Revelation 11:19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
After hearing the praise of 24 elders and the announcement of the coming of God’s kingdom, John looks into the heavenly temple of God. Jews believed that the earthly temple was a model of the heavenly temple. The last time the historical ark of the covenant is mentioned is during the monarchy. It is possible that it was taken by the Babylonians with the destruction of the temple. Whatever the case, it has been lost to history. John sees the ark in the heavenly temple. The ark represents the presence of God with his people and the relationship in covenant. That the temple opens may also show direct access to the presence of God for all people. Hebrews states that Jesus opened the way. John’s vision shows this happening when the fullness of the kingdom is announced. It is unclear where the lighting, rumblings, thunder, earthquake and hailstorm take place, but the assumption is on earth but the context implies heaven since there is no change of scene mentioned.
The response to the coming of God’s kingdom is powerful and awesome.
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