What does Revelation 11:2 mean?
"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." - Revelation 11:2

Revelation 11:2 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."
This verse is from the book of Revelation, which is the final book of the New Testament. It is a highly symbolic and apocalyptic book, filled with visions and prophecies about the end times. In this particular verse, the focus is on the temple and the holy city, both of which have great significance in the history and theology of Judaism and Christianity.
The verse speaks of a court outside the temple that is to be left out and not measured. This is a reference to the outer court of the temple in Jerusalem, which was considered to be the area where the Gentiles were allowed to worship. The inner court was reserved for the Jewish people. By instructing not to measure this outer court, the verse indicates that it is to be given over to the Gentiles. This is a significant departure from traditional Jewish beliefs and practices and speaks to the radical changes that are prophesied to occur in the end times.
The verse goes on to say that the holy city will be "tread under foot forty and two months." This period of forty-two months is often understood to symbolize a time of trial and tribulation. In biblical numerology, the number forty-two is often associated with testing and judgment. This suggests that during this period, the holy city - typically understood to be Jerusalem - will be under the control and oppression of outside forces.
In the broader context of the book of Revelation, this verse is part of the vision that the apostle John receives of the end times. The book is filled with vivid and symbolic imagery, and this verse is no exception. It is a dire warning of the trials and tribulations that are to come, particularly for the people of the holy city.
The themes of this verse tie into larger themes of judgment, persecution, and the ultimate victory of God. Throughout the book of Revelation, there is a sense of impending doom and destruction, but also of the ultimate vindication of the faithful. The verse speaks to the idea that the holy city - and by extension, the people of God - will face persecution and hardship, but ultimately, God's justice will prevail.
The symbolism of the temple and the holy city in this verse is rich and meaningful. In biblical theology, the temple is a symbol of God's presence and the focal point of worship. By referring to the temple and the holy city, the verse is evoking the core elements of Jewish identity and faith. The idea that these sacred places will be desecrated and oppressed is a powerful and disturbing image, designed to provoke a sense of urgency and concern in the reader.
In conclusion, Revelation 11:2 is a deeply symbolic and evocative verse that speaks to the themes of judgment, persecution, and the ultimate triumph of God. Its imagery of the temple and the holy city being trampled by the Gentiles is a powerful and unsettling vision of the end times. As with much of the book of Revelation, this verse is meant to inspire awe, fear, and ultimately, faith in the ultimate victory of God.
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Revelation 11:2 - "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."
"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." - Revelation 11:2
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