The Lord had instructed Moses to build his tabernacle in step with the heavenly original (Exodus 25:9, Exodus 25:40; see also Hebrews 8:2, Hebrews 8:5). The earthly tent was closed to the public; people could assemble outside while only priests could enter the Holy Place, and none but the high priest the Most Holy Place—and he but once per year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1–34). Even the curious among the people could not peek inside the tabernacle because a screen was placed before the opening (Exodus 26:36), to say nothing of the veil that closed off the Most Holy Place from the outside (Exodus 26:31). But when the seventh angel sounded his trumpet (as triggered by the prayers of the saints, Revelation 8:3–4), the deepest insides of the heavenly temple were suddenly exposed for all to see.
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.