Revelation 11:19

The temple. There is opened before John a view of God’s heavenly temple, with “the ark of his testament” the focal point of the vision. Now, in the typical sanctuary, which was a “copy of the true one” (Heb. 9:24, RSV) in heaven, the ark was in the most holy place, which was the center of the service of the Day of Atonement—a typical day of judgment. It is in connection with the beginning of the seventh trumpet that John sees the temple in heaven and very particularly “the ark of his testament.” This indicates that the second and last division of Christ’s heavenly ministry, answering to the typical Day of Atonement, has opened. Other scriptures reveal that this final phase of Christ’s work began in 1844 (see on Dan. 8:14). Accordingly, Seventh-day Adventists place the beginning of the seventh trumpet in that year.

Ark of his testament. The ark in the typical sanctuary was the depository of the Ten Commandments, God’s immutable moral law for all men in all ages. No believer in God in Jewish times could think of the ark without becoming immediately conscious of the Ten Commandments. John’s vision of the ark above argues eloquently that in earth’s last hours God’s great moral law is to be central in the thinking and in the lives of all who seek to serve God in spirit and in truth (see on chs. 12:17; 14:12).

Lightnings, and voices, and thunderings. As under the seventh plague (ch. 16:18).

An earthquake. As under the seventh plague (ch. 16:18, 19, cf. on ch. 11:13).

Great hail. As under the seventh plague (ch. 16:21).