6 Out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean, bright linen, with gold sashes wrapped around their chests.
“dressed in clean, bright linen, with gold sashes wrapped around their chests.” The passage points out that even though these angels are used to bring destruction to the world for the sins of men, they are described as righteous angels in God’s sight. That is because righteous judgment is being poured out.
7 One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven gold bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.
For more study on “the four living creatures” click here: Revelation (4:6-10)
The bowls are the plagues that are God’s wrath on sin.
8 Then the sanctuary was filled with smoke from God’s glory and from His power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
This verse brings to mind 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 which says, When Solomon finished praying, fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 The priests were not able to enter the LORD’s temple because the glory of the LORD filled the temple of the LORD. 3 All the Israelites were watching when the fire descended and the glory of the LORD came on the temple. They bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground. They worshiped and praised the LORD: For He is good, for His faithful love endures forever.
The Living God is so powerful that not even the host of heaven can stand in His presence when He is displaying His power. Most likely, the reason why He would not allow anyone to enter His presence at the time, besides from what I first mentioned in the beginning, was that of the seriousness in dealing with human sin.
Insight:
God takes one’s sin very seriously which should make us rethink when we are tempted to depart from the LORD’s path.
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