Revelation 15:6

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.

And {G2532} the seven {G2033} angels {G32} came {G1831} out of {G1537} the temple {G3485}, having {G2192} the seven {G2033} plagues {G4127}, clothed {G1746} in pure {G2513} and {G2532} white {G2986} linen {G3043}, and {G2532} having their breasts {G4738} girded {G4024} with {G4012} golden {G5552} girdles {G2223}.

and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean bright linen and had gold belts around their chests.

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.

and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed withprecious stone, pure and bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.

Revelation 15:6 introduces the agents of God's final judgments, depicting them with profound symbolic imagery. This verse is part of a crucial transitional chapter in the Book of Revelation, setting the stage for the pouring out of God's wrath upon the earth.

Context

This verse immediately follows a scene of victory and worship by those who had overcome the beast, standing on the sea of glass in the heavenly temple. Chapter 15 serves as an interlude, preparing for the seven bowl judgments described in the next chapter. The "seven angels" mentioned here are identified in Revelation 15:1 as those "having the seven last plagues." Their emergence "out of the temple" signifies a direct commission from God's holy presence, emphasizing that these judgments are divinely ordained and executed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission and Authority: The angels emerge from the heavenly temple, the very dwelling place of God, signifying that their mission to deliver the plagues is a direct, holy, and undeniable command from the Almighty. This underscores the divine origin and legitimacy of the impending judgments.
  • Purity and Righteousness: The angels are "clothed in pure and white linen." This attire universally symbolizes purity, holiness, and righteousness throughout Scripture. It communicates that even in judgment, God's actions are just and untainted, executed by agents who reflect His perfect character. This imagery is often associated with divine beings and the saints, as seen in Revelation 19:8 where the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
  • Readiness and Majesty: "Having their breasts girded with golden girdles" speaks to both their readiness for action and their high status. Girdles were used to secure garments for activity, while gold emphasizes majesty, authority, and divine glory. This attire is reminiscent of priestly or royal garments, indicating their sacred and sovereign function.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "pure and white linen" (Greek: lithon katharon kai lampron) conveys not just cleanliness but a brilliant, radiant purity. This highlights the absolute righteousness of God's judgment, which is not arbitrary but flows from His holy nature. The "golden girdles" (Greek: zonas chrysas) are significant; a girdle typically prepared one for service or a journey, and the material being gold elevates it to a symbol of divine authority and glory, similar to the description of the Son of Man in Revelation 1:13.

Practical Application

Revelation 15:6 reminds believers that God is sovereign over all events, including the most severe judgments. These judgments are not chaotic but are meticulously planned and executed by holy agents directly from His presence. It underscores that God's justice is always righteous and pure, even when it involves wrath. For those living today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of accountability and the ultimate triumph of God's perfect will. It calls for reverence for a God who is both loving and just, and who will bring all things to a righteous conclusion.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 1:13

    And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

  • Revelation 15:1

    ¶ And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

  • Ezekiel 44:17

    ¶ And it shall come to pass, [that] when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

  • Ezekiel 44:18

    They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird [themselves] with any thing that causeth sweat.

  • Exodus 28:5

    And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

  • Exodus 28:8

    And the curious girdle of the ephod, which [is] upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; [even of] gold, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

  • Revelation 14:15

    And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

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