The Tabernacle of the Testimony and the Testimony of Light
Revelation 15:5 states: "After this I looked, and the temple--the tabernacle of the Testimony--was opened in heaven." This significant biblical vision is interpreted across various translations to describe the opening of the heavenly sanctuary.
Scriptural Interpretations of the Heavenly Temple
According to the New International Version, "After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened." The English Standard Version notes that "the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened," while the New Living Translation records that "the Temple in heaven, God’s Tabernacle, was thrown wide open."
The following table illustrates the various ways this sacred space is described across different versions of the Bible:
| Bible Translation | Description of the Temple and Tabernacle |
|---|---|
| New International Version | The temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law |
| English Standard Version | The sanctuary of the tent of witness | New Living Translation | The Temple in heaven, God’s Tabernacle |
| GOD'S WORD® Translation | The temple of the tent containing the words of God's promise |
| Christian Standard Bible | The heavenly temple—the tabernacle of testimony |
| Literal Standard Version | The temple of the Dwelling Place of the Testimony |
Other translations emphasize the nature of the structure, such as the Contemporary English Version, which says, "The sacred tent used for a temple was open," or the Aramaic Bible in Plain English, which confirms, "the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony was opened in Heaven."
Contemporary Witness: Testimony of Light
Beyond the biblical text, Testimony of Light is about life after death—and the amazing story of a friendship that endured beyond the veil. This classic book is a testament to the enduring power of friendship and offers an important message to us all—that the death of the body is but a gentle passing to a much freer and fuller life.
The story focuses on Frances Banks, who was an Anglican nun for 25 years and for much of that time, the principal of the Teachers' Training College in Grahamstown, South Africa. She was the author of many psychological books; her last book was Frontiers of Revelation, an account of research into psychic and mystical phenomena. Frances Banks died, as she had lived, fully aware of what she was experiencing and where she hoped to go.
Her friend Helen Greaves was by her side as she finally lapsed into unconsciousness. Then, one evening some three weeks after Frances's death, Helen sensed her presence. This extraordinary encounter marked the beginning of contact between them from both sides of the veil—between life as we know it and life on "the other side." Testimony of Light is based on these communications that Helen received telepathically from Frances. The writings have been authenticated by those who knew them both and who were familiar with their individual writing styles.
Legacy and Literary Reception
HELEN GREAVES lived in the United Kingdom and was the author of several books of metaphysics, including The Challenging Light, The Dissolving Veil, and The Wheel of Eternity. Since it was first published in 1969, Testimony of Light has remained in print and has touched the lives of many.
The book has received numerous accolades from various publications:
- Prediction magazine: "A classic . . . deserves every accolade. . . . A must-read for those interested in our sojourns in the afterlife."
- The Science of Thought Review: "Never have we read such a spontaneous, simple, direct, happy and instructive series of scripts from 'the other side.'"
- Churches Fellowship News: "A glass of spiritual champagne"
- Pat Chalfant, Past Life Times: "If you've never read anything that described existence on the other side of life, I think you couldn't start with a better book"