What does Revelation 15:8 mean?

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. Revelation 15:8

Explanation

[Revelation 15:8] speaks of a significant moment in the narrative of the Book of Revelation, which is a part of the New Testament. In this verse, the “temple” refers to the dwelling place of God or the heavenly sanctuary. The “smoke,” emanating from God’s glory and power, fills the temple following the outpouring of the seven last plagues by the seven angels. The smoke signifies the presence and the overwhelming majesty of God, to the point where no one can enter the temple. This can be interpreted as a dramatic representation of God’s holiness and the serious nature of His judgments. The inability for anyone to enter indicates that the time for intercession or mercy may have passed, and God’s final judgments are about to take place.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by John, traditionally identified as John the Apostle, while he was in exile on the island of Patmos, around 95 AD during the reign of Emperor Domitian. The historical context is one of persecution for the early Christians, who were often oppressed by the Roman Empire. Revelation uses apocalyptic language and imagery to convey messages of hope, judgment, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. The audience of the time, familiar with metaphorical and symbolic language, would have understood these visions as both immediate encouragement and prophecies about God’s eventual intervention in human affairs.

Theological Insights

In Christian theology, this verse underscores the sovereignty and righteousness of God in dispensing judgment. It aligns with the concept that there is an endpoint to God’s patience and a time when judgment becomes inevitable. Different theological viewpoints might approach this verse in varying ways:

• Dispensationalism might interpret this as a literal event yet to occur during the end times.
• Preterism may view this as symbolically representing events that occurred in the past, particularly the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.
• Historicism could suggest this represents a period in church history when a corrupt system (often identified with the Papacy) prevented true access to God.
• Idealism sees this as an ongoing spiritual truth about the nature of God’s judgment rather than a specific historical event.
• Futurism would interpret this as a future event that will happen during the Great Tribulation period before the Second Coming of Christ.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers to lead a righteous life, mindful of the impending final judgment. It highlights the importance of reverence for God’s holiness and suggests that individuals should take the opportunity for repentance and reconciliation with God seriously, as there may come a time when it is no longer available. It also encourages Christians to have perseverance and faith, trusting in the ultimate justice and righteousness of God’s plan.

Cross-References

• 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.”
• Exodus 40:34-35: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
• Isaiah 6:4: “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”
• Revelation 16:1: “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”

Language Study

The original Greek language provides deeper insight into key words from this verse:

• Temple (ναός, naos): Often used to refer to the inner sanctuary or the Holy of Holies, not just any temple structure.
• Smoke (καπνὸς, kapnos): Can symbolize the presence of God, as well as His unapproachable glory and wrath.
• Glory (δόξης, doxēs): Often associated with brightness, radiance, and the manifestation of God’s splendor.
• Power (δυνάμεως, dynameōs): Refers to strength, ability, or might, especially in the divine sense.
• Plagues (πληγῶν, plēgōn): The term suggests “strikes” or “blows,” indicating the severity of the judgments.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This imagery of smoke filling the temple is reminiscent of other ancient religious traditions where smoke, incense, and cloud often represented the presence of a deity or divine favor. For instance, in Ancient Near Eastern cultures, gods were often believed to manifest in storm clouds or smoke. The Hebrew Bible also describes visions of God accompanied by smoke, emphasizing His holiness and majesty, and the need for people to maintain purity and respect.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse is symbolic and theological rather than scientific, modern science could bring out interesting correlations. For instance, the phenomenon of smoke filling a space is something that can be explained by physics, particularly fluid dynamics. However, in the biblical context, the smoke’s source is supernatural, indicating an event transcending physical explanation, which intersects with the concept of miracles that science generally does not address.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentators have provided insights on Revelation 15:8:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes that the sanctuary’s filling with smoke indicates the “greatness and majesty of God” and the solemnity of his judgments.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests that the smoke represents God’s glory as unapproachable until His judgments on the Antichrist are finished.
• Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible views this as the pause before the execution of judgments signified by the seven vials of wrath, stressing the idea that the time for intercession is over.
• The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary often associates the verse with the cessation of Christ’s intercessory ministry in the heavenly sanctuary shortly before His return.