyond mere messengers, imbuing them with the high dignity and authority akin to royalty or high priests. This sartorial detail deliberately mirrors Christ's own depiction in Revelation 1:13, reinforcing that these angels are acting directly under His and God's sovereign command and with a portion of that divine authority. They are holy instruments for a holy, though terrifying, work, commissioned to bring God's final, deserved, and perfect judgment upon a rebellious world.