![]() ![]() God is therefore not only claiming ownership by this measurement of the Temple and the altar but demonstrating the shortcomings of the worshipers who do not measure up to His standard. Even a person very tall would fall short of the ten-foot measuring rod. It also implies, inasmuch as the reed is ten feet long, that man comes far short of the divine standard. It is saying in effect that God is the judge of man’s worship and man’s character and that all must give an account to Him. For this reason it is most significant that John is instructed to measure not only the Temple and the altar but also the worshipers. Originally constructed for the worship of the Jews and the renewal of their ancient sacrifices, during the great tribulation it is desecrated and becomes the home of an idol of the world ruler (cf. The Temple here is apparently that which will be in existence during the great tribulation. The act of measuring seems to signify that the area belongs to God in some special way. Still another instance is Revelation 21, where the new Jerusalem is measured (21:15-17). ![]() Another instance is found in Ezekiel 40, where the Temple of the future kingdom is carefully measured with a reed. In Zechariah 2, a man is seen measuring Jerusalem, a scene which evidently portrays God’s divine judgment on the city. The explanation given is that this is given to the Gentiles and that the outer court as well as the entire holy city will be under Gentile dominion for forty-two months.Ī number of questions can be raised concerning this symbolic picture. Although John is commanded to measure the Temple and the altar and them that worship therein, he is instructed not to measure the court without the Temple. Only priests could go into the Temple, but others who were not priests could approach the brazen altar with their sacrifices. The altar may be a reference to the brazen altar which was in the outer court although the altar in chapter 8 seems to be the altar of incense. The Temple of God (Gr., naon tou theou) refers to the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, not the outer court of the Temple. This command to measure the Temple of God makes John the actor as well as the observer. It may actually be the voice of God rather than the voice of the angel, if the angel of chapter 10 is not Christ Himself. As there is some question whether the angel actually says this, the phrase “it was said” could be substituted. The introductory phrase, “the angel stood saying,” is not in some manuscripts though found in Victorinus and in the Armenian version. John is instructed to measure the Temple of God, the altar, and them that worship therein. This reed is commonly grown in the Jordan Valley, and because of its light weight it constitutes a good measuring rod. In the opening verse of chapter 11, John is given a reed compared to a rod. 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. The Measuring Rod of God (11:1-2)ġ1:1-2 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. In 11:1-14 there is a continuation of the same subject as in chapter 10. In chapter 15, the chronological developments continue as the contents of the seventh trumpet, namely, the seven vials, are manifested. With the exception of 11:15-19, introducing the seventh trumpet, the narrative does not advance in these chapters and various topics are presented. These major assumptions provide an intelligent understanding of this portion of prophecy even though the possibility of difference of opinion on the part of the reader is taken for granted in some of these judgments.Ĭhapter 11 of the Revelation continues the parenthetical section beginning in chapter 10 and extending through chapter 14. The death of the witnesses is literal as are their resurrection and ascension. The seven thousand men who are slain by the earthquake are seven thousand individuals who die in the catastrophe. The three and a half days are taken literally. The two witnesses are interpreted as two individuals. The time periods are taken as literal time periods. ![]() ![]() Hence, the great city of 11:8 is identified as the literal city of Jerusalem. The guiding lines which govern the exposition to follow regard this chapter as a legitimate prophetic utterance in which the terms are taken normally. Even Alford attempts to spiritualize the city, the temple, and the events portrayed in this chapter. Careful students of the book of Revelation will probably agree with Alford that chapter 11 “is undoubtedly one of the most difficult in the whole Apocalypse.” 208 A comparison of many commentaries will reveal the widest kind of disagreement as to the meaning of this chapter. ![]()
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