Revelation 11

Revelation 11 (NIV)

In this chapter we have a description of the measuring of the dimensions of the temple, the two witnesses, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet as well as what followed the trumpet blast.

The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.

There is another vision that has to do with measuring the temple located in Ezekiel 40:3. It seems that Ezekiel’s measurements were for the purpose of rebuilding the temple, but in this scripture John is given the task of measuring not only the temple, but also the altar and the worshippers. The purpose of measuring the temple at this time is not clear. It would seem that the measurements in this case are not in regards to the physical size of the objects, but rather their spiritual worthiness. The measure seems to be of worth or holiness. The other theory on the measurements is so that it can be preserved according to those physical measurements.

The court is not to be measured, also giving credibility to the measurement being of a spiritual nature rather than physical. The one theory is that Herod had built additions to the temple, building an outer court and calling it the “court of the gentiles” and so since it wasn’t part of the original temple, it would not be preserved. However, since the time that it is trodden under foot is forty-two months, and that time matches the time that the anti-christ is allowed to reign, it would seem that those who worship in the outer court are rejected. They are false worshippers and hypocrites who have distorted the relationship with God into a secular religion and are not worthy of spiritual measurement. God opened the veil to the inner court with the death of his son. That is where he wants us to worship. The outer court no longer has a purpose, and therefore is rejected as being part of the temple of God as would be those who still worship there.

3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lamp-stands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

We do not know who they are, however, it would seem that no matter who they are, they are God’s faithful ministers, who continue to serve God no matter what the conditions, even in the worst of times. They are clothed in sackcloth, which represents mourning. It seems that they are mourning the spiritual condition of the world. They are called the two olive trees and also the two lamp-stands. This shows that they are holy and righteous before God and they keep themselves burning in zeal for God.

They are protected by God. There were times in the bible when God’s prophets were given the power to call fire from heaven. This is the only time it seems that the fire comes out of their mouths. This could represent the truth that they speak, the power of the word of God destroying all of those who would oppose it. They are given the power also to control the rain, and they can bring plagues to the earth at their discretion. The turning of the waters into blood is reminiscent of Moses turning the rivers of Egypt into blood, as are the mention of plagues. It is possible that those plagues will be seen again on the earth at the bidding of these two witnesses.

7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

Notice the beast is not freed to attack them until their testimony is finished. Then and only then is the beast allowed to kill them. This is only by the permission of God and in his timing for a specific purpose. They are immortal until their work is finished and given the power to overcome any who would harm them until that time. In an uncaring and callous display, their bodies are left in public in the great city. This city has not been revealed, but it is in the same monstrously abundant wickedness as those other cities mentioned… Sodom and Egypt. Sodom was full of sin and Egypt was full of idolatry. During the three and a half days their bodies are left in the public square, people from all over the world will see them, yet no-one will bury them. They are glad to be rid of the witnesses and their constant prophesies, especially since anyone who tried to harm them had failed.

11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

After three and a half days, the witnesses are resurrected and called into heaven in the presence of their enemies. This could be a reference to Lazarus, who was brought back to life after four days, when it was thought to be impossible. God not only resurrects the witnesses, he does it in the presence of many witnesses, who are struck with terror. Then he takes them into heaven while those same people are still watching.

13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Now, in the midst of the onlooker’s fear, a huge earthquake hits the city and a tenth of it collapses. Seven thousand people die in the destruction, but in the aftermath, the survivors give glory to God. This seems to indicate that those remaining repent and embrace the truth of God.

14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

The Seventh Trumpet

15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Now the final trumpet is sounded with the usual warning. All of heaven begins to rejoice and worship God. This is acknowledging that the end is coming and the kingdom of heaven will reign forever and ever when everything is complete as he has ordained.

19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

In the aftermath of the final trumpet sound, heaven is revealed. Most notable is that specifically, the ark of his covenant is revealed within the temple. This is in the holy of holies. It is brought into the view of all, no longer only a spiritual dwelling for us, but a physical one that has been revealed to all who are watching. And great atmospheric upheaval accompanies this revelation. It seems that it is the beginning of the very end.
Footnotes:
a Revelation 11:4 See Zech. 4:3,11,14.
b Revelation 11:11 Or Spirit (see Ezek. 37:5,14)