What does Revelation 11:19 mean?

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 11:19

Explanation

Revelation 11:19 describes a vision that the Apostle John saw. He describes the temple of God in heaven being opened and the ark of his testament being visible within it. The ark he mentions is often related to the Ark of the Covenant from the Old Testament, which contained the tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments and represented God’s presence and covenant with Israel.

The imagery of lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail suggests a divine manifestation accompanying the opening of the temple. This can be interpreted as a sign of God’s power and majesty. Revelations are full of apocalyptic and prophetic imagery, and these elements often signify momentous events both in heaven and on earth, possibly heralding significant changes or judgments.

Historical Context

The book of Revelation was written by John, traditionally understood to be the same John who was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. The text was likely penned toward the end of the 1st century A.D., a time when Christians faced persecution from the Roman Empire. The apocalyptic literature served to encourage and warn the Christian community by offering a vision of ultimate victory over evil and the assurance of God’s sovereignty.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse encompasses several insights:

• Divine Revelation: The opening of the temple symbolizes divine revelation and the communication of sacred truths.

• God’s Presence: The ark’s presence reinforces the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, signifying God’s enduring presence and faithfulness.

• Eschatology: The calamities (lightning, earthquake, hail) can also be seen as part of eschatological events, dealing with the end times and divine judgment.

• Covenant Theology: The “testament” within the ark suggests the unbreakable nature of God’s covenant.

Different theological perspectives may interpret the verse in various ways, emphasizing its literal apocalyptic anticipation or its symbolic representation of spiritual truths.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by reminding believers of the following:

• The importance of faith in divine sovereignty, especially in times of trouble.

• Being aware of God’s covenant with humanity and living in a way that honors that agreement.

• Understanding that trials and tribulations may be indicative of a larger divine plan.

Cross-References

• Hebrews 9:4: “Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;”

• Exodus 25:10-22: Describes the Ark of the Covenant and its significance.

• Revelation 16:18: “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text:

• “Opened” (ἠνοίγη) refers to being accessible or revealed.
• “Temple” (ναὸς) is used to denote a sacred place, specifically the dwelling place of God.
• “Ark of his testament” (κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης) combines “ark” with “testament” or covenant, pointing to the sacred container of the Divine Law.
• The terms for “lightnings,” “voices,” “thunderings,” “earthquake,” and “great hail” are all indicative of grand and often terrifying phenomena associated with divine appearances or pronouncements in ancient literature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

While unique in its Christian context, the imagery of awe-inspiring natural phenomena accompanying divine events is not unique to Christianity. Similar motifs can be found in other cultural mythologies where gods demonstrate power through control over nature. For instance, in ancient Greek mythology, Zeus is often portrayed as using thunderbolts as weapons.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science explains phenomena like lightning, thunder, earthquakes, and hail through natural processes. In John’s time, these events were often interpreted as signs from the divine realm. Nowadays, while recognized as natural occurrences, they still can serve as metaphors for powerful, transformative experiences in a person’s life or society.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Revelation 11:19 vary, but generally they agree that the verse is rich in symbolic significance:

• Some assert that the ark of the testament is a sign of the fulfillment of God’s promises.

• Others emphasize the apocalyptic nature, seeing the natural phenomena as indicators of end-times events.

• Many scholars note the liturgical or cultic significance, linking the open temple and visible ark to a profound revelation of divine truth and presence.

Commentators also discuss the continuity of the covenant represented by the ark and how this underlines the faithfulness of God throughout the shifting eras of human history.