This temple is in heaven and so those who could see the ark would be inhabitants of heaven. That includes the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, the hosts of angels, and the saints who have already gone to their Lord and Master (Revelation 6:9; Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:14–15). For the saints around the throne, the opening of the temple and the exposure of the ark form vivid reminders of what it took for the Lamb of God—slain, risen (Revelation 5:6)—to receive the kingdom of this world (Revelation 11:15).
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.