And after that I looked, and, behold; and after these things 1 saw. The characteristic commencement of a new vision or portion of a vision (see on Revelation 4:1, etc.). The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
The tabernacle had its counterpart in heaven (Hebrews 8:5). In Exodus 25:16, Exodus 25:21 we have the reason of the title "tabernacle of the testimony"—a name which is common in the Bible (see Exodus 38:21; Numbers 1:50, Numbers 1:53; Numbers 9:15; Numbers 10:11).
The "temple" is the ναός, the inner shrine, the holy of holies which contained the ark of the testimony, which in Revelation 11:1.9 is seen in connection with the judgments of God. Thence now proceed the angels bearing the plagues for men.