Revelation Lesson #11 Series

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.