Revelation 11:19 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And the temple of God Bishop Newton and Grotius think that this verse should introduce chap. 12., as it appears to begin a new subject. It is somewhat like the beginning of Isaiah's vision, (Revelation 6:1,) I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, &c. And like the beginning of St. John's prophetic vision, (Revelation 4:1-2,) I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven, &c. This is much in the same spirit; and the temple of God was opened in heaven, &c. That is, more open discoveries were now made, and the mystery of God was revealed to the prophet. And there were lightnings and voices, &c. These are the usual concomitants of the divine presence, and especially at giving new laws and new revelations: see Exodus 20:16, &c.; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 8:5. And with as much reason they are made, in this place, the signs and preludes of the revelations and judgments which are to follow. It is no just objection that a new subject is supposed to begin with the conjunction and, for this is frequent in the style of the Hebrews; some books, as Numbers, Joshua, the two books of Samuel, and others, begin with ו vau, or and; and the same objection would hold against beginning the division with the first verse of the next chapter.