As we go into chapter eleven, we see John is asked to take a rod and measure the temple of God along with the altar and count the worshippers. He is to exclude the outer court and not count it since it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months (3 1/2 years).
There have been questions as to what this temple is. Is it a physical temple or spiritual temple? Many different scholars have said that this is the Millennial temple spoken about in Ezekiel 40:17-19. In the Millennium temple, Jesus will reign here on earth for 1,000 years. Others believe this is the temple where the Antichrist will establish himself as a god according to Daniel 9:27, 11:12, and 12:11. Regardless of which view is accurate, what is known for sure is that the temple will be rebuilt during the Tribulation and that's when things will continue to change.
As we go further into this chapter, we are introduced to the two witnesses who will prophesy for 1,260 days (3 1/2 years) clothed in sackcloth; the two-olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (Zechariah 4:2-3, 11-14). These witnesses are Enoch and Elijah; the only 2 men in the Bible who were taken to heaven without dying. (raptured) These men will have the power to destroy their enemies with fire coming from their mouths, shut up the sky so that it wouldn't rain during their prophesying, turn water into blood and strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. The people of the earth won't know whether they're coming or going while all this is happening.
Once they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes from the Abyss will overtake them and kill them. Their bodies will lay in the street for 3 1/2 days and everyone will see them. In the past, many wondered how this would be possible. They wondered how anybody in the United States could be able to see what was happening in Jerusalem. But thanks to the advancement of technology, we can see anything and anybody from any place in the world at any time. The world will rejoice and not bury them because these witnesses had tormented them. They'll send each other gifts. The conscience of men will be extremely seared at this time. Evil will be running rampant in a way that can't be imagined. To leave two dead bodies out for the world to see is unimaginable.
After 3 1/2 days, the breath of God will enter the witnesses and they will stand up. Terror will fill the people who see this. Then a voice from heaven will say, "Come up here, " and the witnesses will go up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies look on. At that very hour, a severe earthquake will occur and a tenth of the city will collapse. 7,000 people will be killed, and the survivors will give glory to God. This is the second woe that has past, and the third woe is coming soon.
The seventh trumpet sounds and there were loud voices in heaven which said, "The kingdoms of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of HIs Christ. And He will reign forever and ever." If this passage sounds familiar, it's because this is part of the lyrics to Handel Messiah's "Hallelujah." The 24 elders who were seated on thrones around God's throne fell on their faces and worshipped God. Then God's temple in heaven was opened and with His temple was seen the ark of the covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and pleas of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
