Apocalypse Revealed #670
670. 15:6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues. This symbolizes a preparation by the Lord for influx from the inmost of heaven into the church, to expose its evils and falsities in their entirety and so to separate evil people from the good.
That the seven angels mean the Lord may be seen in no. 657 above. That the seven plagues symbolize all evils and falsities viewed in their entirety may also be seen in no. 657 above. The temple here means the inmost of heaven where the Word and Ten Commandments reside, as may be seen just above in no. 669. The angels' coming out of the temple symbolizes a preparation for influx because they came out to receive bowls and then pour out the plagues in the bowls onto the earth, onto the sea, onto the rivers and springs, onto the sun, upon the throne of the beast, and into the air, and these events symbolize an influx into the church in order to expose its evils and falsities. We will see in the next chapter that this was done to separate the evil from the good.
Revelation 15
1
I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished.
2
I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
3
They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations.
4
Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed."
5
After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
6
The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts.
7
One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
8
The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished.
