As before stated (chap. 8:3), the heavenly world as opened up to John appeared symbolized after the sanctuary of the temple. By "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony," out of which the seven angels came fully prepared for their work, is meant the most holy place of the sanctuary, called "the tabernacle of the testimony" because there was deposited in it, beneath the wings of the cherubim, the ark of the testimony, or God's covenant. It was therefore as from the most holy place of the sanctuary--from the very presence of the Deity--that these angels went forth commissioned to execute the seven last plagues. This shows that they went by the divine command as ministers of vengeance. The purity and beauty of their attire denoted both the spotless excellency of their characters and the justice of the work in which they were to engage. Although theirs was a work of awful avenging judgment, still the garments they wore would not be soiled thereby; and their flowing robes of white were girded up with a beautiful golden girdle. Therefore there is no inconsistency between the purity and love of God and the work of his vengeance. It would seem to human reasoning that the two are irreconcilable, but these symbols teach differently. These angels received their vials (goblets) of wrath at the hands of one of the four living creatures, who are symbols of the redeemed sons of earth. Their deliverance by one of these doubtless denotes that these judgments were to be executed in their behalf and in answer to their prayers. For centuries the wrath of deadly persecutors had been poured out upon God's people, until the cry ascended from the lips of the martyrs, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Chap. 6:10. Now their prayer is answered, and by their hand, as it were, the vials of wrath are delivered with the divine sanction unto the seven angels to be poured out upon these proud oppressors of the Lord's people. These vials, too, were "full of wrath." What a fearful expression! _Full of wrath_, even "_the wrath of God_, who liveth forever and ever." There was nothing in them but wrath and that to the very brim.