Revelation 15:5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple — that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law — and it was opened.
Sometimes when we don’t pay close attention to what we are reading, we substitute a word for what is actually in the text of whatever we are reading. As I get older, and I am in a hurry, I do this with news headlines. I have to do a double take in order to get it right. Have you ever done this?
There appears to be two different temples portrayed in heaven, one that contains God’s Throne, and that is the emphasis, and one that is a copy of the earthly Temple that was central to Israel’s worship. This happens twice in this book, this direct reference to the tabernacle, or elements of the tabernacle like the ark of the covenant.
God’s throne was said to be in the Holy of Holies in the earthly tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem. Perhaps the author of our current text is using a zoom lens when he speaks of God’s throne, zooming in on the Holy of Holies. And then he zooms back out to speak as he does in our current text. But I haven’t figured out why He emphasizes these individual components when he does.
When God’s temple is mentioned, it is open. The author wants us to know that the way into His presence is open. And it is also open for His wrath against those who reject His grace to come out. And open door works both ways.
At this moment in our text we see the final seven angels with their seven plagues ready to be poured out on the world. At this moment, although the door is open, there is a sign hanging there, saying, “Not a good time to visit. Judgment is on the way. Come back when the plagues have finished.”
There isn’t really a sign. But if you saw the seven angels with their seven plagues exiting the temple, would you think it was a good time to visit? But the temple isn’t filled with the plagues. It is filled with the smoke that resulted from the glory of God and the power of God manifesting itself.
When God shows up, really shows up, people don’t just walk in and sit down. The consistent picture in Scripture is that when God shows up, people end up face down on the ground. They want to hide from His presence. They see His glory, and that is too much for them to handle.
Maybe the reason this text starts with the tabernacle is that the tabernacle contained the heavenly copy of the Covenant God gave to Moses. And now the stipulations of the covenant’s judgments are coming to fruition. God promised blessing and curse; people had the choice which they wanted to receive. Maybe now is the moment when the curses come upon the disobedience of humanity.
God has already executed judgement on the sins of humanity in Jesus. He bore our sins in His body on the Cross. But we must accept His payment on our behalf. That payment is forced on us. It isn’t like the vaccine mandates, take it or lose your job, stop shopping and eating out.
God won’t force Himself on us. He must be invited in. And those who won’t invite Him in, they bear the consequences of their sins directly in this moment. The LORD allows His covenant curses to come into effect on humanity.
I don’t know about you, but I am thankful for Jesus who bore my sins in His body on the Cross. When faced with the requirements of the Covenant, my account says “Innocent” or “Fulfilled” or “Spotless”. I get credit for Jesus’ life of righteousness.
The Arnold Journey 