A thorough study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass. (Rev. 1:1)
Welcome to our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John.
I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we continue our study in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, as given to John, we begin in chapter 11.
In the beginning of this vision, John sees a man use a reed to measure the temple in Jerusalem. We have read a similar vision by Zechariah in the old testament.
Zechariah 2:1-2. 2 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
John also sees a vision of a command for him to use a reed to measure the temple of God and the altar in the New Jerusalem. Rev. 11:1. 11 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.
Each prophet was to know the size of Jerusalem; ‘to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.’ The vision of John includes the number who worship there. The temple was the building but the altar was without the building; in front of the entrance. Under the old law, this was where the children of God came to offer their sacrifices. Some would call it the temple mound. It was corresponding to the tabernacle and the courtyard surrounding it with all the articles of worship.
The angel speaking to Zechariah did the measuring of Jerusalem. Zechariah found out God–the Lord–would protect Jerusalem. Would it be without walls necessary for protection? The book of Nehemiah is written about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. However, Zechariah is told it will be without walls. Zechariah 2:4-5. …Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: 5 For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
The New Jerusalem will be inhabited ‘roundabout’ as was the earthly Jerusalem. The people lived, for a time, in peace, for God dwelt there in the temple with them. The New Jerusalem will, likewise, be inhabited ‘roundabout’ because no fear of harm shall be in Heaven.
Rev. 21:7-8. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. No evil shall be found in Heaven. All the saints shall live in joy and peace.
In measuring the Holy City Jerusalem, John was told to only measure the temple; exclude the outer court where the Gentiles are found. Rev. 11:2. 2 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.
This numbering and measuring of people and area included in the holy area of the temple is for the saints only; perhaps the righteous Jews. (Rev. 7:1-8) This appears to be just before the end of time on earth; before the judgment. (Rev. 14:1-5) The Gentiles are allowed to ‘tread under foot’ the outer court. The phrase ‘tread under foot’ is to imply ‘treat with insult and contempt: to desecrate the holy city by devastation and outrage’
Later we will read of a war called Armageddon. (Rev. 16:16) Gentiles, evil men, with Satan will try to overthrow God and His army to destroy Jerusalem. However, this does not seem to be the only explanation for these verses. Satan and evil Gentiles have already trodden under foot the earthly Jerusalem and destroyed the city building Muslim mosques and idols there. This seems probable as we next read of a time duration for this to happen.
Rev. 11:2. …[T]he holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Forty And Two Months
What about the forty-two months related in Rev. 11:2? Let us turn to Daniel. Daniel chapter 12. 12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Could this be the gathering of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8)? Notice the angel tells Daniel that Michael the Archangel shall stand up, ‘the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:’ (vs. 1) ‘Thy people’ would be Judah, Daniel’s people; the Hebrew nation.
Daniel 12:3-4. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
‘[S]eal the book, even to the time of the end.’ These things are prophesied for the ‘end of time’. The last vision Daniel saw was to comfort him to know what would take place at the end of time.
Does the forty-two months indicate a duration of time, known only to God in His realm of eternity, to complete the wrath and judgment of unrighteous man?
Possible second meaning. This meaning seems to be a relation to the period of time from the vision given to Daniel until the time of Christ. Jerusalem was trodden under foot by many Gentiles for several years until God caused peace to reign so to usher in the birth of Christ.
Let us turn to Daniel 8:13-27 to see if we can determine a second meaning to the forty-two months. 13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. 18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. 27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
In Daniel’s vision, a number is given; 2,300 days. It is the duration given ‘concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?’ (vs. 13) Notice included in this vision and duration of time the daily sacrifice was still in order; the transgression of desolation was to happen; and, the time of the Gentiles to trod under foot the sanctuary–temple court. 2,300 days divided by 30 days/month equals 76 ? months or 6+ years. This is almost double the 42 months or 1260 days. Could it include both periods told unto Daniel until the time of Christ the first time and the vision told unto John including the return of Christ the second time?
This duration of time for Daniel’s knowledge is more likely from the time Daniel heard the vision until the desecration of the Altar by Rome. Antiochus IV, king of Syria, captured Jerusalem in 167 BC and desecrated the temple and altar of the Jewish God.
Daniel’s vision includes more to happen before the end; different king [dom]s are to be on the earth. Then Satan will stand against the ‘Prince of princes’--Christ the Lord. ‘[T]he vision of the evening and the morning’ which was told is true. (vs. 26) (evening and morning–a duration of time to fulfill this vision based upon God’s eternity and His discretion. It is not a literal time as we understand time in our realm; it represents a beginning and an end of this event)
In this vision recorded by Daniel lets us see the time allotment is not literal; it is based on eternity and is a duration of time to complete the task for God. However, we can relate this time allotment to other time indicators to see the difference in the duration of the compared events. (each event is either longer or shorter than another)
A Second Mentioning of Forty and Two Months
The same time duration of the events for the Gentiles to ‘trod under foot’ the temple court is given to Satan’s Beast to ‘speak[] great things and blasphemies’. Rev. 13:5. 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. More on chapter 13 later.
It does appear the 2300 days mentioned to Daniel includes a duration of time allotted for the Gentiles to ‘trod under foot the temple court and holy city Jerusalem both after Daniel’s vision until Jesus and for the time before the very end of time on earth.
TWO WITNESSES
Rev. 11:3. 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
[A] thousand two hundred and threescore days; (42 months) The same time for the Gentiles to tread under foot the outer court. Similar time told Daniel for the duration of the time from his death until the coming of the Abomination of Desolation spoken to Daniel. (which Jesus spoke about to his Apostles, Mt. 24)
From the death of Daniel until Jesus was a greater time than 1335 days; over 400 years. Again, this is a relative time only God can use and know. However, we can make a comparison to duration one against the other.
If we are nearing the end, and we can calculate the days until the end, from the ascension of Jesus back to heaven until now, we are near 2000 years–not 42 months–1260 days. Therefore, again, these time indicators cannot be literal physical but an indication for us to understand comparing one duration of event to another.
At a certain time, known only to God, He will send out his two witnesses for a short time to prophesy in sackcloth. We do not know who they are, do we?
As we see the time indication for the witnessing for righteousness to mankind by these two witnesses, we see the same time allotment except written in a different format: 1260 days instead of 42 months. However, it is one in the same (1266 days/30 days per month = 42 months)
Who are these witnesses? Rev. 11:4. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Zechariah sees these same entities; two olive trees and a candlestick. Zechariah 4:1-3. 4 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
What does Zechariah’s olive trees and candlestick tell us about the identity of John’s entities in his vision? Zechariah asked the angel speaking to him concerning these olive trees: Zechariah 4:12-14. 12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Zechariah 4:14 they are anointed by God to stand by the Lord of the earth and, Rev. 11:3 & 4 they are the two witnesses standing before the God of the earth.
These two witnesses are performing a specific duty for the Lord; witnessing for God and for righteousness along with telling God what they witness about mankind. In this task, they are allowed to perform certain tasks for the replenishing of righteousness on the earth. They have powers to perform spiritual activities before mankind.
Rev. 11:5-6. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
These two witnesses have the power (have at their discretion to destroy their enemies, enemies of God; they can stop the rain, turn water to blood, and smite the earth with all plagues) to use at their will.
At their discretion, they can cause it to rain on one and not another. They can cause hardships for the unbeliever. No rain can cause no growth of food causing hardships. God has mentioned He will cause plagues to come upon the ones with the mark of the Beast. This indicates who will administer these plagues at their discretion.
Evil mankind causes pain and hardships upon their enemies–God’s righteous–because they hinder the evil man’s plans of power and wealth. Therefore, these two witnesses for God can return the favor unto the heathen.
Rev. 11:7. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
This beast is a reference to Satan or his beast; he comes from the bottomless pit and has authority to make war. This beast kills God’s two witnesses. Evil minions rejoice in their presumed victory over righteousness.
Rev. 11:8-10. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Near the end, two witnesses, of whom we do not know or recognize now, will become known to every nation, tongue and people. It will become known of their physical death. The wicked of the earth will rejoice and send gifts one to another believing their hardships will be ended. But God shall prevail over wickedness.
Rev. 11:11. 11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
God has all power over all things. Being sovereign, He does at His will. Neither Satan nor any man can overthrow the sovereign will and power of God. God has the power to give life to His son, Jesus, following the attempt of Satan and evil man to kill the physical body; which He did. Many witnesses testified of this gracious and merciful event. (Acts 1:3) God will give life unto these two witnesses to prove His sovereign power over evil mankind.
Scripture said, ‘[G]reat fear fell upon them. (vs. 11)
God called them to heaven. And, they obeyed. Rev. 11:12. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Rev. 11:13. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
‘[T]he same hour’--near the time of the two witnesses ascension; in a very short time; nearly simultaneously, the earth gave a great earthquake and ‘seven thousand’ men were slain. This ‘seven’ means a complete number; thousand means a large number. Therefore, a large number of men were slain; the complete number God desired; unknown to mankind. However, the remaining were affrighted and gave glory to God. Those who remained recognized God and His sovereignty over all things. It does not imply they were all true believers; they might have been undecided.
Woe number two was complete. Rev. 11:14. 14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
As each level of God’s wrath is performed upon evil mankind, it becomes more severe. God has played out His rebukes and disciplines all He desires to turn the hearts of evil mankind. Enough warnings are nearly gone. The next will be the final levels of wrath against evil mankind trying to turn their hearts from Satan unto the Almighty God. Judgment is to follow.
Rev. 11:15-19. 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The seventh angel sounded–the LAST TRUMPET SOUND.
The kingdoms of earth and heaven shall become one. One kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ to reign forever and ever.
The saints who died and were found under the throne along with the twenty and four elders around the throne called over and over unto God how long until the judgment. Now they know that time has come. Rev. 6:10. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Vss. 17-19).
With the completion of this cluster of ‘seven’ trumpets, a complete grouping, the wrath of God is complete and judgment is now at hand.
