Useful Bible Studies > Revelation Commentary > chapter 15
Anyone who entered the temple (God’s house) in Jerusalem would first notice the smoke. Oil lamps burned constantly there (Leviticus 24:1-4), but most of the smoke came from the incense. Incense was the substance with a sweet smell that the priests burned.
The temple was not a public building; in fact, God’s law only permitted a few priests to enter it each day. Isaiah’s experience in Isaiah chapter 6 was probably in a vision (something like a dream that God shows to a person). However, even Isaiah noticed the smoke (Isaiah 6:4).
In Revelation 15:8, John explains that the smoke means the glory (greatness) of God. Perhaps that is easier to understand when we read 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, and the earlier incident in Exodus 40:34-35. In both incidents, God’s glory filled his house, and a cloud covered it. God’s glory was so great that the priests were unable to carry out their duties. In Revelation 15:8, as in Isaiah 6:4, the cloud was of smoke.
Moses was unable to enter God’s house while the cloud of God’s glory was there (Exodus 40:35). In Revelation 15:8, nobody could enter the temple in heaven while the smoke of God’s glory remained there.
This astonishing sight of God’s glory at his temple in heaven will remain during the period of the judgements in chapter 16. This is the final series of judgements that must happen before the start of Christ’s rule on earth. It is also the most severe of all the judgements in the Bible. It is these judgements that will destroy the power of every evil force, system and ruler over this world.
Next part: The order and purpose of the 7 bowls judgements (Revelation 16:1)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 700+ page course book.
© 2016, Keith Simons.