What does Revelation 15:5 mean?

And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: Revelation 15:5

Explanation

Revelation 15:5 presents a vision that the writer, traditionally believed to be the apostle John, receives of the heavenly realm. It says, “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:”. In this context, ‘temple’ refers to the dwelling place of God, while ‘tabernacle of the testimony’ alludes to the sacred tent that housed the Ark of the Covenant for the Israelites during their desert sojourn after the Exodus. The Ark contained the two tablets of the testimony—the Ten Commandments. The imagery of the heavenly temple being ‘opened’ suggests that something significant and divine is about to be revealed or enacted, in this case, likely associated with judgment, given the context of the surrounding passages.

Historical Context

Revelation was written during a time when Christians were facing persecution under Roman rule. Many scholars date the book to the late first century, around 95 AD, which would be during the reign of Emperor Domitian. The language and imagery used are apocalyptic, a literary style that was common in Jewish and Christian texts and that employed symbols, visions, and dramatic events to convey messages of hope and divine intervention in times of crisis.

Theological Insights

The opening of the heavenly temple is viewed in varying ways among theologians. Dispensational theologians often interpret it as a literal event preceding the final judgments and the second coming of Christ. In contrast, amillennialists and postmillennialists may see this as a symbolic representation of God’s ultimate sovereignty and the unveiling of His divine plan for the world. The moment signifies that God’s promises and the truths that have been safeguarded (the ‘testimony’) are now manifest in His actions.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, the opening of the temple in heaven can represent a moment of revelation or truth in one’s own life, where deeper understanding of divine principles becomes apparent. For modern believers, it can serve as a reminder that God’s plans are often beyond human comprehension, yet they unfold according to His perfect timing. It also encourages believers to trust in God’s ultimate justice and righteousness.

Cross-References

• Exodus 25:16: “And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.”
• Exodus 40:21: “And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.”
• Revelation 11:19: “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

Language Study

The phrase “temple of the tabernacle of the testimony” comes from the Greek words:

• ἁγίου (hagiou), often translated as “temple,” which denotes a sacred place.
• σκηνὴς (skēnēs), translating to “tabernacle,” used here to mean a dwelling place, particularly the portable sanctuary in the wilderness.
• μαρτυρίου (martyriou), which refers to the “testimony” or “witness,” in this context, likely referring to the commandments or divine decrees that serve as a testimony to God’s covenant with humanity.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of a sacred space where the divine resides appears in various ancient religions. For example, in ancient Egypt, temples served as homes for the gods; while in ancient Greece, temples were considered the dwelling places of deities like Athena or Zeus. The Hebrew tabernacle and temple held a somewhat similar function as the place where God’s presence resided and where the people would come to meet with Him, though there is a strong distinction in monotheistic worship and the avoidance of idolatry.

Scientific Perspectives

The imagery presented in Revelation 15:5 aligns with religious symbolism rather than scientific observation. As such, the verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings but rather exists within the realm of faith and spiritual belief systems. Its apocalyptic and vision-centric content tends to resist empirical inquiry, focusing instead on theological significance.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer a range of interpretations of Revelation 15:5:

• Matthew Henry interprets the verse as part of the preparations for the seven last plagues, indicating that the decrees of God are just and revealed from the sanctuary.
• The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests that the opening of the temple signifies God’s readiness to vindicate His people and punish their persecutors.
• Some modern commentaries, such as the New International Commentary on the New Testament, emphasize the religious and liturgical significance of the temple imagery as it relates to the divine character and historical continuity of God’s covenants.