We continue on with the interlude we were looking at in Chapter Ten.
Rev 11:1-2 The Measuring of the Temple
1) John is no longer just a spectator in the scene but now a actor. This is one of those sections in the book of Revelation that prevents us from thinking of John having a vision or a dream. Here John is interacting with characters within the story. In other places in Revelation John has conversations with characters within the story.
“there was given me a measuring rod like a staff”
“Someone said, ‘Rise and measure the Temple of God
Rev 11:1
2) Measure.
Much the same meaning as the sealing we saw in Chapter Seven.
a) 11 Sam 8:1-2 Separated the two groups.
i) One set aside for destruction.
ii) One set aside for protection.
b) Ezek 40:2 – 42:20.
To divide between the holy and the profane.
Ezek 22:26; 44:23 The difference between the holy and the profane.
c) Zech 2:1-5 No need of walls for protection.
d) 11 Kings 21:13; Isa 28:16
Signifies destruction or a portion marked off.
The idea here is the dividing or separation of the clean from the unclean.
3) He measured three things.
a) “The Temple
i) 1 Cor 3:16-17 “…you are a temple of God
ii) 11 Cor “For we are the temple of the living God.”
iii) Eph 2:19-22 “… the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord;…”
b) “The Altar”
The worship and the service of the church.
c) “Those who worship in it”
Ezek 34:17, 20, 31 The members of the church.
The three parts of the temple which John was commanded to measure are closely related to each other. We have the church as a whole, and then we have the worship of the church. Finally we have the members of the church. What is very important is that each part is right with God. We can see what happens below if they are not right with God.
This can be directly applied to our churches today. As Christians we must be members of a church which is expectable before God. Our worship within that church must be as God commanded and each member of the church must be expectable before God. To fail to follow this will place us among those in the court outside the temple (see point 4 below), the one John was told not to measure.
4) He did not measure.
“the court which is outside the temple”
“The court” - The uncovered yard outside the house. There were usually two, one between the door and the street, the outer court, the other the inner court surrounded by the buildings Mark 14:66. This is here the outer court, “which is without the temple" outside of the sanctuary, but within the temple walls where the Gentiles could go (carrying out the imagery of the Jerusalem
Robertson’s NT Word Pictures – Online Bible.
This is part of the church but they have been already judged. The idea here is that parts of the church will fall away but the true heart of the church (the temple) will remain firm forever.
The temple and altar therefore, with their attendant worshippers, represent "the Israel of God, "whom he owns as his true people; while the outer court of the temple and the city thronged with Gentiles, represent the multitude of both church officers and people who are Christian only in name.
The temple and altar therefore, with their attendant worshippers, represent "the Israel of God, "whom he owns as his true people; while the outer court of the temple and the city thronged with Gentiles, represent the multitude of both church officers and people who are Christian only in name.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
"21 Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?'
23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers.'” Matt 7:21-23
This vision highlights a very serious problem within the Christian world. Many people believe they are right with God. They say they follow Him and do many things in his name but how they follow Christ and how they worship Him is wrong.
Is worshiping incorrectly a salvation issue?
Well by its self, particularly for person knows of no better way then maybe it is not a salvation issue. It’s impossible to be sure so we must leave the final call on this to God. But where people go wrong is when a better, more scriptural way is presented to them they chose to reject it in favour of their old ways.
When the truth is presented to them, their rejecting it is in much the same way as the Jews rejected Christianity. This is what puts them into the court outside the temple – they refuse to accept the truth when they see it.
The second problem this vision highlights is worshipping and following Christ from the heart.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not the result of works, that no one should boast.” Eph 2:8-9.
The scripture above points out that we are saved by faith not good works. But don’t misunderstand this point. Works are important as well. Jesus said “Therefore bring forth fruits in keeping with your repentance.” Matt 3:8.
What is needed for salvation is works combined with, driven by faith. It is works and deeds coming from a heart of faith that makes all the difference. This is what these people seen in the outer court of this vision lack.
5) The time the outer court and Holy City
42 months – Symbolic time not a literal time.
Note below in verse 3 – 1260 days.
42 months of 30 days to the month is 1260 days.
42 months is 3½ years – “time, times and half a time.”
Meaning:-
42 months – Persecution Rev11:2; Rev 13:5
1260 days – Victory Rev 11:3; Rev 12:6.
3½ years – Protection Rev 12:14 Dan 7:25
The same time is given different meanings by being stated in different ways.
6) Meaning of this Measuring.
Two thoughts:-
a) The protection of God’s people.
b) The separation of God’s people from the world or even the worldly church.
This prophetical passage about measuring the temple seems to refer to Ezekiel’s vision. (See Ezek 40:2 – 42:20) The design of this measuring seems to be the preservation of the church in times of public danger; or for its trial, or for its reformation. The worshippers must be measured; whether they make God's glory their end, and his word their rule, in all their acts of worship. Those in the outer court, worship in a false manner, or with dissembling hearts, and will be found among his enemies.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary – Online Bible.
One question remains:– Is this temple measured here the Temple Jerusalem
We know that when John received and wrote Revelation, the Temple Jerusalem
Revelation was written at the end of a transition period where the old Jewish system was being done away with and the new Christian system was being established. Soon the Roman general Titus would destroy the Temple Jerusalem Temple
Even today God still prevents the Jews from re-establishing their temple worship by preventing them from using the temple site. This site is the only place where God instructed that the Temple Temple
Rev 11:3-13 The Two Witnesses.
1) Who were they?
a) “Clothed in sackcloth.”
Garments of humiliation and affliction.
Gen 37:34; 11 Kings 19:1; Esther 4:1-4; Job 16;15; Psa 35:13
“Clothed in sackcloth”; expressive of their afflicted and persecuted condition.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
b) Two roles.
i) Prophets Rev 11:3 & 6
ii) Martyrs Rev 11:6-7
c) Shown to be:-
“two olive trees and two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the Earth.”
See Zech 4:1-14
“The two olive-trees--the two candlesticks;” Compare Zech 4:2-6,11-14, from which the imagery is taken, but with free changes. Oil is a symbol of divine grace: a lamp replenished with oil and shining brightly, represents the light of a holy life and holy doctrine. The two witnesses are God's two olive-trees and two candlesticks, because they are the repositories of his grace, and the lights, which he has appointed to shine in this dark world.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
d) Who was anointed?
i) Priests Ex 29:7; Ex 40:15.
ii) Kings 1 Sam 16:1-2
iii) Prophets Isa 61:1-2
e) Two – Strength and courage in prophesying God’s word.
“My two witnesses”; representing the few who continued faithful to God during this long period of general apostasy. Two witnesses are probably named, because two were required by the Mosaic Law to constitute valid testimony. Deut 17:6; .
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
f) The Time they shall prophesy.
See notes on Rev 11:2.
In this case the emphasis is on victory.
“A thousand two hundred and threescore days”; 1260 days, the same as "forty and two months, "verse Rev 11:2, reckoning thirty days to a month.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
This period is the same time period as we saw earlier in this Chapter under the Measuring of the Temple
g) Their Powers
They were shown to have the powers of Moses, the greatest lawgiver, and Elijah, the greatest prophet.
Moses:-
“power over the waters to turn them into blood.” Ex -25
“power to “smite the earth with every plague” Ex 7 – 12.
Elijah:-
“power to shut up the sky in order that rain may not fall” 1 Kings 17:1
call fire on their enemies “fire proceeds out of their mouth”
11 Kings 1:9-10
“caught up in a cloud” 11 Kings 2:11
2) The Gospel.
a) Gospel is preached with remarkable power.
A period of miraculous powerful preaching. This is the Apostolic Period when the gospel was preached throughout the known world.
In the time of treading down, God kept his faithful witnesses to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellence of his ways, the number of these witnesses is small, yet enough. They prophesy in sackcloth. It shows their afflicted, persecuted state, and deep sorrow for the abominations against which they protested. They are supported during their great and hard work, till it is done. When they had prophesied in sackcloth the greatest part of 1260 days, antichrist, the great instrument of the devil, would war against them, with force and violence for a time. Determined rebels against the light rejoice, as on some happy event, when they can silence, drive to a distance, or destroy the faithful servants of Christ, whose doctrine and conduct torment them.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary – Online Blble.
b) The Gospel is seemingly crushed.
i) “the beast that comes up out of the abyss”
Satan, the one who attempted to crush the testimony of the Gospel. Rev 9:1-3 & 11
If he could crush the Gospel he crushes the work and message of Christ and destroys God’s plan of redemption for mankind.
ii) “Dead bodies in the streets.”
They were killed so seemly their preaching was over. The time of persecution that came upon the church did make it seem as if the Gospel had been defeated.
iii) “The great city”
These three taken together equal Rome
iv) Bodies were not laid in a tomb.”
To add to their insult they did “not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.”
v) Rejoiced over them.
The people of the world rejoiced because those who had been annoying them with Gospel preaching had been destroyed.
The people of the world rejoiced because those who had been annoying them with Gospel preaching had been destroyed.
c) Resurrection of the Gospel.
i) “3½ days”
A short period of time.
ii) “went up into heaven.”
Symbolic victory.
iii) “ and their enemies beheld them.”
When Christians came through the Domitianic persecution the power of God was demonstrated through them and their message was vindicated (justified).
iv) “Great Earthquake”
Symbolic of a great upheaval in the current social order.
Here is God’s power over Satan, when all was lost, when all seemed as if Satan had won the Gospel returned stronger and more powerful than before. The Church came back preaching more boldly and with greater numbers than ever before.
There is also a parallel between this vision and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The vision of the two witnesses falls into three sections. With power they prophesy 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. Identified as the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the throne of God, they have the power to devour with fire from their mouths those who wish to harm them. They also have power to stop the rain during the days of their prophesying, to turn water to blood, and to strike the earth with plagues (Rev 6:3-6).
But when their testimony is completed, the beast from the bottomless pit makes war with them and kills them. For three and half days their bodies lay in the street of the great city that is spiritually called Sodom Egypt
However, after three and a half days they are raised to life and ascend into heaven, bringing great fear on those who saw them. In the same hour a great earthquake occurs in which a tenth of the city fell and 7000 men were killed. The rest who saw this were afraid and gave glory to God (-13).
The two witnesses are certainly reminiscent of Moses and Elijah, but I do not believe they portend two literal persons. Rather, they represent the witness of the church, with the number two signifying the strength of their witness (e.g., "two or more witnesses"). As suggested by Hailey, the first period may be the apostolic age during which the witnesses could not be destroyed. When their testimony is completed, there will be a time of persecution by "the beast" and those of "the great city" (who will be identified later). Ultimately, however, the witnesses (i.e., the church) will be victorious, symbolized by their resurrection and ascension to heaven.
Revelation Notes by Mark Copeland - pg 47
Overview – The Story so Far.
We are still in the throne scene of Chapter 4. We saw Jesus, the only one found worthy enough, come forward and open the sealed book. After the first six seals, that were warnings of God’s coming judgement, there was an interlude where we were told that God is still in control and Christians were given hope.
We then moved on to the seventh seal, that when opened presented us with seven angels standing ready to blow seven trumpets. As each trumpet was blow, a picture was presented to us of a plague that was sent upon evil mankind, particularly against the Roman Empire .
Finally still under the heading of the seventh seal we come to another interlude before we move on to the seventh trumpet.
In this interlude – Four things discussed.
1) Rev 10:1-7. The Unutterable Thunders.
A mighty angel takes an oath that there is to be no more delay, God’s judgement is at hand.
2) Rev 10:8-11. The Little Book.
God’s message of Judgement is to be proclaimed in all its sweetness and all its bitterness.
3) Rev 11:1-2. The Measuring of the Temple
John measures the Temple, the altar and those who worship. God’s people are known and protected by Him.
4) Rev 11:3-13. The Two Witnesses.
a. There will be a strong witness of the Gospel.
b. Followed by a period of distress and persecution.
c. But the Gospel will prevail in the end.
Notice how these four visions fit together. First we had The Unutterable Thunders, a messenger from God who in the next vision presented God’s word in the form of a little book. The message of this book it further revealed in the next two visions of the Measuring of the Temple
Now we move on to the Seventh Trumpet – The Third Woe.
The Seventh Trumpet
The Second Woe is Past.
The Third Woe Has Come.
The second woe was the sixth trumpet that now has pasted. The third woe, which is the seventh trumpet, has now come.
The 1965 Basic English Bible puts this verse “The second Trouble is past: see, the third Trouble comes quickly.” I like the way this is put using the word trouble instead of woe but of course most versions translate this word as ‘woe’.
Rev 11:15-19 The Seventh Trumpet
This vision is in fact the ‘door’ or opening leading to the rest of the book of Revelation as we approach a major milestone or turning point in the Revelation story.
1) “Song of loud voices”
Victory song, the Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of the World has become the Kingdom of God
“Great voices in heaven”; rejoicing over the rapid and triumphant spread of the gospel.
Family New Testament Notes – Online Bible.
2) Song of the twenty-four elders.
Thanks given.
Song of praise to God, very similar to .
3) “Reward.”
A promise of a reward is given to the prophets, to the saints and to those who fear God’s name.
4) “Destruction”
The reward to the saints is to see God’s judgement upon the wicked.
5) “Ark
This is the Ark
The Ark of the Covenant was a reminder that God would keep His covenant with man. Here the meaning is the same, God is still faithful and He will still keep His covenant with Man.
6) Lightning, thunder, earthquake and hail.
These are signs of the presence of God, the wrath of God.
7) This passage talks as if God’s judgement is already complete.
Overview – The Story so Far.
We have reached the end of Chapter 11 out of a book of 22 chapters. Just as we reach half way in the number of chapters we have also reached a major turning point in the Revelation story. It is perhaps only now that we can begin to get a picture of the book as a whole. Let’s list the sections we have studied so far and see how they all fit together.
The Seven Churches of Asia .
The Introduction Rev 1:1 – 3:22
The Vision of the Son of Man.
Letters to the Seven Churches. Rev 2:1 – 3:22
Smyrna
Pergamum
Thyatira - “Where Jezebel is.” Rev 2:18-29
The Vision of the Seven Seals. Rev 4:1 – 11:19
The Throne Scene Rev Chapter 4
The Lamb and the Sealed Book. Rev Chapter 5
First Six seals are broken. Rev Chapter 6
The Four Horsemen. Rev 6:1-8
The Souls Under the Altar. Rev 6:9-11
Warning of the Coming Judgement. Rev 6:12-17
An Interlude:- What about the saints? Rev Chapter 7
The Seventh Seal is broken. Rev Chapter 8 – 11
The First four trumpets. Rev Chapter 8
The First Trumpet – Land Disaster. Rev 8:7
The Second Trumpet – Maritime Disaster. Rev 8:8-9
The Third Trumpet – Freshwater Disaster. Rev 8:10-11
The Fourth Trumpet – Disaster in the Sky.
The Three Woes.
The 5th & 6th trumpets. Rev Chapter 9
The Fifth Trumpet – The First Woe.
The Plague of Locusts – Internal Decay. Rev 9:1-11
The Sixth Trumpet – The Second Woe.
The Army of Horsemen – External Enemies. Rev 9:13-21
An Interlude:- More hope given to the Christians. Rev 10:1 – 11:13
The Seventh Trumpet – The Third Woe. Rev 11:14 – 19
“God’s Judgement has come.”
The Struggle between God and Satan. Rev 12:1 – 20:10
Mark Copeland explains:- With the seventh trumpet we reach the climax of the first half of the Revelation, in which we have been shown an overall look at the conflict. In general terms, the conflict between the Lamb and His enemies has been described, without really mentioning who those enemies are. What has been stressed is that the wrath of God and His Lamb was coming! Through the visions of the seven seals and seven trumpets we learn of the arsenal at God's disposal: military conquest, civil war, famine, pestilence, natural calamities, internal and moral decay, and external invasion. Just as God used such instruments in His dealings with the nations in the Old Testament, so His Son would use His power to reign over the nations with a rod of iron, Rev 1:5; 2:27; 3:21. We have also seen visions designed to comfort the saints being oppressed by their enemies. God has taken notice of their suffering, and while persecution may temporarily be their lot, victory will ultimately be theirs! Even those who suffer death at the hands of their enemies are promised salvation and the blessing of being in the presence and care of the Lord. But nothing can totally stop their witness, and nothing can keep God from remaining true to His covenant with them!
Revelation Notes by Mark Copeland pg 48Now as we continue on deeper into Revelation we will see the struggle between Christ and Satan in a different way. Up until now we have focused on God’s announcements and preparations for His judgement but now as God’s judgement has arrived we see Satan and his forces fighting back. The struggle will seem confusing until we come to Chapter 17 where Satan’s assistants will be revealed or explained in greater detail.
There are two theories as to understanding the relationship between the two major sections of Revelation:-
1) The Struggle between God and Evil..
2) God’s Plan is Announced then God’s Plan is Actioned.
1) The Struggle between Good and Evil.
The same story revealed in two different ways.
It is clear, therefore, that the central theme of the first main division, chapters 1-11, is continued in the second. That theme is, as has been indicated, the Victory of the Christ and of His Church over the Dragon and his Helpers. But whereas the first main division, chapters 1-11, pictures the outward struggle between the church and the world, the second part of the book reveals the deeper background. We now see more clearly than in the preceding division that the conflict between church and world is but the outward manifestation of the war between Christ and Satan.
More than Conquerors by William Hendriksen. pg 163.
Up until recently, like William Hendriksen above, I have considered the second part of Revelation to be the same story seen from a different perspective before continuing on into the visions of judgement and eternity. The first half of the book pictured the church struggling with the world, facing the persecutions and compromises thrown in an attempt to destroy the church or led its members astray. The second half of the book reveals that this struggle is in fact part of a greater struggle between Christ with His forces of righteousness and Satan with demons and other forces he raises up.
For a long time this idea fitted my understanding of the Revelation story but when I came to teach a class on Revelation and then write this version of my study you are reading I began to find minor problems with this theory. I also noticed a theme running through the early chapters concerning God, through Christ, giving mankind His salvation plan in the form of a book or a little book. See Rev 5:5-7 and Rev 10:8-11.
2) God’s Plan is Announced then God’s Plan is Actioned.
2) God’s Plan is Announced then God’s Plan is Actioned.
One continuos story.
It is now my current understanding that the second half of Revelation in a continuation of the first half rather than the same story told over again.
Of all the biblical writers the Apostle John is unique. In his Gospel he reaches father into eternity past than any other writer when he says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3. In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John reaches farther into eternity future than any other writer when he says, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev 21:1-2.
Practical Studies in Revelation by Theodore Epp pg 162.
The book of Revelation completes the biblical story. This is the book where the entire Bible story comes together in an exciting climax. God’s plans for mankind are unveiled, evil in the world is overcome by the righteousness of heaven and men then have eternal fellowship with God. Let me explain this in greater detail.
Up until this point in our study we have been viewing a scene in heaven before the throne of God. In Rev 5:5-7 we saw God hand a book to the only one in all of creation who was worthy enough to open it, His son Jesus Christ. This book was sealed with seven seals and it contained God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.
Christ goes on to open this book through a series of visions we know as the seven seals. We can consider these visions as warnings of God’s coming judgement. After some hope and encouragement is offered to the church, we see the final seal being opened which leads us into the next series of visions we know as the seven trumpets. We can consider the trumpets to be announcements that God’s judgement has arrived.
Before the seventh and final trumpet is blown an angel gives the book to John. It is my understanding that this the same book that God gave to Christ in chapter five? When we return to the opening verses of chapter one, we see a chain of command or a chain of communication between God and man. One of the links in this chain is an angel giving God’s word to John. John is told to take this book, eat it and then to prophesy concerning its contents.
Finally we came to the blowing of the seventh trumpet which is the announcement that God’s judgement is here. In the little book now opened, God’s plan and His judgement is shown to us.
From here on the book of Revelation is concerned with this judgement. These next few chapters are the most important part of the book as God’s will and the mysteries of His plan of salvation for mankind are actioned as we view the contents of the little book.
First the forces of Satan and of Christ are shown and their identities revealed. Then Satan and his evil forces are overcome by the righteous and victorious Christ. Judgement of Satan and his allies will then take places and they will be condemned to the lake of fire. Upon Christ’s return we see the judgement of all of mankind which will lead us into the final section of two pictures; the final state of the wicked and the final state of the righteous.
As I said above this second theory as to the understanding of Revelation is new to me and it is developing as I continue to study. Over the past twenty years my understanding of the book has continued to grow and change so I’m not sure this is my last word on the subject.
