Measuring Out, Marking Off: Rev 11:1-2
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is said to be the hardest book in the entire Bible to interpret; that being said, most commentators agree that Revelation Chapter 11 presents the most problems in it's interpretation. This week, we are going to spend some time with key phrases, words and imagery from that time period.
Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there." Rev 11:1
"Rise and measure" The "reed like a measuring rod" is a tall, tubular reed that grows in the region and was also used as a staff (like a staff, ESV, NASB) and also could be whittled down to be used as a writing instrument (3 John 13). This reed was lightweight, and could grow to a height of 20 feet making it a handy form of measurement. Measurement, at times in the Bible, would refer to ownership (Ezekiel 40-41; Zech 2:1-3) "John's measurement of the temple is a symbolic action. To measure something means to claim it for yourself. (Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament) Today, for instance, we have land surveyed to determine what the property lines are so that there is no dispute as to whom owns what. "It is best to see it as God's measuring off Israel, symbolized by her temple, for salvation and for His special protection, preservation, and favor. The prophecies yet to be given to John will thus distinguish between God's favor toward Israel and His wrath on the pagan world." (John MacArthur, MacArthur NT Commentary – Revelation 1-11)
"The temple of God"--This is quite specific: the temple of God. As mentioned above, Ezekiel 40-41 the measurements are taken--in that case, of what is known as the Millennial Temple. This Millennial Temple will be built and used during the Millennial Kingdom following the Tribulation Period. However, this temple being measured is not the Millennial Temple, and it not Herod's Temple from Jesus' day. It is the Tribulation Temple, but not the entire temple.
"The Tribulation temple will be built early in the first half of the Tribulation under the patronage and protection of Antichrist. Many orthodox Jews today dream of rebuilding their temple, but its site is now occupied (and in the minds of many Jews desecrated) by the Islamic shrine known as the Dome of the Rock. Because Muslims believe it to be the place from which Muhammad ascended to heaven, it is among the most sacred shrines in the Islamic world. For the Jews to wrest that site away from the Muslims and build their temple there would be unthinkable in today's political climate. But during the Tribulation, under the protection of Antichrist (cf. Dan. 9:24-27), they will be able to rebuild the temple." (MacArthur).
The Dome of the Rock is a hyper sacred site to the Muslim. It is the supppsed place where Muhammed ascended into heaven, and is considered by Muslims and some Jews and Christians as the site where Abraham offered up Isaac. In short, Muslims will never give up the Dome of the Rock.
Different lines of thought come up as to what will happen to the Dome of the Rock. Perhaps an earthquake or natural disaster will claim it. It might even be that it might be destroyed by militant Israelis.
It is thought by some commentators that the Temple will be built alongside the Dome of the Rock in a bold move of "tolerance". There is actually room to build the temple on the Temple Mount without displacing the Dome of the Rock; couldn't you see many people that believe in "tolerance" today cheer at the thought?
Temple...Or Something Else?
Temple of God--The term in the original Greek is naos, used of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of holies (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon). Since this is the case, it changes things up a bit as we will see in a moment.
"The altar"--There are two views of what this altar is. McGee notes in his Thru the Bible Commentary:
"The altar" refers to the golden altar of prayer since the altar for burnt offering was not in the temple proper but in the outer court. Even the worshipers are to be measured. John is told to rise and measure, not only the Holy Place and the altar, but also "them that worship therein." God does count the number of those who worship Him.
However, it is more likely that it is the brazen altar in the courtyard outside the temple proper. Why? Worshippers would not be at the altar inside the temple, only priests were allowed access to the altar of prayer. This would be the "Holy Place", as mentioned in the more complete description of the world naos, and those that are worshipping would not be allowed. Lasseigne, in his Unlocking The Last Days commentary, notes that it is more likely that those that are worshipers are outside in front of the brazen altar; they would be conducting sacrifices as they would not have accepted Jesus Christ and were still not saved.
"Those that worship there"--In that day temple worship and sacrifice will be re-instituted. There will be Jews that will ignore the call to sacrifice, yet devout Jews that will do just that. This may well bring the outrage of some, especially extremist animal rights advocates, as being brutal and heartless. But think about this: Jesus died an extremely brutal, bloody death for you on the cross. Bloody animal sacrifices all point to Jesus Christ and the cross, starting with the Passover initiated in the book of Exodus. However, these Jews that are sacrificing outside the Temple will be, in that action, rejecting Christ.
However, these will be devout Jews that do seek God. Unsaved? Yes. However, they are aware of the requirements of a sacrifice for sin and they will be ripe for the Gospel message. They will hear the Good News of Christ from the Two Witnesses, which we will discuss next week; in addition the day will come when Antichrist desecrates the Holy Place with what is called the "Abomination of Desolation" (see Daniel 11:31; 12:11 prequel), will defile that holy place (most likely with the blood of a sow) and call himself God. At this point, Jews by the millions will see that everything in the Jewish religion--the Law, the sacrificial system and Old Testament prophecy--all points to Jesus Christ and the He is the promised Messiah, and come to faith.
Throw It Out...
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. Revelation 11:2 (NKJV)
"Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it"--A better translation would be "throw out the measurement" instead of "leave out". Why?
Because "It has been given over to the Gentiles" (nations; ESV,NASB). "What John did was especially significant because the Gentiles had taken over Jerusalem. Antichrist had broken his agreement with Israel (Dan. 9:27) and now he was about to use the temple for his own diabolical purposes (2 Thes. 2:3-4). All of this will be elaborated in Revelation 13. "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles," said Jesus, "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). The "times of the Gentiles" began in 606 B.C. when Babylon began to devastate Judah and Jerusalem, and it will continue until Jesus Christ returns to deliver the Holy City and redeem Israel (Zech. 14)". (Warren W. Wiersbe)
It is important to note that to "tread...underfoot" does not mean that the city will be destroyed. This only makes sense as we will see in verse 3 and following verses that the Two Witnesses will have a ministry in the "holy city" (Jerusalem) for the entire forty two months (1, 260 days).
Forty two months, 1,260 days equates out to three and a half years which most scholars agree would be the last half of the Tribulation period or the Great Tribulation. The thought of "being trampled under foot" would be more of an occupation than a devastation.
A final word on this passage of Scripture: it's important to remember that God, as we have spoken of in the past, looking at the hearts of men and not at the skin of men. He is about the internals, not the externals. Jesus addressed the same issue, as we have spoken of in a recent devotional; not only was it sin, for instance, to commit adultery but to even have lust in the heart toward someone other than your spouse was the same; hatred the same as murder. God measures the heart of men; it is in the heart where sin is first conceived then acted upon. We cannot go by the notion of "the devil made me do it", or that "I just could not help myself", especially as a believer in Jesus Christ. Sin is a choice that is made, not a situation that takes a person unaware as though they are helpless and defenseless against it. We choose to sin; we do not have to sin.
This being said, we must keep in mind that not only will those that worship outside at the brazen altar here in Revelation 11 being measured, we too will be measured. In salvation, we like Belshazzar in Daniel 5 have been "weighed and found wanting". Without Jesus, we would be in BIG TROUBLE. However, we must also remember that we are measured as Christians as well, and will one day answer for those things we have done at the Bema, the Judgment Seat of Christ.
