The opening of the temple in heaven signifies God's supreme authority and the imminent outpouring of His wrath upon the earth, as revealed in Revelation 11:19.
In Revelation 11:19, the temple of God in heaven is opened, revealing the Ark of His covenant, accompanied by lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. Les Feldick teaches that this event occurs near the close of the seven-year tribulation, emphasizing that God has taken His great power and begun to reign, and that His wrath is now being poured out. The temple's opening also points to the heavenly reality of which the earthly tabernacle was a pattern, as seen in Exodus 25.
Revelation 11:19 — This verse directly describes the temple of God being opened in heaven and the accompanying cosmic signs, which is the central focus of the question.
In Revelation 11, the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, and voices in heaven declare that the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ (Revelation 11:15). The twenty-four elders worship God, saying, "We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned" (Revelation 11:17). They continue, "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth" (Revelation 11:18). Then, "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). This passage indicates that the opening of the temple in heaven is associated with God's wrath, judgment of the dead, rewarding his servants, and destroying those who destroy the earth—all events that unfold as part of the end-time judgments.
Les Feldick explains that the temple of God being opened in heaven, as described in Revelation 11:19, occurs near the close of the seven-year tribulation, when God's dealings with rebellion are reaching their climax. He notes that the temple opening is accompanied by lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail, underscoring the seriousness and majesty of the event. Les emphasizes that this opening shows God's supremacy and that He is moving decisively against rebellious mankind. Les connects this to Exodus 25, where Moses was instructed to build the tabernacle according to the pattern shown to him. Les teaches that this pattern points to an original in heaven, so the temple opened in heaven is the heavenly reality of which Israel's tabernacle was a copy. He also points out that in Revelation 15, the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven is opened again, and the seven angels with the seven final plagues come out, each bowl full of the wrath of God.
Les Feldick teaches that the tabernacle plan that God gave to Moses was a copy of one in heaven, based on Exodus 25:8-9. He emphasizes that the heavenly temple is the original, and the earthly tabernacle was merely a pattern. This is supported by the fact that in Revelation 11:19, the temple of God is opened in heaven, revealing the Ark of the Covenant, which was a central piece of the earthly tabernacle. Les also notes that in Hebrews, the tabernacle not made with hands is in heaven itself, into the very throne room.
In Revelation 11:19, the opening of the temple is immediately followed by lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail, which are signs of God's power and wrath. Later, in Revelation 15, the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven is opened again, and seven angels with seven plagues come out, and they are given seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God. Les teaches that these bowl judgments are the final outpouring of God's wrath, leading up to the battle of Armageddon.
God's Wrath and the End Times
Les discusses how the wrath of God replaces grace in the end times, leading to the destruction of the earth and the new heaven and earth.
The Ark of the Covenant in Heaven
Les explains Revelation 11:19, noting that the temple of God opened in heaven reveals the Ark of the Covenant, and he connects this to God's wrath and judgment.
The Temple Opened and the Seven Bowls
Les describes how the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven opens again in Revelation 15, and seven angels with seven final plagues come out, full of the wrath of God.
The Heavenly Pattern
Les teaches that the earthly tabernacle was a copy of a heavenly one, as shown in Exodus 25:8-9, providing the background for the heavenly temple opened in Revelation.
The Temple Filled with Smoke
Les comments on Revelation 15:8, where the temple is filled with smoke from the glory of God, and no one can enter until the seven plagues are fulfilled.
8 Privileges God Gave Only to Israel — Romans 9:4 Explained
Back in Deuteronomy, when Deuteronomy reminded the nation of Israel, had there ever been another nation of people that experienced the mountain on fire like Israel was with Mount Sinai? No. And then Moses went on. Was there ever a people that experienced God coming down on the mountain with thunder and fire, and of course His glory? No other people on earth had ever experienced it, and lived.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
Les refers to the sanctuary not made with hands, which is in heaven, reinforcing the idea that the heavenly temple is the original pattern.
Why God Led Israel the Long Way: The Red Sea & The Pillar of Fire
And don't ever take anything away from that, because later on in the book when the tabernacle is completed, what happens to the cloud? Well, it sets right over the Holy of Holies, and it becomes the guiding light of Israel. Whenever it's time for them to move and camp someplace else, what happens? The cloud lifts up and moves.
Revelation 11:19: 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.
This is the key verse describing the temple opened in heaven and its accompanying signs.
Revelation 15:5-7: And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 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. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
This shows another instance of the temple opening and the angels with the bowls of wrath.
Exodus 25:8-9: And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
This verse shows that the earthly tabernacle was to be made after the pattern shown to Moses, implying a heavenly original.
The opening of the temple in heaven, as seen in Revelation 11:19, signifies that God is asserting His authority and beginning to pour out His wrath upon the earth. It is accompanied by lightnings, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail, indicating the seriousness of the event.
Les Feldick teaches that the earthly tabernacle was a pattern of the heavenly one, so the Ark of the Covenant seen in the heavenly temple represents the covenant that God has with His people. It shows the heavenly reality of which the earthly was a copy.
The tabernacle built by Moses was to be made according to the pattern shown him, which was a copy of the one in heaven. Thus, the temple opened in heaven reveals the original sanctuary, of which the earthly was a mere shadow.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens When God's Wrath Replaces Grace — Revelation 9 & 11