Revelation 15:6

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 15:6 vividly portrays the seven angels commissioned by God to execute the final plagues, emerging from the heavenly temple as agents of divine judgment. Their attire—pure and white linen, girded with golden sashes—symbolizes their inherent holiness, the righteousness of their mission, and their readiness to unleash God's ultimate wrath upon the earth. This scene underscores the solemnity and divine authority behind the impending judgments, assuring that every act of God's justice is pure, deliberate, and perfectly aligned with His holy character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal interlude in the Book of Revelation, following the triumphant scene of the saints who have overcome the beast, standing on the [sea of glass](/revelation/15-2 "Revelation 15:2 - The Sea of Glass") and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb ([Revelation 15:3-4](/revelation/15-3-4 "Revelation 15:3-4 - Song of Moses and the Lamb")). Chapter 15 serves as a solemn prelude to the outpouring of the seven bowl judgments described in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowls of Wrath"). The angels' emergence "out of the temple" signifies a direct divine commission, emphasizing that these judgments are not random but are divinely ordained, emanating from the very throne room of God. This transition heightens the anticipation and gravity of the coming wrath, presenting it as the culmination of God's righteous indignation against sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of angels emerging from a temple, clothed in specific garments, resonates deeply with Old Testament priestly and prophetic traditions. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, temples were considered the dwelling places of deities, and rituals performed within them carried immense sacred weight. The Jewish Temple, in particular, was the locus of God's presence and the place where divine decrees were often revealed or initiated. The "linen" garments evoke the attire of the Levitical priests ([Exodus 28:39-42](/exodus/28-39-42 "Exodus 28:39-42 - Priestly Garments")), symbolizing purity and holiness required for service in God's presence. "Golden girdles" further emphasize majesty, authority, and divine glory, reminiscent of the high priest's attire or even the divine figures described in prophetic visions ([Daniel 10:5](/daniel/10-5 "Daniel 10:5 - Daniel's Vision of a Man in Linen")). This cultural understanding reinforces the angels' role as divinely appointed, holy agents carrying out a sacred, albeit terrifying, mission.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 15:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, illustrating that God is in absolute control, meticulously orchestrating the final acts of judgment against evil. The angels' emergence from the temple highlights the **Holiness and Righteousness of God's Justice**, indicating that even His wrath is pure and untainted by human imperfection or malice. Their attire—pure linen and golden girdles—reinforces the theme of **Divine Authority and Purity in Execution**, showing that God's agents reflect His own character. This scene also serves as a powerful reminder of the **Culmination of God's Plan**, as the "seven last plagues" mentioned in [Revelation 15:1](/revelation/15-1 "Revelation 15:1 - The Seven Last Plagues") bring to completion the divine wrath, leading ultimately to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel (Greek, _ángelos'_):** From the Greek word (probably derived from ἄγω; compare ἀγέλη) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor. In this context, _ángelos_ refers to celestial beings who serve as divine messengers and executors of God's will. Their role here is not merely to announce but to actively carry out the plagues, highlighting their function as agents of divine judgment.
* **Pure (Greek, _katharós'_):** Of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively). This word describes the linen worn by the angels, signifying not just physical cleanliness but a profound spiritual and moral purity. It underscores the unblemished nature of God's judgment and the holiness of those who execute it, ensuring that their actions are righteous and untainted.
* **Girdles (Greek, _zṓnē'_):** Probably akin to the base of ζυγός; a belt; by implication, a pocket. A girdle was an essential item of clothing in the ancient world, used to secure loose garments and prepare one for activity or service. Here, the "golden girdles" symbolize readiness for action, authority, and the high status of the angels. The material, gold, further elevates this symbol to represent divine glory and majesty, indicating their sacred and sovereign function in God's service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the seven angels came out of the temple":** This phrase establishes the divine origin and authority of the angels' mission. Their emergence from the "temple" (Greek: _naós_, referring to the inner sanctuary or dwelling place of God) signifies that their commission is directly from God's holy presence. It emphasizes that the impending judgments are not arbitrary but are divinely ordained, solemn, and legitimate acts of God's justice.
* **"having the seven plagues":** This clause explicitly identifies the purpose of these angels. They are the appointed bearers and executors of "the seven plagues," which are described in [Revelation 15:1](/revelation/15-1 "Revelation 15:1 - The Seven Last Plagues") as the "seven last plagues," signifying the culmination of God's wrath. This highlights the severity and finality of the judgments they are about to unleash upon the earth.
* **"clothed in pure and white linen":** This description of their attire is highly symbolic. "Linen" (Greek: _línon_) was often associated with purity and righteousness, especially in priestly garments. The addition of "pure" (Greek: _katharós_) and "white" (Greek: _lamprós_, meaning radiant or brilliant) emphasizes the absolute holiness and righteousness of the angels and, by extension, the divine judgments they are about to execute. Even in wrath, God's actions are just and untainted.
* **"and having their breasts girded with golden girdles":** This final detail speaks to both the angels' readiness and their exalted status. Girdles were used to secure garments for activity, indicating that the angels are prepared for their task. The "golden" (Greek: _chrýseos_) material signifies majesty, authority, and divine glory. This imagery is reminiscent of figures of high authority or divine beings, such as the Son of Man in [Revelation 1:13](/revelation/1-13 "Revelation 1:13 - Jesus, the Son of Man"), reinforcing the sacred and sovereign nature of their mission.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 15:6 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Imagery**. The "temple" symbolizes God's holy presence and the source of divine authority, from which all righteous judgment proceeds. The "seven angels" symbolize the instruments of God's perfect and complete judgment. Their clothing—"pure and white linen"—is powerful **Imagery** that symbolizes holiness, purity, and righteousness, suggesting that even God's wrath is executed with unblemished justice. The "golden girdles" further enhance this **Imagery**, symbolizing divine majesty, authority, and readiness for action. The entire scene creates a vivid mental picture, conveying the solemnity, purity, and overwhelming power of God's impending judgments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 15:6 serves as a profound theological statement about the nature of God's justice and sovereignty. It reveals that divine judgment is not chaotic or arbitrary, but a meticulously planned and righteously executed act emanating directly from God's holy presence. The purity of the angels' attire underscores the absolute moral integrity of God's actions, even when those actions involve severe wrath. This passage assures believers that God remains perfectly just and holy, even as He brings about the culmination of His plan for human history, demonstrating that His judgments are an extension of His righteous character, not a deviation from it.

* [Revelation 16:1](/revelation/16-1 "Revelation 16:1 - The Seven Bowls Poured Out"): This verse immediately follows, detailing the pouring out of the seven bowls of God's wrath, directly fulfilling the mission of the angels described in Revelation 15:6.
* [Revelation 19:8](/revelation/19-8 "Revelation 19:8 - The Bride's Fine Linen"): The "fine linen, clean and white" given to the bride of Christ symbolizes the righteous acts of the saints, paralleling the purity of the angels' garments and emphasizing the theme of righteousness throughout Revelation.
* [Revelation 1:13](/revelation/1-13 "Revelation 1:13 - Jesus with a Golden Girdle"): The description of the Son of Man with a "golden girdle" provides a direct parallel to the angels' attire, linking their authority and sacred function to the ultimate authority and priestly-kingly role of Christ Himself.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 15:6 calls us to a profound reverence for the holiness and justice of God. In a world that often dismisses divine judgment or struggles to reconcile it with God's love, this verse reminds us that God's wrath is not capricious but a holy, righteous, and necessary response to persistent sin and rebellion. The purity of the angels' attire assures us that even in judgment, God acts with perfect integrity and untainted justice. For believers, this should inspire both awe and comfort: awe at the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine accountability, and comfort in knowing that our God is utterly righteous and will ultimately set all things right. It compels us to live lives that reflect the purity and righteousness of God, understanding that His character demands a final reckoning with evil, while also deepening our gratitude for the grace that delivers us from such wrath.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of angels emerging from the temple, clothed in pure linen and golden girdles, shape your understanding of God's holiness and justice?**
* **What does the "seven last plagues" signify about the culmination of God's plan for human history, and how does this impact your perspective on current events?**
* **In what ways should the certainty of God's righteous judgment motivate believers to live lives of greater purity and obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why do the angels emerge specifically "out of the temple" in Revelation 15:6?**

Answer: The angels emerging "out of the temple" (Greek: _naós_) is highly significant, symbolizing that their mission to deliver the plagues is a direct, holy, and undeniable command from God Himself. The temple, in biblical understanding, is the dwelling place of God's presence, the very throne room from which divine decrees issue. This imagery underscores the divine origin and legitimacy of the impending judgments, emphasizing that they are not random acts but are divinely ordained, meticulously planned, and executed by agents commissioned from the epicenter of God's holiness and authority. It signifies that these are God's final, righteous acts of judgment, flowing directly from His unblemished character, as seen throughout the narrative of [Revelation 15](/revelation/15 "Revelation 15 - The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues").

**What is the symbolic meaning of the angels' clothing—"pure and white linen" and "golden girdles"?**

Answer: The angels' attire in [Revelation 15:6](/revelation/15-6 "Revelation 15:6 - The Angels of the Plagues") is deeply symbolic. "Pure and white linen" (Greek: _línon katharós kai lamprós_) universally symbolizes purity, holiness, and righteousness throughout Scripture. This communicates that even in judgment, God's actions are just, untainted, and 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](/revelation/19-8 "Revelation 19:8 - The Bride's Fine Linen") where the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. The "golden girdles" (Greek: _zṓnē chrýseos_) speak 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, sovereign, and prepared function in executing God's final judgments, much like the description of the Son of Man in [Revelation 1:13](/revelation/1-13 "Revelation 1:13 - Jesus Clothed with a Golden Girdle").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 15:6, while depicting angels as agents of judgment, profoundly points to Christ in its underlying themes of divine authority, purity, and ultimate justice. The angels' emergence from the temple, clothed in pure linen and golden girdles, mirrors the very attributes and roles of Jesus Christ. As the ultimate High Priest, Christ Himself is depicted in [Revelation 1:13](/revelation/1-13 "Revelation 1:13 - Jesus, the Son of Man") with a "golden girdle," signifying His supreme authority and readiness for divine service and judgment. He is the one through whom all judgment is committed ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - Jesus, the Judge")), and He is the "Lamb of God" whose sacrifice makes possible the very righteousness symbolized by the angels' pure linen. The holiness and untainted nature of the judgments unleashed by these angels reflect the perfect righteousness of Christ, who is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ Our High Priest")). Ultimately, the final plagues are part of God's plan to bring all things under the dominion of Christ, culminating in the establishment of His righteous kingdom, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.