Angelic Agencies of Retribution
W. Burkitt, M. A. Revelation 15:5-6 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:… Note, 1. The instruments employed by God for executing His wrath upon sinners — angels, seven angels: not that He needs them, but He is pleased to make use of them, and they are but instruments in His hand, who receive all their efficacy from the hand that uses them. 2. From whence these seven angels come, namely, out of the temple, more immediately from the presence of God, implying that they came forth to execute vengeance by God's special directions, and consequently that the work was very well pleasing unto God which they went about. 3. How they are furnished, having seven plagues — namely, to inflict upon the idolatrous enemies of the Church. 4. In and after what manner these angels were apparelled and appeared. (1) They were clothed in pure and white linen, to denote the holiness of their persons, as also the holiness of that work which they had then in hand. (2) This clothing of theirs was girded to them, expressing thereby their great readiness for, and their great alacrity in, their work. (3) The girdle wherewith they were girded was a golden girdle, exactly answering the habit of the high priest, when he entered into the holy of holies, to inquire of God, or came out with an answer from God. 5. From the whole learn, that when the Lord comes to pull down Babylon, as well as to build up Sion, He will appear in glory; the angels are God's special ministers; when they go forth to pour out the vials of His wrath upon Babylon, they appear gloriously apparelled, glittering like the high priest, and girded with golden girdles. (W. Burkitt, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: WEB: After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.