(5) And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: (6) And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
It is not heaven, the place of the blessed in glory, that is here meant; for what is said soon after, verse 8, of being filled with smoke, if there were no other cause, would do this away. But it is the Church, which for the most part all along is intended, when heaven is mentioned. From the Church, therefore, John beheld the seven angels, or messengers, coming forth, with the seven last plagues. Perhaps these may mean even some very humble ministers of Christ, in his Church. Their number seven, (which is a perfect number), is not very probably intended, a certain number of seven, and no more, neither of one particular period; but the perfection of their order, being ordained by God the Holy Ghost, and their perfection in Christ. Their dress also being priestly, in white linen, and girt about the breasts with golden girdles, implies their order, in being made both Kings and Priests to God the Father, Revelation 1:6. Reader! do observe what uniformity in all God's people. Their robes, are Christ's robes. Their ordination is from Christ. And, as the worshippers of the beast, and of the dragon, have their marks: so the Lord's people have their's. Oh! the unspeakable mercy, in these distinctions! The Lord knoweth them that are his! 2 Timothy 2:19. And, let not the Reader forget, that this is the security, against the awful day coming on, when all shall worship the beast, except they whose names are in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8; Ezekiel 9:5-6.