Revelation 11:19

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,) 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.