Verse 1. “Then there
was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, ‘Get up
and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in
it.’”
It is not clear just who the “someone”
is that now speaks to John, but the voice carries God’s authority and
will refer to a work that would reveal much of the intentions of God
to those who read these words over the centuries. The measuring rod
is interesting. We can only measure that which EXISTS, and this verse
refers to a very real place, event and people. The place is the
temple of God, and in places like 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, we find that
the real temple is composed of people, not buildings. His true temple
consists of those who love Him.
A typical measuring device of that era was taken
from the reeds of cane that grew along rivers, such as the Jordan
River, in Israel, and these canes could reach 12, 15, or even 20 feet
in length. This act of measuring speaks of God’s regard for His
people, for it was well known at the time that to publicly measure the
building was a way of praising its magnificence. God really delights
in His people and He KNOWS them. The “altar” represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for you and
me.
Verse 2. “Leave out the
court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has
been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy
city for forty-two months.”
A literal temple made of stone and steel may well
be built before and/or during the time of the Great Tribulation that
is to come upon this world. However, as stated, such a place always
was symbolic of something much greater in the sight of God, and that
is – people – who have given their hearts, minds and lives to the
Lord. “Outside”
really means “cast
out,” for God keeps you SAFE within His Holy Place,
filled with and directed by the Holy Spirit of God. But those who
reject Him will be “cast
out” of His presence by their own choice.
“Forth-two
months” is precisely three and one-half years, which is
half of the seven year period of Great Tribulation that will be
endured by this world. The time will be the end of this age. Note
that the only part of the “temple”
to be measured is the Holy of Holies, the inner portion. The word “nations”
in this verse is actually “Gentiles”
– These are godless Gentiles who do not trust in the Lord, and they
will occupy the “holy
city” for the first half of the Great Tribulation. The
place may well be Jerusalem, in Israel, for the earthly perspective of
this Book of Revelation is certainly that city.
Verse 3. “And I will
grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve
hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
“Twelve
hundred and sixty days”
is exactly the same as the “forty-two
months” mentioned in the preceding verse and in
Revelation 13:5 – three and one-half years, the first half of the
Great Tribulation which is to come upon this world. “Tribulation”
means trouble, which is intensified for those who reject the God of
all creation. In this time of great difficulty, “two
witnesses” will be seen, as described in the following
verses. Note these are “MY”
two witnesses, for they are the Lord’s.
The identity of these “two
witnesses” has been confidently asserted by many, and
ideas as to who they are, include Moses, Elijah, Enoch, or
interestingly that they will be two (2) groups of prophets from 1)
Israel and 2) the Gentiles. Dr. J. Vernon McGee said that it is “a
very smart thing” to “not
even attempt to identify them.” “Two”
is the required number of witnesses under the Law (Deuteronomy 17:6),
and the world is certainly under the judgment (in the court) of God,
as reflected by the “sackcloth”
(garments of mourning) on these prophets.
Verse 4. “These are the
two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of
the earth.”
Zechariah the prophet was awakened by an angel,
who showed him items including “lampstands”
next to “two olive
trees” (Zechariah 4:1 & forward). He asked the angel
what they were, and the angel replied, “’Not
by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts”
(Zechariah 4:6). Oil from olive trees empowered the “lampstands”
in the Jerusalem temple, representing the Holy Spirit of God. He IS
the “oil” that fills and directs the
people of God, including the “two
witnesses” of these verses.
The “lampstands”
were defined in Revelation 1:20, as representative of the church.
Keep in mind that the Greek word for “church”
is “ecclesia,”
which was actually an idiomatic phrase, denoting the “called
out ones” of God. The “rapture”
of the church could have occurred in Revelation 4:1, and these could
be “called out
ones” that received Christ after that event. It is not
specified, but keep reading the newspapers, for very soon all this
will strike the whole earth.
Verse 5. “And if anyone
wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their
enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this
way.”
Certainly God offers protection to His people.
No harm shall come to these prophets, whether they are two men or two
multitudes, until the time God allows it. Any “harm”
in life, by the way, is designed to nudge us closer to God and bring
us further into His will. God’s people are kept safe by abilities God
gives them for the moment of trouble, and by the miracles He
provides. So it is for all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We
are safe in Him.
The “fire”
from the mouths of these prophets may well be the MESSAGE they speak.
When Jesus’ enemies came to arrest Him, He asked them, “’Whom
are you seeking?’
And they answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’”
He said to them, “I
am He,” and they “drew
back and fell to the ground” (John 18:5-6). He could
stop them by a word. The “fire”
in this verse may also be a literal burning-up of those attacking the
prophets; but these “enemies”
will ultimately be destroyed by the Word of God.
Verse 6. “These have
the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the
days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn
them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often
as they desire.”
This verse is a key reason why many decide Elijah
and Moses are prime candidates to be the “lampstands”
and/or “olive trees” of these verses.
Elijah shut up the sky so that it did not rain for three years through
prayer and the will of God (James 5:17-18, 1 Kings 17:1, 18:1).
Turning the waters into “blood” and
striking the “earth with every plague”
is reminiscent of Moses, when he, through the power of God, was
battling Pharaoh for the freedom of the nation Israel (Exodus 7 &
forward).
It’s important to see that such miracles are not
from the men who delivered them, but instead they are the power of
God. The Lord provides miracles – We merely do what He says. Now,
these prophets COULD be Moses and Elijah, but not necessarily, for God
DELIGHTS in doing the work through anyone He chooses, especially
picking those who are clearly unable to do it. That’s precisely the
Spirit’s message through Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:27 & context – “God
has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise,
and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the
things which are mighty.”
Verse 7. “When they
have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the
abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.”
Anyone who feels that God will not allow physical
harm to come to His people, His faithful ones, should read this
verse. It’s very clear: These people will be unbeatable (verses 5 &
6) UNTIL they have, from God’s perspective, finished their testimony
about Him. When their purpose in this world is done, they will be
rescued, taken OUT of this place, during the time of the Great
Tribulation.
What a great assurance for all of us. We’ll be
rescued! Death seems so harsh, and yet, for those who trust in the
Lord, it is a guaranteed RESCUE from the distress of this life – He
will not let us suffer unnecessarily. And yet, this is so
interesting: He will allow this “beast”
to be the direct agent in overcoming them. This is reminiscent of Job
Chapter 1, in which “Satan” was
allowed, within certain limits, to bring harm to Job, God’s servant.
Verse 8. “And their
dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically
is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was
crucified.
There are really two cities called “Jerusalem”
(“possession of peace”) in
Scripture. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (354-430), held the idea of two
cities. He taught that there is not only a city on earth, Jerusalem,
but also a city of God by that name, an eternal city. The first is
ruled by men’s government and is the place of men’s religions. The
City of God is made up of all who truly love the Lord, and we see this
city in Revelation 21:2, “coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
This verse (11:8) does not speak well for the
earthly Jerusalem. Prophets of God have been murdered in that place
and vicinity for thousands of years, and God is not pleased about it.
From His perspective, that city is like “Sodom,”
the place of sin, and “Egypt” where
God’s people were enslaved. There’s no doubt this verse speaks of the
earthly Jerusalem, because it was where “their
Lord was crucified.” Now at this moment, more of God’s
prophets are seen as “dead bodies…
in the street of the great city.”
Verse 9. “Those from
the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead
bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead
bodies to be laid in a tomb.”
Notice that people from ALL the earth are
intensely interested in these dead prophets of God. We’ll see more
about their reasoning in the next verse, but right now, it’s important
to note that these prophets will draw the attention of just about
everyone on earth. As we shall see, representatives from those who
speak every language and who are of all colors, shapes, sizes, etc. –
All will be pleased at the death of these “two
witnesses” and will not want them buried until they have been
able to gloat over them.
Keep in mind that the Book of Revelation is in
large part the minutes of a heavenly court – Evidence is being
presented that will convict and sentence the human race for sin
against God. That sin is very complete at the time of this verse, for
we see that our race murders the very people sent to them from the
Lord to offer hope and salvation. We are being allowed to look at the
totality of sin in the world. As in the world before the Flood, God
will not long stay His Hand of Judgment.
Verse 10. “And those
who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they
will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented
those who dwell on the earth.”
Here’s what the enemy wants – To REJOICE over the
dead bodies of those who 1) trust in God and 2) teach others to do the
same. It would seem that, at the point in time of this verse, there
will be little or no faith left on earth. These murders will actually
become an opportunity for people to send cheerful gifts to one
another, because they had been “tormented”
by the Word of God through His prophets.
The reason they were tormented is interesting: It
was simply because they hated the Gospel message of faith in God
through Jesus Christ. It is not so different right now. Every day,
at least one person is killed for their faith, somewhere in this
world. Just as they killed our Lord, many rejoice in the death of His
saints, but to the Lord, every such death is “precious”
in His sight (Psalm 46:10), for He indeed loves those who trust in
Him.
Verse 11. “But after
the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them,
and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were
watching them.”
Some have taught this “three
and a half days” really represents “years,” stating that this
verse marks the halfway point in the 7-year Great Tribulation. This
is indeed possible, but it makes you wonder: How do we REALLY know
that such “days” are actually years?
We do see this for certain, though: These prophets, whoever they are,
will live, and then they’ll be dead, killed by those who hate the
Lord, and subsequently they will LIVE again, because God will make it
so.
This will be a televised event. The “whole
world” will be watching them; much like most of the world closely
watched the events following the assassination of U.S. President John
F. Kennedy. This would be like attending a funeral, where suddenly
the deceased sits up in the coffin and raises his hand – Those of this
world will be terrified when these men, dead for 3½ days, unexpectedly are
raised to life by the power of God.
Verse 12. “And they
heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ Then
they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched
them.”
Not unlike Revelation 4:1, this verse has been
considered as the time when the “rapture”
of the church will occur. That these “two
witnesses” are taken up is indeed a “rapture”
for them, but it does not say that all are raised to heaven at this
time. Note it is not “when” the rapture occurs that is important to
you, but the real question is: Will you be with Him? There are only
two kinds of people, and the second kind, God’s enemies, will just be
able to watch, as His friends are taken up to glory. Are you His
friend? There WILL be a “rapture,”
as seen in many Scriptures, including the following:
“After a time of
trouble, such as never was…
many of
those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt”
(Daniel 12:1-2). The “rapture.” “For
as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive”
(1 Corinthians 15:22). “For the Lord Himself
will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel,
and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (raptured)
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And
thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians
4:16-17). Trust in The Lord, and you WILL be with Him – forever!
Verse 13. “And in that
hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven
thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were
terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Even at the time of this verse, late in history,
there may yet be some who turn to the Lord. Note that God not only
woos us to be His people, but He will also SHAKE us into reality, if
necessary. Just after the “two witnesses”
arise from the dead, to the amazement of the people of earth; a great
earthquake hits. This is the concluding event of the judgment of the
sixth trumpet, first seen in Revelation 9:13. Thousands will be
killed by the quake, which will destroy a significant part of the “city”
which is identified in verse 8, as the place where “the
Lord was crucified.”
God the Father sent His son, that “whoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John
3:16). All trouble in the world, like this earthquake, is carefully
allowed, with the intent that we might turn from selfishness and trust
in the Lord, who will save us. The survivors of this earthquake
cannot deny they have seen the wonders of God, and they acknowledge
Him in their fear. The “battlefield conversion” is necessary for many
on earth. Most would not turn to Him, unless they are first blasted
out of complacency or frightened out of self-absorption. It’s time to
TRUST in Jesus Christ.
Verse 14. “The second
woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.”
The “woes” upon
mankind were introduced in Revelation 8:13, where an angel said with a
loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants
of the earth,” because of the three angels who were about to
blast their trumpets. Creatures similar to “locusts” are to be released in relation to the first woe, and they
will cause much suffering. Revelation 9:12 subsequently announces, “One
woe is past; behold two more woes are coming after these things.”
After that, the sixth angel will sound his
trumpet, and massive armies, which are more likely supernatural than
natural, are to be released on the world, resulting in the destruction
of a third of mankind. At the moment of this verse, the third woe is
“coming quickly” and when you look at
the future of humanity, it’s obvious that NOW is the time to receive
Jesus Christ, for even the daily newspapers show us that life here on
earth is not getting any better.
Verse 15. “Then the
seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of
His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.’”
Don’t you like the confidence of the seventh
angel in this verse? – It’s a confidence based on faith in the Lord.
This seventh angel now sounds his trumpet, saying, “The
kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His
Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” That’s the truth,
and it’s also prophesy; for just a few moments in time remain before
this truth is to be outwardly revealed in its full sense.
From the angel’s confident assertion, we should
conclude: The end of this world system is certain. And, if you’re
upset by what you read in the daily newspapers, take heart, for the
world will soon be “the kingdom of our Lord
and of His Christ.” He will reign, in my life and yours – for
all time! This is not like agreements between people that unravel in
a few days or years. TRUST in
the Lord and He will be there for you - Forever!
Verse 16. “And the
twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their
faces and worshiped God,”
These are the same 24-elders we first saw in
Revelation 4:4, who fell on their faces at that time and worshipped
God (Revelation 4:10-11). They cast their crowns before Him and
acknowledged that He is worthy! We catch a glimpse of them in a
number of places, such as Revelation 5:8-9, where they are seen with “the
four living creatures.” Each of them held a “bowl”
containing your prayers and mine, before the Lamb of God, Jesus
Christ. They are seen in Revelation 7:11, again falling down before
the Lord, in their love and worship of Him.
It is REASONABLE to worship God. Included in
worship is recognition of who God is. We discover that He is
wonderful! Worship is a form of love – The young lover often says to
his intended, “I worship you,” and all understand that he speaks of
his love for her. These elders cannot contain their wonder at our
magnificent, gracious Lord, and our hearts should burst with love for
Him who loves us, to the extent that He even died for you and me.
Verse 17. “saying, ‘We
give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were,
because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.’”
How good it is and how reasonable and proper for
us to give THANKS to our Lord God. He has set us free for a time on
this earth, so we may decide if we believe in and truly love Him. His
reign is inevitable and it is already beginning in your heart and
mine, but many are in denial about Him. Most clutch to things of this
world, such as health, wisdom, fame, money, prestige and power. Such
advantages are only temporary and they are passing away.
To the extent that we trust in ourselves or some
other person, and do not give THANKS to God Almighty, we do not
understand God’s will or the reason for life. We were created in
love, but for His intentions and not our own. Just as the judgments
of these verses reveal that His good purposes may sometimes be
painful, we must, like these 24-elders, look through the temporary and
into the everlasting, where we see the face of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who loves you and me. Pray with me: Lord, teach me to trust, to love,
and then, Lord, reign in me.
Verse 18. “And the
nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the
dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the
prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and
the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
“The nations were
enraged.” This is the basis of our fears, and also our
unbelief, which is a willful decision on the part of many in this
world. People want what they want when they want it, and are angry
when they don’t get their way. Denial of human ambitions can make us
afraid, when we don’t trust in God. But note that there is a time of
Judgment and Reward that is coming upon this world. Underneath it
all, everyone knows it, and those who don’t believe in Him are enraged
because their time is short.
Our faithful attitudes and actions will be
rewarded and our unbelief, which is a willing denial of reality and a
refusal of God’s Provision, will be judged. Those who are concerned
about the condition of this planet, by the way, should look at this
verse and rejoice. It is Self-Will that ultimately is the cause of
the ruin of this place. If the earth gets in the way, it is polluted
and destroyed. Those who destroy this planet will be destroyed, but
those who “fear” (trust) the Lord will receive His reward.
Verse 19. “And the
temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His
covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning
and sounds and peals of thunder and an
earthquake and a great hailstorm.”
What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? We
find in places like 2 Chronicles 36:18-19, that Nebuchadnezzar of
Babylon destroyed the house of God, but not until he first looted the
place, taking its treasures to Babylon. A non-Biblical account stated
that Jeremiah the prophet took the Ark and hid it, prior to the
sacking of Jerusalem. Books, movies and preachers have addressed
this, and have come up with many fanciful ideas. But the true Ark of
the Covenant, the meeting place between God and mankind, is revealed
to us right now.
It is in His temple, in heaven, kept safe for you and me. It can
be argued that we are the temple of God and the Ark is in our midst,
not only for those of Israel who trust in Him, but also for those
Gentiles who have faith in the Lord. Nothing, neither the Ark nor you
and me; nothing is ever lost to God. These thunders, lightning
strikes, earthquakes and hailstorms mean LOSS to people on earth, but
they are a comforting reminder to us. Our “temple” on earth may be
sacked and we may lose everything! Yet, if we are in Christ, in God,
we lose nothing, for all is safe when you trust in Him.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
P.O. Box 92131
Long Beach, CA
90809-2131 USA
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org
