Revelation 15:5-8 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 6 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. 7 And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, 8 and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
The sequence leading to the end of the age continues to unfold in this passage. Seven angels will pour out God’s wrath upon the world. The imagery of a tent is similar to the tabernacle in the Old Testament. The angels appear like priests coming from the tabernacle. Instead of the “throne of grace” now are the “bowls of wrath.” The scene gives one the impression of the great power and might of God.
What is God’s wrath? God’s wrath is the response of God’s righteousness to the rejection of God’s will, law, and love. There are consequences to replacing the worship of God with the worship of something else. Romans 1:18-31 describes what happens when people reject God in this life. Rejection sets the path for judgment. Judgment upon sin comes in the way of God’s wrath. God’s wrath does not exclude love. Love and holiness go together. God leaves it up to us to choose which way we will go and what we will experience.
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