Revelation 11:1-2 Transition from Trumpets to Bowls: Temple Measurements

Rev. 11:1   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.  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.

Prayer and Bible Expo

What is given to John?  (11:1)

“a measuring rod like a staff”

Ø  John was given a reed to be used to measure the third temple in Jerusalem. The two rooms to be measured include the holy place and the holy of holies.

·      Ezek. 40:3 So He brought me there; and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze, with a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand; and he was standing in the gateway.  4 The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.”

·      Zech. 2:1   Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.

·      Rev. 21:15   The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall.

What is he told to get up and measure? (11:1)

“the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it”

Ø  The third temple will be in existence during the Great Tribulation, having been rebuilt for resumption of the ordinances prescribed by the Mosaic Law.

What is John told to not measure and what is the reason for leaving it out? (11:2)

Ø  “Leave out the court which is outside the temple . . .” (Rev 11:2).

·      Only priests could enter the two rooms within the temple. However, others could come into the outer court, which John is forbidden to measure, for it was given to the Gentiles and would be trod underfoot for 42 months.

§  Luke 21:24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

§  Is. 52:1  Awake, awake,

Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion;

                                    Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments,

                                    O Jerusalem, the holy city;

                                    For the uncircumcised and the unclean

Will no longer come into you.

How long will the nations tread the holy city under foot?

42 months

Ø  Dan. 7:25 ‘He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

What impresses you about Rev 11:1-2?

At the end of the age, Jerusalem is still the holy city of God.

What do you learn about God from Rev 11:1-2?

God has established epochs of time that cannot be averted.

How could this truth transform your life?

Read God’s prophetic Word with expectation of literal fulfillment in Messiah’s kingdom.

Father,

You are clothed in splendor and majesty, exalted in Your holy, heavenly temple. You chose Jerusalem, the city of the Mighty King, which was consecrated for Your name. Jesus the Messiah will return and establish His kingdom in Jerusalem and He will reign over all the nations in perfect wisdom, power, and righteousness. May He come quickly, bringing peace to Jerusalem. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.