Devine Scripture

Revelation 15:5

What does Revelation 15:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 15:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 15:5 means

John now sees the heavenly sanctuary opened—the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony. This language recalls the earthly tabernacle that housed the testimony, the covenant witness. By opening the true heavenly temple, God shows that what follows proceeds from His holy presence and covenant faithfulness. Judgment flows not from caprice but from the God who keeps His word and defends His testimony. The opening signals authorization: heaven’s inner court grants access so that the decreed actions may begin. The scene grounds the coming plagues in God’s holiness, not in human rage or demonic chaos.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And after these things I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And after these things I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after these things I saw, and the house of the Tent of witness in heaven was open:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And after these things I saw, and lo, opened was the sanctuary of the tabernacle of the testimony in the heaven;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after these things, I looked: and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And after these things I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of witness in the heaven was opened;

Context

After the worship in verses 2–4, verse 5 turns to the operational center of heaven. The opened temple indicates that the time to act has arrived. This prepares for verse 6, where the seven angels emerge in holy attire, commissioned to carry the plagues. The sequence underscores that judgment issues from God’s own presence and purposes, providing a theological anchor before the narrative places the bowls into the angels’ hands (verse 7) and seals the moment with the glory-cloud (verse 8).

v.4Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.

v.5This passage

v.6and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed withprecious stone, pure and bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Numbers 1:53

    But the Levites shall encamp round about the tabernacle of the testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.

  • Numbers 1:50

    but appoint thou the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all the furniture thereof, and over all that belongeth to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

  • Exodus 25:21

    And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

  • Matthew 27:51

    And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;

  • Revelation 11:19

    And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.

  • Exodus 38:21

    This is the sum of the things for the tabernacle, even the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.

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