Revelation 15:8

KJV

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the temple {G3485} was filled {G1072} with smoke {G2586} from {G1537} the glory {G1391} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} from {G1537} his {G846} power {G1411}; and {G2532} no man {G3762} was able {G1410} to enter {G1525} into {G1519} the temple {G3485}, till {G891} the seven {G2033} plagues {G4127} of the seven {G2033} angels {G32} were fulfilled {G5055}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the sanctuary was filled with smoke from God’s Sh’khinah, that is, from his power; and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels had accomplished their purpose.

Berean Standard Bible

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

American Standard Version

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and none was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 15:8 vividly portrays a climactic moment in John's apocalyptic vision, immediately preceding the outpouring of God's final judgments. The temple, a symbol of God's dwelling and presence, is supernaturally filled with smoke emanating from His overwhelming glory and power, rendering it inaccessible. This dramatic scene underscores the absolute holiness and sovereign authority of God, signaling that the time for intercession has ceased and the period for His righteous wrath, manifested through the seven last plagues, has fully arrived and must be accomplished.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful culmination of the prelude to the seven bowl judgments, detailed in [Revelation chapter 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath"). Immediately prior to this, John describes a "sea of glass mingled with fire" and the triumphant song of those who had overcome the Beast and his image ([Revelation 15:2-4](/revelation/15-2-4 "Revelation 15:2-4 - The Song of Moses and the Lamb")). The vision then shifts to the heavenly temple, from which the seven angels emerge, dressed in pure, white linen, holding the seven golden bowls filled with God's wrath ([Revelation 15:5-7](/revelation/15-5-7 "Revelation 15:5-7 - The Seven Angels with the Bowls")). The filling of the temple with smoke and the inability to enter it in [Revelation 15:8](/revelation/15-8 "Revelation 15:8 - The Temple Filled with Smoke") thus acts as a divine closure, signifying that the time for mercy and delay has ended, and the execution of God's final, unmitigated judgments is imminent.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the temple filled with smoke from God's glory draws heavily from Old Testament theophanies and temple dedications. In ancient Israelite worship, the **Tabernacle** and later **Solomon's Temple** were considered the dwelling place of God. When the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, Moses was unable to enter ([Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34-35 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle")), and similarly, at the dedication of Solomon's Temple, a cloud (often associated with smoke or thick darkness) filled the house of the Lord, preventing the priests from ministering ([1_kings/8-10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Cloud Fills the Temple")). This smoke or cloud symbolized God's overwhelming, unapproachable holiness, His majestic presence, and often, His impending judgment or a significant divine act. The concept of a heavenly temple, mirroring the earthly one, was a common Jewish understanding, representing the true seat of God's presence and power.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it emphasizes God's **unapproachable holiness and overwhelming power**. The smoke, emanating from His "glory" and "power," renders the temple inaccessible, underscoring His transcendent nature and absolute sovereignty. Secondly, it highlights the **inevitability and finality of divine judgment**. The cessation of access to the temple implies that the period for intercession and repentance is over, and God's righteous wrath against human rebellion is about to be poured out without restraint. This aligns with the broader theme of God's justice being fully executed against a rebellious world, as seen in the preceding trumpet and seal judgments and the subsequent bowl judgments. Finally, the phrase "till the seven plagues... were fulfilled" reinforces the theme of God's **sovereign control and the meticulous fulfillment of His divine plan**. His judgments are not arbitrary but are part of a predetermined, precise, and complete unfolding of His will, leading to the ultimate establishment of His kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **filled (Greek, _gemízō'_):** This verb, meaning "to fill entirely," indicates a complete saturation. The temple was not merely partially covered but wholly permeated by the smoke, signifying the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of God's glory and power. This complete filling is what renders the temple inaccessible, emphasizing the absolute presence of God.
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** Deriving from a word meaning "to seem, think, or appear," _dóxa_ here refers to the visible manifestation of God's inherent splendor, majesty, and reputation. It is the radiant effulgence of His divine being. In this context, it is not merely an attribute but an active, tangible force that fills the temple, evoking awe and demonstrating His divine essence.
* **power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This term signifies inherent strength, might, and ability. It denotes the active, dynamic force of God. Coupled with "glory," it emphasizes the irresistible and overwhelming nature of God's presence, which is not just majestic but also potently active, especially in the context of impending judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power;":** This clause describes a direct, divine manifestation within the heavenly temple. The "smoke" is a visible sign, not of destruction, but of the intense, consuming presence of God's glory and power. This imagery harks back to Old Testament theophanies where God's presence was often accompanied by smoke, fire, and cloud, signifying His holiness and majesty, often in the context of judgment or a significant divine act. The source of the smoke is explicitly stated as "the glory of God, and from his power," underscoring the divine origin and overwhelming nature of this manifestation.
* **"and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.":** This second clause reveals the immediate consequence of God's overwhelming presence: the temple becomes inaccessible. The phrase "no man was able to enter" signifies a cessation of access, implying that the time for intercession, mediation, or any human intervention has ceased. This closure is temporary, lasting "till the seven plagues... were fulfilled," indicating that divine judgment is now the sole focus. Once these final acts of wrath are completed, the temple's inaccessibility will presumably end, but for now, the door to mercy is shut, and the period of unmitigated judgment has begun.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs rich **Imagery** to convey its profound theological message. The "smoke" filling the temple is a powerful visual, evoking the awe-inspiring and terrifying presence of God, reminiscent of the smoke on Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19:18](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Smoking")). This imagery functions as **Symbolism**, where the smoke represents the unapproachable holiness, majesty, and righteous wrath of God. The **Allusion** to Old Testament temple narratives (e.g., [Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34-35 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle"); [1_kings/8-10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Cloud Fills the Temple")) reinforces the gravity of the moment, connecting John's vision to established patterns of divine revelation. The **Hyperbole** of "no man was able to enter" emphasizes the absolute and overwhelming nature of God's presence, making it clear that no human or angelic being could stand before such a manifestation of divine glory and power when judgment is about to be unleashed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 15:8 stands as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty, unapproachable holiness, and the terrifying reality of His righteous judgment. It underscores a crucial theological truth: there comes a point when divine patience gives way to unmitigated wrath. The inaccessibility of the temple signifies the cessation of intercession, indicating that the window for repentance has closed for those upon whom the plagues are to fall. This moment highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice, demonstrating that His plans for judgment are as certain and meticulously executed as His plans for salvation. It serves as a powerful testament to the fact that God is not to be trifled with; His holiness demands a response, and His power ensures the fulfillment of every decree.

* [Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34-35 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle")
* [1 Kings 8:10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Cloud Fills the Temple")
* [Isaiah 6:4](/isaiah/6-4 "Isaiah 6:4 - The Temple Filled with Smoke")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 15:8 calls believers to a profound sense of awe and reverence for God. It reminds us that our God is not merely a benevolent Father but also a holy and just Judge, whose glory and power are beyond human comprehension and resistance. This passage should deepen our appreciation for the grace we have received through Christ, for it is only through Him that we can approach a God whose unmediated presence can be terrifying in its holiness. For those who have embraced the Gospel, it reinforces the certainty of God's promises, both of salvation and of ultimate justice, encouraging steadfastness and perseverance in a world that often seems to mock divine authority. For those who have not yet surrendered to Christ, this verse serves as a solemn warning: there will be a day when the door of grace closes, and only judgment remains. It underscores the urgency of responding to God's invitation to repentance and faith today, while there is still time for intercession and mercy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the temple filled with smoke from God's glory and power impact your understanding of His character?**
* **What does the inability to enter the temple signify about the nature of God's final judgments, and how should this affect your daily walk with Him?**
* **Considering the finality suggested by this verse, what is your personal response to the urgency of the Gospel message?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "smoke" filling the temple in Revelation 15:8?**

Answer: The "smoke" in Revelation 15:8 is highly significant, drawing on rich Old Testament imagery. It symbolizes the overwhelming, unapproachable holiness and majesty of God, often in the context of a theophany (a visible manifestation of God). In passages like [Exodus 19:18](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Smoking") (Mount Sinai) and [1 Kings 8:10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Cloud Fills the Temple") (Solomon's Temple dedication), a cloud or smoke indicated God's presence, so intense that no one could enter or stand before Him. In [Revelation 15:8](/revelation/15-8 "Revelation 15:8 - The Temple Filled with Smoke"), this smoke, emanating from God's "glory" and "power," signifies that the time for mercy and intercession has ended, and the era of divine judgment is about to commence, unhindered and irresistible.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 15:8, with its portrayal of an unapproachable God whose temple is filled with the smoke of His glory and power, leading to unmitigated judgment, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. While the verse signals a time when "no man was able to enter into the temple," Christ Himself is the ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus tore the veil of the temple ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), granting believers direct access to God's presence, not through human merit or ritual, but through His blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). Furthermore, while this verse depicts God as an unapproachable Judge, Christ is revealed as the one to whom all judgment has been committed ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). He is the Lamb who stands in the midst of the throne ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb on the Throne")), both the recipient of worship and the executor of divine wrath. Thus, the very finality and unapproachability of God's judgment highlighted in [Revelation 15:8](/revelation/15-8 "Revelation 15:8 - The Temple Filled with Smoke") serve to magnify the grace found in Christ, who, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice, provides the only means of escape from this impending wrath and offers eternal access into the presence of God.

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

Isaiah 6:4

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

1 Kings 8:10

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place], that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

1 Kings 8:11

So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Exodus 40:34

¶ Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35

And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

2 Chronicles 5:13

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers [were] as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up [their] voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: that [then] the house was filled with a cloud, [even] the house of the LORD;

2 Chronicles 5:14

So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.