Measuring the Temple: The Call to Faithfulness Amidst Turmoil
"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly." - Revelation 11:1-14
The book of Revelation often stirs a mix of fear, confusion, and anticipation within the believer. Among its many prophetic revelations, Revelation 11:1-14 presents a scene rich with symbolism and significance—a scene that invites deep reflection on God’s sovereignty, the faithfulness of His witnesses, and the ultimate hope of resurrection and triumph over evil.
In this passage, we find John given a measuring reed to assess the temple of God. The angel’s command to "rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein" is not merely a task of measurement but a profound reminder of God’s claim over His temple and those who worship within it. It symbolizes God’s protection and ownership amidst impending chaos—the storm of tribulations that is about to unfold. God, the architect of the universe, calls us to recognize that He is still in control, even as the nations rage outside the sanctuary of His people.
The measurement excludes the outer court, indicating that the Gentiles, representing those who stand opposed to God, will trample the holy city for 42 months. The specified length carries symbolic weight, referring to a period of trial which echoes throughout Scripture, suggesting both a time of torment for the faithful and a divine timetable for judgment. The temple’s outer court being left to the Gentiles highlights the reality that the world can often feel hostile to God’s people and His truth. This is a stark call for us to maintain our faith, as we recognize the spiritual conflict that lays before us.
Before the reality of this intense opposition, God assures His people in verses 3-6 with the promise of His two witnesses. Clad in sackcloth, they embody humility and repentance as they bear witness to God’s message in a corrupt world. Their designation as two olive trees and two candlesticks reminds us of the empowerment bestowed upon them by the Spirit of God, reflecting Zechariah 4:11-14, which speaks of the same imagery. This shows that God’s witnesses, often overlooked and underestimated, are empowered to proclaim His truth—testifying boldly against injustice, performing signs and wonders reminiscent of Moses and Elijah.
These witnesses are given divine authority, and as they testify, they foretell judgment amidst the plagues and drought—parallels to Israel’s exodus. The power to withhold rain marks a divine authority that transcends earthly leaders and chaotic waters. This prompts us to reflect on our own response to God's calling. Even when faced with trials, do we release our fears and rise up in our God-given authority to proclaim the gospel and stand for righteousness?
Yet, the narrative takes a dramatic turn in verses 7-10 when the beast rises, overcoming and killing the witnesses. Their gruesome demise, witnessed by a rejoicing world, serves to highlight the depths of human depravity and rejection of God’s truth. The very event that should evoke mourning instead garners celebration among those who rejected divine revelation. It illustrates the spiritual blindness that can blind people to truth and righteousness, provoking a sobering question—are we prepared for the hostility that may come when we walk in God’s ways?
However, despair does not have the final say. In verses 11-14, the dynamic shifts profoundly when, after three and a half days, the Spirit of life from God enters the witnesses, signifying resurrection. Their ascension into heaven amidst upheaval unveils God's ultimate power over life and death; the very witnesses crushed by the world are restored by the Almighty. The calamity that follows—a great earthquake—symbolizes God’s response to the betrayal of His prophets.
In closing, Revelation 11:1-14 speaks to us not as an isolated narrative but as a call to faithfulness, religious integrity, and resilience in the face of trials. Even when the world seems chaotic and unfriendly to our beliefs, let the truth of God’s good news propel us forward. For we have the assurance—just as witnessed in the resurrection of God's faithful witnesses—that the Spirit of life is greater than death and that all glory will eventually return to God.
May we find courage in our calling to be His witnesses, rooted deeply in the assurance of His everlasting presence and the hope of resurrection, knowing that even a darkened world cannot extinguish the light of those who carry His message.
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Revelation 11:1-14 Artwork
Revelation 11:1-14 - "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly."
"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly." - Revelation 11:1-14
Revelation 11:14 - "The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly."
Revelation 1:11
Revelation 1:11
Revelation 14:1
Revelation 1:11
REVELATION 11:4 THE TWO LAMP STANDS AND THE TWO OLIVE TREES
Revelations 1:14
Revelation 11:4 - "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."
"The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly." - Revelation 11:14
Nehemiah 11:11-14
Revelation 14:11 - "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
Luke 11:1-14
Luke 11:1-14
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." - Revelation 11:4
Revelation 1:14 - "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;"
Luke 11:14-15
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 14:6
Revelation 14:3
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 14:1 - "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads."
Revelation 11:1 - "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein."
Revelation 21:11
Revelation 11:9
Revelation 21:11