November 8: GOLDEN BANDS OF TRUTH
And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Revelation 15:6
Today’s verse is a continuation of 15:1. The very place where we are to boldly seek mercy and grace – the heavenly temple – is also the location from which divine judgments emanate. The most holy place of the heavenly temple is the dwelling place of the Lord’s Testimony, also known as His Covenant. Throughout Scripture, He has expressed His love for people, communicating His desire to live with us and in us. Every citizen in God’s kingdom will bear the Testimony of His Covenant in their hearts for eternity. These seven angels also emerge from the most holy place of heavenly temple. This fact alone makes a clear statement that “no individual or nation can with impunity defy the Law of God.” (Ranko Stefanovic)
Their garb, pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands, is very much like the description of Christ in 1:13. This descriptive link with His appearance indicates that they are commissioned by Christ; they are His avenging agents. It is with purity and righteousness that the work of pouring out the last plagues will be carried out. The highest court in the universe has carefully, meticulously, and flawlessly deliberated. Not a single detail will be overlooked or misunderstood. The mission of punishment and destruction is not assigned as the result of a mere reactive emotion. This is nothing like human anger. In addition, the final plagues will not be natural disasters, accidents, “climate change”, or any action whatsoever on the part of men. It will be studied, measured, and perfect. Once the plagues begin to fall, God’s gracious probation for the human race is ended.
And he [the angel] said to me [John], “Do not seal the words of this prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11
May each of us daily be ‘dressed’ with sincere kindness, wrapped with a mantle of genuine compassion, donning the countenance of anticipatory joy, and crowned with salvation’s glory. And, though we are not avenging agents — “Vengeance is Mine,” says the LORD, and “The LORD will judge His people” (Hebrews 10:30) — we are not to omit any part of the everlasting gospel (Revelation 14:6) as the Good News goes out into the world. To speak of the fair and flawless judgment of our God is an act of love.
Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:7
For further study: Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 73:3,12,16,17; Ephesians 6:14; Revelation 19:8,14