God in Heaven

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 great hailstorm.
 
HOW would you interpret this scene based on what you have learned from Revelation to this point? With the temple, altar, storms and earthquake, what does God want you to know about him and your faith?
   One of the challenges of reading a few verses each day is that we can forget to see the grand picture of Heaven. In order to interpret this one verse, then, let’s remember the first 18 verses of chapter 11. First, John measured the temple, Heaven’s worship space. We also saw in 11:1 that “temple” represents each person in the church. The temple in this verse is Heaven’s worship. God is present with his church.
   The ark of the covenant connects God’s tabernacle in the Exodus journey with Heaven. The ark was a wooden chest God instructed his people to create for the most holy place in the desert tabernacle. The ark contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, manna and Aaron’s budded staff. These would remind Israel of God’s law, provision and priestly leadership. In addition, its top had two cherubim. These are angels whose wings stretched across the ark, touching each other. God’s Mercy Seat was on top of the ark under the wings. The ark was set in the holy of holies, the most inner sanctuary of God’s presence with his people. Only the high priest, Aaron at first, could go to this ark in worship. Each year the priest entered the holy of holies to meet with God. The ark was not to be touched. Special rings were fastened to it, and the Levites designated certain people to use acacia poles at God’s instruction to insert into the rings to carry the ark on the desert journey. Touching the ark inappropriately could be fatal: (See 2 Samuel 6:6-7)
   The ark was one way God interacted with his people in a very personal, holy relationship. The vision of the ark in Heaven would greatly encourage John’s Jewish readers that this vision was of the Holy God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This vision encourages all of us that the God of Revelation is the God of Exodus, delivering his people from pagan worship and welcoming us into Heaven’s worship.
   How else do we know God is present? This verse has reminded us that earthquakes, lightning, thunder and storms are one of God’s signatures. His power is evident in his created phenomena many times in Scripture.  
   We are half way through this remarkable display of his perfect plan for your eternal future. I hope you are learning how much God loves you. The kingdom of the world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. And he shall reign forever and ever. I hope you are ready to learn more.
 
Prayer: You are mighty, holy and just, Lord God. Thank you for this revelation. I love knowing you more completely. Amen.