The purpose of the temple (and tabernacle) was to spell out relationship between God and people. Sinners can enter the presence of holy, eternal God only because of sacrifices made on the altar. More specifically, sin demands death (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23). The glorious gospel was that the Lord would accept the sacrifice of a lamb in place of the death of the sinner (John 1:29). The lamb who had become sin had to be burned in sacrifice, and then the leftovers carried away with the use of the bowls (see commentary on Revelation 15:7). With the use of the word “temple” John directs his readers to remember the function of the temple, that is, the good news of how it is possible for sinners to be reconciled to God.
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”