Revelation 11
This Vision Continues about the Temple
Chapter 10 and part of 11 are somewhat parenthetical. The 7th trumpet does not sound until Revelation 11:15
(Rev 11:1 NKJV) Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure1 the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
1μετρέω metreō Thayer Definition:
1) to measure, to measure out or off
1a) any space or distance with a measurer’s reed or rule
1b) metaphorically to judge according to any rule or standard, to estimate
I think definition (1b) may help us make better sense of what is happening here. Consider what follows:
(Rev 11:2) "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
Interesting problem: I believe Revelation to have been written about AD 92 to 96. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed about AD 70.
Some sources say that the Jewish people are preparing to rebuild the temple in the near future. What temple was John to measure?
It is apparently a vision in heaven of what will happen on the earth.
(Rev 11:3 NKJV) "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
Let’s look at this time period:
Rev 11:2 “forty-two months.”
Rev11:3 “one thousand two hundred and sixty days,”
(Dan 12:7 NKJV) Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
a time = 1 year
times = 2 years
half = ½ years
Total = 3 ½ years
42 months
3 ½ years
1,260 days
How many ways can you say 3 ½ years? Maybe one more:
(Dan 9:27 NKJV) Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."
“But in the middle of the week!” = 3 ½ days!
If we go back to the day = a year, Then we have:
3 ½ years from middle of the week!” – 3 ½ days!
42 months
3 ½ years (from times, time and half a time.)
1,260 days
I don’t know of another period of time that is described in 4 ways, and all can come back to 3 ½ years.
Back to the Two Witnesses!
(Rev 11:3 NKJV) "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
Who are the two witnesses?
Many like to make them the Old and New Testaments. I say no.
Ø The teaching of the Old and New Testaments is not limited to 3 ½ years.
Ø How are they to be “killed”?
Ø Why would they be taken up to heaven?
Who Could the Two Witnesses Be?
Caution: This is my opinion for what it is worth!
If I can pick two, I would pick Elijah and Moses!
(Mal 4:5 NKJV) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
(Mat 17:10-13 NKJV) And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" {11} Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.
(Mat 17:12) "But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands." {13} Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Clearly John was a type of Elijah. Even his clothing was similar, but that doesn’t mean that Elijah cannot be brought back to life, and testify in Jerusalem.
But what about Moses?
Moses and Elijah may represent the Law and the Prophets.
(Acts 28:23 NKJV) So when they had appointed him [Paul] a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.”
Why these two? Moses was the law giver.
Elijah was one of the great prophets!
They were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration
(Mat 17:3 NKJV) And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Back to Revelation 11:
(Rev 11:4 NKJV) These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
Where can we find information about Olive Trees and Lampstands?
(Zec 4:11-14 NKJV) Then I answered and said to him, "What are these two olive trees; at the right of the lampstand and at its left?" {12} And I further answered and said to him, "What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?" {13} Then he answered me and said, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord." {14} So he said, "These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth."
Do the two anointed ones = my two witnesses?
Why do we go to Zephaniah 4?
It is the only other chapter in the Bible that makes reference to two Olive Trees!
(Zec 4:3) says: "Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left."
(Rev 11:5 NKJV) And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.
A foretaste of God’s final judgment is mixed in with their prophetic ministry. It was also a form of defense for the witnesses so they could complete their mission.
They have other special powers:
(Rev 11:6 NKJV) These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
“These have power to shut heaven,” This reminds me of Elijah
“they have power over waters to turn them to blood” – Reminds me of Moses and the plagues!
and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
(Rev 11:7 NKJV) When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
God allows even these two special witnesses to be killed.
This is the first reference to the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit.
(Rev 11:8 NKJV) And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Look at the Description:
Sodom – Evil! Homosexuality
Egypt – Bondage
But where are we?
Jerusalem!
where also our Lord was crucified.
(Rev 11:9-10 NKJV) Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. {10} And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
The entire description is summed up by the NIV:
Rev 11:10, “The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them”
“peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies” -- How? Television maybe?
But their joy is short lived!
(Rev 11:11-14 NKJV) Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. {12} And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. {13} In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. {14} The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
The Third Woe is coming!
The Seventh Trumpet is about to sound!
Man may laugh at God, but not for long!