Revelation 15:5

Verse 5. And after these things. Here the scene changes, and is carried back to the period of time that immediately precedes the seven plagues. This removal of the scene Saint John insinuates by the unusual circumlocution, “after these things I beheld,” and looked on the commencement of this scene. The temple opens, and the seven Angels with the seven plagues proceed from the sanctuary to execute the work they are charged with. Past.—One ought not to be surprised to see the good Angels employed in these kinds of offices, as justice is no less an attribute of the Deity than mercy, and therefore equally the object of the ministry of the Angels. Calmet.—Behold, the temple of the tabernacle … in heaven, was opened. We have before observed, that these visions were shewn to Saint John as it were in a temple in heaven, and with an allusion to the sanctuary and its parts under Moses. The Angels are seen coming out with clean and white linen, and with golden girdles, being an allusion to the habits of the priests in the ancient law. Witham.