Revelation 15:1-8
This lesson continues the intermission begun in chapter 12. Intermission number 3 is contained in Revelation chapter 12-15.
Chapter 12 – An explanation of the history of Israel and how Satan has tried to defeat Christ.
Chapter 13 – An explanation of the history of the Anti-Christ and how Satan has worked long and hard to bring about his doomed kingdom.
Chapter 14 – Praise and honor is given to God because he is victorious over Satan and his kingdom.
Chapter 15 – A view of those that have died under Satan’s persecution during the tribulation period, and a brief glimpse into the glory of God as he delivers the seven golden vials full of his wrath.
Revelation 15 is divided into two sections.
Verse 1-4 is a description of the final victory of the saints of God who were murdered during the Great Tribulation.
Verse 5-8 describes the detail preparation of the final wrath of God.
Verse - 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.
Another sign: a wonder, a miracle.
Revelation 12:1 - And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
The nation of Israel is a great wonder to all this world.
This tiny nation has been chosen of God, yet all the world hates her and vainly attempts to destroy her from the face of the earth.
This tiny nation brings forth the chosen Messiah, who was rejected, but who is given authority over the world by God Almighty.
There are also some wonders from Satan, but these wonders pale in comparison to God’s wonders.
Revelation 12:3 – And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Revelation 13:13-14 - And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
This “another sign” witnessed by John is the final retribution of the wrath of God upon all wickedness.
Seven angels are given the seven vials full of God’s wrath.
Luke 19:10 – Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the lost, seeking and saving them.
The time to repent is now!
Matthew 13:37 - Jesus Christ is also the sower of the good seed.
Jesus Christ is also the “harvester” of Revelation 14.
These “multiple” roles reflect the varied attributes of God.
Many of the signs of Revelation are horrible, producing terrible results, but this sign is wonderful and brings the final judgment of God and everlasting peace to a trouble world.
This sign is also in heaven and fulfilled on this earth.
Revelation 12:1 – The sign of Israel appeared in heaven and was fulfilled on this earth.
Revelation 12:3 – The wonder of the great red dragon also appeared in heaven and was fulfilled on this earth, as is reflected in Revelation 13:13-14.
Revelation 15:1 is also seen in heaven, and fulfilled on this earth.
The sequence of events.
Verse 1 – John first sees the sign of the wrath of God (seven angels having the seven last plagues).
Verse 2-4 – Then John sees those that have the victory over the beast stand on the sea of glass.
Verse 5-8 – Then John sees the preparation of the final wrath of God.
God does not pour out his wrath on the earth as long as his children are on the earth.
I Thessalonians 5:9 states, For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Believers always face the wrath of Satan and the wrath of man, but never the wrath of God.
Sometimes believers face the chastisement of God, which is completely different from the wrath of God.
Verse 2-4 – And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
The sea of glass.
The sea of glass is empty in Revelation 4:6.
These saints of God had not yet given their lives for the cause of Christ.
The saints who are martyred during the Great Tribulation are honored by being allowed to stand in this holy place, directly in front of the throne of God.
These are standing.
They are not standing in defiance, as the rebels of Zechariah 14:12.
They are not bowing the knee, as in Romans 14:11, For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
They are not sitting, as the 24 elders sit on their thrones, because they are not ruling.
They are standing, as we stand to honor a dignitary.
“Mingled” and “fire”: found two times in the Bible.
Exodus 9:24 - So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
Revelation 8:7 - The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
These passages speak of the judgment of God.
Therefore the sea of glass mingled with fire speaks of the saints of God escaping the Great Tribulation and the wrath of man.
The victory of the tribulation saints is fourfold.
Their victory over…
over the beast –This is the anti-Christ.
over his image – This is the image of Revelation 13:14.
over his mark – This is the “identifier”, which associates with the Anti-Christ and his flawed kingdom.
over the number of his name – This is “666”, the number of a man, Revelation 13:18.
These victories speak of total, complete personal victory over seemingly insurmountable evil.
The scriptures did not mention a victory over Satan.
God gives victory over Satan, which enables victory over all other enemies.
God gives salvation, and with salvation he gives everything necessary to be victorious over everything else.
Believers have a responsibility to be faithful to God and defeat his enemies.
Progressive sanctification speaks of being set aside for God, thereby defeating internal sin, which allows the defeat of external sin.
Their song.
These tribulation saints have suffered horribly for the cause of Christ.
They have not only died because they believed in Christ, they saw it coming and remained true to God.
The Bible records they sang after their trails were over.
I believe they also rejoiced during their trials, even though they (as humans) had some dread and fear.
Did they sing during their trials?
Acts 4:21-23 – After these disciples were threatened and let go, they continued to be faithful to God.
Acts 5:1-11 – After Ananias and Sapphira were killed for lying to God, believers continued to be faithful, even though some refused to join the church.
Acts 5:17-32 – After the apostles were put in prison, they continued to be faithful.
Acts 5:33 – The apostles were in danger of death.
Acts 5:40 – Being let go, they rejoiced that God counted them worthy to suffer for his name.
Acts 16:25 – Paul and Silas sang when they were in the inner prison and their feet were fast in stocks.
They do not complain to God because of their sufferings, but give him glory and honor because they were allowed to suffer for his sake.
Acts 5:41 – And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
I Thessalonians 1:3-5 – We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
The saints of Hebrews 11:1-35 received “good” while the saints in verse 36-40 received bad: but both are faithful saints.
Their suffering shames us who complain about petty inconveniences.
The cry of modern religion is: believe on Christ and be prosperous with no trouble in all your lives.
Many believe trouble in the life is caused by sin in the heart, when in truth, our troubles may be caused by pureness of heart.
Sometimes our troubles are caused by wickedness in our hearts: this is called “chastisement”.
They have harps of God to accompany them.
Some might say harps are the only instruments that should be used in praising God, but that is contrary to scripture.
Psalms 150 indicates every instrument would be good to praise the Lord.
Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess, therefore all should willingly praise the Lord
The song of Moses and the Lamb is a song of victory.
The song is not a new song.
Moses sang the first song recorded in the Bible in Exodus 15 at the Red Sea.
Israel sang of God’s victory over Egypt.
Exodus 15:13-18 anticipates the final victory God will give Israel over all their enemies.
The song of the Lamb.
I do not know exactly what this song is, but looking at the context, it appears to be a song of victory.
Revelation 5:9-10 is a song of victory: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 14:3 speaks of a new song the 144,000 sing before the throne of God.
The words of the song: probably a recapitulation of the words of the song.
This song is such as we should pray.
Praise first, request afterwards.
These never asked for anything because all their earthly needs were met on the earth.
There are no needs in heaven.
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty;
The song begins with rehearsing the marvelous things God has done.
It is always good to see the great works God has done.
The book of Psalms often tell the entire history of Israel to make a point concerning the continuing provision and greatness of God.
just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Progression of praise from works to “ways”.
God’s works reflect the just and true ways of God.
The word “just” refer to the righteousness, in all regards, of God’s works and ways.
The word “true” refer to more than the name and resemblance of being true, but the basic nature, in every respect, of what is genuine.
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy:
Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to the glory of God.
The question is prevalent, because it is so obvious the works of God reflect the perfect ways of God.
God will be glorified for he is holy.
for all nations shall come and worship before thee;
Prophecy that will soon come to pass.
Zechariah 14:16-19 declares the plagues that will come upon all those nations that do not willingly come to worship God during the millennium.
for thy judgments are made manifest.
Judgments refer to the judicial decisions made by Christ that reveal his righteousness.
The righteous judgments of Solomon revealed his wisdom had been given to him by God.
“Manifest” means revealed, or made obvious to all.
The finality of this song points toward every person, both lost and saved.
Verse 5-8 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 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. 7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 8 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.
The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven.
The wording places emphasis upon various elements which direct our attention to Christ.
The heavenly temple is the largest and most external visual example of the glory of Christ.
The tabernacle of the testimony is the dwelling place of the testimony of God.
The testimony of God includes, Hebrews 9:4:
The manna – reflecting God’s continual daily provision (a token of his eternal provision) for his beloved saints.
Aaron’s rod that budded – reflecting the priesthood authority recognized by God, and finalized by the eternal ministry of Jesus Christ.
The tables of the covenant – The law of God, which will never pass away, either condemns or draws to Christ, written first by God, then by Moses.
The tabernacle of the testimony refers to the habitation of the testimony, or the ark of the covenant, sometimes called the ark of testimony or the tabernacle of witness.
Exodus 30:6, 36 refers to the placement of the altar of incense.
The altar of incense is placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, in front of the vail, which separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.
The ark of the testimony is located in the Holy of Holies, where God meets with his people.
The vail of the temple was rent from top to bottom when Christ was crucified, thereby making the way of salvation open to all.
The renting of the vail also opened the way of the wrath of God upon all who look in the ark of the testimony without the mercy of God.
The phrase “...where I will meet with thee…” (Exodus 30:6, 36) speaks of holy communication with God.
A terrifying or comforting thought: God will meet with every person – what is your eternal outcome?
When God meets with men with his everlasting mercy, there is everlasting peace, and contentment.
When God communicates with men without his everlasting mercy, there is death and destruction.
The progression of the wrath of God.
Revelation 11:19 reveals the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of the testament was seen.
This is not the wrath of God, as the renting of the vail in Matthew 27:51 revealed the way of salvation is complete.
There is no more need of an animal sacrifice because Christ is the everlasting sacrifice.
When the vail of the temple was rent from top to bottom, it reveals God had made the way available to all, both Jew and Gentile.
It is a time of “whosoever will” spoken of in Joel 2:32, and declared by Peter on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:21.
Revelation 15:5 continues this “opening”, revealing the ark of the testament was opened, which means the mercy seat of God has been removed.
The removal of the mercy seat indicates the time of the pouring out of the wrath of God.
As long as the mercy seat remains on the ark of the covenant, the mercy of God remains in effect, and “whosoever will may come” remains.
When the mercy seat is removed, the time of “whosoever will may come” is over, and the wrath of God will be poured on all who have not come to Christ for salvation.
Opening the ark of the testimony means the removal of the mercy of God, therefore the wrath of God is poured upon those who look into the ark without mercy.
I Samuel 6:19 - And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
I Samuel 6:13 – Men often are glad to see God, as the men of Bethshemesh were glad, but their joy soon turned into great sorrow (verse 20-21).
God killed 50,070 people of Bethshemesh because they looked into the ark by removing the mercy seat.
How many will he kill when the ark of the testimony is opened at the close of the Great Tribulation?
The open Ark of the Covenant.
It is interesting to note the contents of the Ark of the covenant.
The manna – reflecting God’s continual daily provision for his beloved saints.
Aaron’s rod that budded – reflecting the priesthood authority recognized by God.
The tables of the covenant – The law of God, by which all will be judged, or drawn to Christ for salvation, written first by God, then by Moses.
The Ark of the Covenant being opened (the mercy seat being removed) indicates the removal of mercy and the expectation of God’s justice.
The manna – God’s daily provision was refused.
Aaron’s rod that budded – The authority of Christ and his eternal priesthood, along with God’s eternal salvation, was refused.
The tables of the covenant – The law of God, by which all will be judged, has been dismissed as useless, but will finally judge all who refuse its precepts.
I often hear the expressing “The Old Testament is under the law and the New Testament is under grace”.
Salvation is always by grace.
Genesis 6:8 states But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Matthew 5:17-20 states, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Christ did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill. The Phrase “under the law” in the New Testament means “lost”.
The wording focuses our attention on the heavenly temple.
We first see the temple (dwelling place of Christ), then the tabernacle (habitation or dwelling place) of the testimony.
According to Exodus 30:6,36, the testimony refers to the law of God, expressed as Ten Commandments written on tables of stone, first by God (Exodus 24:12,13; 31:18), then by Moses (Exodus 34:1,28) after Moses destroyed those Ten commandments written by God.
It is amazing the very think the world (even much of Christianity) has rejected is what finally is used by Christ to judge all.
The vials of wrath will not be poured out on the earth until all the saints are with the Lord.
I Thessalonians 5:9 reveals believers are not appointed to wrath, For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
This verse does not mean believers will not face the wrath of man.
When man has done his worse, God is just beginning to help his people.
The temple normally refers to the temple of Jerusalem, which, of course, was build after the pattern of the temple in heaven.
Earthly temples are only symbols of the heavenly temple.
The temple in these verses is in heaven.
Exodus 25:40 – Moses built the tabernacle according to the pattern in the mount. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Hebrews 8:5 - Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Hebrews 9:23 - It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
The seven angels.
Seven has been accepted as the Bible number for completeness, therefore the wrath of God is complete in these seven angels.
The reaping of the earth and the seven angels pouring out the final seven vials of God’s wrath appear to be the same.
The means God uses to reap the earth is the seven angels who pour out his wrath by the means of vials.
The seven angels receive the seven last plagues from one of the living creatures.
They come from the temple with the vials of wrath.
Verse 6 – The phrase “having the seven plagues” indicates the angels received the vials of wrath before they left the temple.
Verse 7 – One of the four beasts give the seven golden vials full of the wrath of God.
It appears the seven angels received the vials of wrath inside the temple, because the four beasts are continually before the throne of God.
Verse 7 follows verse 6, but the events described in verse 7 precede the events describes in verse 6.
The four beasts are always before the throne of God, which is in the temple of God. They are never said to be outside the temple, or away from the throne of God.
Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Revelation 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Revelation 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
The four beasts, Revelation 4:7, represent Jesus Christ.
The lion represents Jesus Christ as King of Kings: Matthew.
The calf represents Jesus Christ as a servant: Mark.
The man represents Jesus Christ as a man: Luke.
The flying eagle represents Jesus Christ as the Saviour: John.
The Bible does not record which living creature gave the seven golden vials to the seven angels.
The vials or cups received by the seven angels are full of the final wrath of God.
Psalms 116:13 – These vials do not contain salvation, as stated in this verse, for the time of salvation is over. It is now the time of wrath.
Habakkuk 3:2 – Habakkuk prayed that God revive Israel; not destroy her. He prays for mercy in the midst of wrath. There will be no mercy when God’s final seven vials of wrath are poured out.
Angels do nothing until they are commanded, even when they have all the articles essentials to carry out the task they know they will be commanded to perform.
As angels pour out their vials of God’s wrath – they do it decently and in order – even in wrath God does not loose control.
Compare the words “angry” and “mad”.
Some get angry and go “mad” as they lose control, but not God.
He is angry and sins not.
His anger is pure and absolutely holy without bias or prejudice.
The clothing of the seven angels represents their qualifications to represent Christ when they pour out the vials of his wrath.
Compare the clothing of the angels with the blood splattered clothing of Christ.
These angel’s garments are pure and white linen.
Fine, white linen represents righteousness: Revelation 19:8 – The bride is clothed with …fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Revelation 19:13-14 pictures the garments of Christ as a vesture dipped in blood, while the armies of heaven that accompany Christ have garments of fine linen, white and clean.
Christ treads the winepress alone, just as he alone was the sacrifice.
Exodus 28 describes the holy garments of the High Priests, which has much gold on it, reflecting the glory of God.
Daniel 10:5 describes the clothing of the man of Daniel’s vision who explained the events of the last days. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
This was a righteous man as reflected in his wearing linen, and his loins girded with fine gold.
He does not come in judgment, but to give explanation of judgment.
Definitions.
“Girt” means to be bound with something like a belt.
“Paps” is the breasts, referring to God’s authority to judge.
“Loins” is the hips while “reins” refers to the loins as the seat of virility.
Gold represents the glory of God.
Scriptures confirming the definitions.
The garments of the High Priest reflect Jesus Christ.
Exodus 28:4 – And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exodus 28:15 – And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
This girdle is a sash or a waistband, which reflects the righteousness of Christ.
The High Priest wears both a girdle on the lions and the breastplate of righteousness on his chest, signifying the dual role of Christ as Saviour and judge.
There is a time when Christ exhibits his role as Saviour, then a time when Christ exhibits his role as judge.
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.
The pure white linen of the angels represent the righteousness of these seven angels.
Their breasts having their breasts girded with golden girdles represents the glory of God revealed in his righteous judgment.
The garments of Christ.
Isaiah 11:5 – And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
The girdle worn on the loins of Christ refer to righteousness.
The girdle worn on the reins of Christ refer to God’s faithfulness.
Revelation 1:13 states, 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.
The golden girdle worn by Christ worn about the paps refers to Jesus Christ coming in judgment.
There was a time when Christ came in righteousness receiving all who came to him, but now is a time when Christ comes to judge all those who refuse to repent and believe the gospel.
The temple in heaven is filled with smoke, which comes from the glory and power of God and reflects the day of his wrath.
The smoke is from the glory and power of God.
The wrath of God is pure, not filled with vengeance, as human wrath often is.
God is longsuffering to all, forgiving all who come to him asking for his everlasting mercy.
The tabernacle built by Moses and the temple built by Solomon is filled with a cloud.
Exodus 40:33-38 – The tabernacle was filled with a cloud to show the approval and presence of God.
I Kings 8:11-12 – The temple built by Solomon was filled with a cloud to show the approval and presence of God.
The cloud often refers to the comforting presence and promises of God.
Genesis 9:13 - I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Exodus 13:21 - And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
There are multiple Biblical passages that speak of the Lord appearing to Israel in a cloud, revealing himself, or leading them by a cloud, or otherwise protecting them with a cloud.
The temple in heaven (Revelation 15:8) is filled with smoke, which speaks of his wrath.
Exodus 19:18 - And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Deuteronomy 29:20 - The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
Psalms 18:8 - There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. (Compare to II Samuel 22:9)
Psalms 74:1 - O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
Isaiah 6:4 - And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. It is evident from the context Isaiah is standing before a God ready to judge.
Revelation 8:4 - And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. The context of this passage reveals the prayers of the saints have a great bearing on the coming judgment of God.
Satan fooled the world into thinking God was dead, as he had overcome him, and taken over heaven.
Satan did not kill God, which is revealed by the temple being filled with smoke.
No man is able to enter the temple until the seven plagues are finished.
This verse implies that saints are able to enter the temple in heaven to worship God.
This is a very interesting view of heaven and what saints are doing.
Because the temple will be uninhabited during this time indicates all eyes will be focused on the events on the earth as the vials of God’s wrath is poured out.
I doubt the time of the vials will be long.
I love to think of saved loved ones who have died going in and out of the temple in heaven.