Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my opinion, the smoke serves a dual purpose in this passage. In one respect, it denotes the presence of God, similar to the way in which the temple filled with smoke as a sign of God's presence in the vision of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:4).

However, the smoke in Revelation would also act as a barrier against entry into the temple until the plagues are finished, just as smoke from an earthly fire would prevent entry into an area where it was present, due to the hazard of injury or death from smoke inhalation.

May 04 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kenneth Heck

This temple is in heaven (Rev 15:5) and it is wonderful that it has apparently been there since it was first constructed on earth at the time of Moses. The smoke comes from burning "the wrath of God", perhaps in distinction to burning the incense combined with the prayers of the saints in Rev 8:4, which also produced a smoke.

The smoke filled the temple so that there would be no possibility of intercession by anyone to ameliorate or reduce the seven plagues. The plagues are for people of the beast only, so no lessening of the plagues will be permitted for anyone with the mark of the beast. This may suggest that the people of the beast will be a heretical movement which falsely claims to be Jewish or Jewish-Christians.

Normally, intercession is possible in heaven to reduce an individual believer's suffering if the person is steadfast in prayer.

May 04 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report