REV 15

Revelation 15:6

WEB

The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their chests.

BSB

And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean and bright linen and girded with golden sashes around their chests.

KJV

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

Matthew Henry

Verses 5–8

Revelation 15:5–8

Observe, I. How these angels appeared - coming out of heaven to execute their commission: The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened, Rev 15:5. Here is an allusion to the holiest of all the tabernacle and temple, where was the mercy-seat, covering the ark of the testimony, where the high priest made intercession, and God communed with his people, and heard their prayers. Now by this, as it is here mentioned, we may understand, 1. That, in the judgments God was now about to execute upon the antichristian interest, he was fulfilling the prophecies and promises of his word and covenant, which were there always before him, and of which he was ever mindful. 2. That in this work he was answering the prayers of the people, which were offered to him by their great high priest. 3. That he was herein avenging the quarrel of his own Son, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose offices and authority had been usurped, his name dishonoured, and the great designs of his death opposed, by antichrist and his adherents. 4. That he was opening a wider door of liberty for his people to worship him in numerous solemn assemblies, without the fear of their enemies.

II. How they were equipped and prepared for their work. Observe, 1. Their array: They were clothed with pure and white linen, and had their breasts girded with golden girdles, Rev 15:6. This was the habit of the high priests when they went in to enquire of God, and came out with an answer from him. This showed that these angels were acting in all things under the divine appointment and direction, and that they were going to prepare a sacrifice to the Lord, called the supper of the great God, Rev 19:17. The angels are the ministers of divine justice, and they do every thing in a pure and holy manner. 2. Their artillery, what it was, and whence they received it; their artillery, by which they were to do this great execution, was seven vials filled with the wrath of God; they were armed with the wrath of God against his enemies. The meanest creature, when it comes armed with the anger of God, will be too hard for any man in the world; but much more an angel of God. This wrath of God was not to be poured out all at once, but was divided into seven parts, which should successively fall upon the antichristian party. Now from whom did they receive these vials? From one of the four living creatures, one of the ministers of the true church, that is, in answer to the prayers of the ministers and people of God, and to avenge their cause, in which the angels are willingly employed.

III. The impressions these things made upon all who stood near the temple: they were all, as it were, wrapt up in clouds of smoke, which filled the temple, from the glorious and powerful presence of God; so that no man was able to enter into the temple, till the work was finished. The interests of antichrist were so interwoven with the civil interests of the nations that he could not be destroyed without giving a great shock to all the world; and the people of God would have but little rest and leisure to assemble themselves before him, while this great work was a doing. For the present, their sabbaths would be interrupted, ordinances of public worship intermitted, and all thrown into a general confusion. God himself was now preaching to the church and to all the world, by terrible things in righteousness; but, when this work was done, then the churches would have rest, the temple would be opened, and the solemn assemblies gathered, edified, and multiplied. The greatest deliverances of the church are brought about by awful and astonishing steps of Providence.

Cross-references: Rev 15:5 · Rev 15:6 · Rev 19:17

Greek interlinear

χρυσᾶςchrusasadjective · acc · plur · fem

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet

Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

G1831

ἐξέρχομαιexérchomai/ex-er'-khom-ahee/

come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad

Derivation: from G1537 and G2064;

to issue (literally or figuratively)

KJV: come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.

See also: G1537, G2064.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G2033

ἑπτάheptá/hep-tah'/

seven

Derivation: a primary number;

seven

KJV: seven.

G32

ἄγγελοςángelos/ang'-el-os/

angel, messenger

Derivation: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from G71;

compare G34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

KJV: angel, messenger.

See also: G71, G34.

G2192

ἔχωéchō/ekh'-o/

be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use

, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)

Derivation: a primary verb;

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)

KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.

G4127

πληγήplēgḗ/play-gay'/

plague, stripe, wound(-ed)

Derivation: from G4141;

a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity

KJV: plague, stripe, wound(-ed).

See also: G4141.

G1537

ἐκek/ek/

after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out)

or ἐξ

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause;

literal or figurative; direct or remote)

KJV: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out).

Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

G3485

ναόςnaós/nah-os'/

shrine, temple

Derivation: from a primary ναίω (to dwell);

a fane, shrine, temple

KJV: shrine, temple.

Compare G2411.

See also: G2411.

G1746

ἐνδύωendýō/en-doo'-o/

array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on

Derivation: from G1722 and G1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment);

to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)

KJV: array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.

See also: G1722, G1416.

G3043

λίνονlínon/lee'-non/

linen

Derivation: probably a primary word;

flax, i.e. (by implication) "linen"

KJV: linen.

G2513

καθαρόςkatharós/kath-ar-os'/

clean, clear, pure

Derivation: of uncertain affinity;

clean (literally or figuratively)

KJV: clean, clear, pure.

G2986

λαμπρόςlamprós/lam-pros'/

bright, clear, gay, goodly, gorgeous, white

Derivation: from the same as G2985;

radiant; by analogy, limpid; figuratively, magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance)

KJV: bright, clear, gay, goodly, gorgeous, white.

See also: G2985.

G4024

περιζώννυμιperizṓnnymi/per-id-zone'-noo-mee/

gird (about, self)

Derivation: from G4012 and G2224;

to gird all around, i.e. (middle voice or passive) to fasten on one's belt (literally or figuratively)

KJV: gird (about, self).

See also: G4012, G2224.

G4012

περίperí/per-ee'/

(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with

Derivation: from the base of G4008;

properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)

KJV: (there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with.

In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).

See also: G4008.

G4738

στῆθοςstēthos/stay'-thos/

breast

Derivation: from G2476 (as standing prominently);

the (entire external) bosom, i.e. chest

KJV: breast.

See also: G2476.

G2223

ζώνηzṓnē/dzo'-nay/

girdle, purse

Derivation: probably akin to the base of G2218;

a belt; by implication, a pocket

KJV: girdle, purse.

See also: G2218.

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