Revelation 15:5 - Exposition

And after that I looked, and, behold; and after these things 1 saw. The characteristic commencement of a new vision or portion of a vision (see on Revelation 4:1 , etc.). The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. The tabernacle had its counterpart in heaven ( Hebrews 8:5 ). In Exodus 25:16 , Exodus 25:21 we have the reason of the title "tabernacle of the testimony"—a name which is common in the Bible (see Exodus 38:21 ; Numbers 1:50 , Numbers 1:53 ; Numbers 9:15 ; Numbers 10:11 ). The "temple" is the ναός , the inner shrine, the holy of holies which contained the ark of the testimony, which in Revelation 11:1 .9 is seen in connection with the judgments of God. Thence now proceed the angels bearing the plagues for men.